Captain's Log

Jun-16

23 March 2016

Voyage 06/16 Day 4

Ahoy there Shipmates,

Overnight the Ship continued to make ground to the north towards Port Stephens. The wind freshened to 20 knots during the middle watch which made for some exciting sailing. Sail was handed-in during the morning watch as we approached the coast and engines were started for the entry into Port Stephens.

We anchored off the Nelson Bay Marina at 0830. That was followed by Morning Brief, Happy Hour and then I think I saw every member of the youth crew lining up in the cafÃ© for some lunch. The first time I had seen this since lunch on Sunday before we sailed out of Sydney Harbour. Some faces I hadnâ€™t seen much of at all!

The first round of Rope Races was conducted at 1230. This is a game designed to improve the youth crewâ€™s knowledge of the ship, the sails, the lines (ropes) used to manipulate the sails and the important equipment on the upper decks in a healthy inter-watch competition. Points are scored each round and a prize will be awarded to the winning watch on the last day of the voyage. This was followed by a Navigation Brief given by Kyle and covered the theoretical aspects the crew will need to know for Command Day. They will have opportunities over the next two days at sea to gain practical experience of navigation.

The youth crew proceeded ashore by boat at 1330 for a leg-stretch and the opportunity to get a coffee and a slice of cheesecake. Many took advantage of the local beach and had a leisurely swim. Everyone returned onboard by 1600 looking relaxed and re-vitalised. After a quick climb to the lower top, for those interested, we all and enjoyed a â€˜Teak Deck BBQ on the upper decks, taking in the sights of Nelsons Bay whilst enjoying some more of Jenkoâ€™s delicious food. I was given an apron and allowed to cook the steak and the lamb chops!

Dinner was followed by an activity called â€˜three-way chatsâ€™. The youth crew are split into groups of three, one member from each watch, and they have to learn things about each other so that they can speak for 3 minutes but they donâ€™t find out which member of their group they will talk on until immediately beforehand. It is a great opportunity for the youth crew to learn more about each other and try out some public speaking.

It is intended to remain at anchor overnight, departing the anchorage tomorrow to conduct the remaining at-sea activities required to fully-prepare the Youth Crew for Command Day.

Until tomorrow.

Yours Aye,

Captain Mike

PS. Mary wishes her sister Liz a happy 28th birthday for tomorrow.

Latitude/Longitude:

32 43.0 South / 152 08.6 East

Conditions:

At the anchorage in Nelsons Bay: light and variable winds; Nil waves or swell; 19 deg C; fine and clear

AUTHOR: Commanding Officer STS Young Endeavour

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V03/23

01 February 2023

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V03/23

31 January 2023

Day 3 – Port Davey

Hi Everyone, Welcome to Day 3 of our voyage. It’s been an action packed day with plenty of activities and a chance to climb a mountain and admire some spectacular scenery in the beautiful Port Davey which would have to be one of the most remote parts of our wonderful country and a place that we on board Young Endeavour feel privileged to visit. That’s enough from me I will now handover to youthies Summer and Tiff who have done a wonderful job of writing tonight’s Log. Until tomorrow, take care. Captain Gav Ahoy there from Summer and Tiff, Day 3 starts off in the early hours of the morning where night watches commenced for the first time on the voyage. As advised, the Youthies take their sea sick tablets for the busy and exciting watch ahead, but the excitement was short lived for some of our Youthies. Paper bags and the open ocean became almost everyone’s best friend, with stomachs turning, even with the help of the sayo biscuits to try and keep it down, we all raced to a spot on the side of the ship to throw up. Red watch started at 23:45, making our way from Quarantine Bay through the rough seas aiming to complete over 110 nautical miles to get to our anchorage for the night. Within five minutes of the watch, heads were out the side of the boat with Matty and Evan telling us to clip our harnesses on the railing so we don’t fall in, and to be honest with you all, all we were concentrating on was not to throw up which was proven difficult. After watch was up, it was a very quiet breakfast as most of us Youthies were sleeping. Once almost everyone was awake, the morning briefing was called where we completed our first rope races, where of course, red watch won. The rope races finished and the not so happy, Happy Hour began where us Youthies cleaned up the lower deck, well, tried too. The constant swaying of the ship began to arise the Youthies from the lower deck up to Mid Ships where designated spots for throwing up awaited us. At 13:00 we arrived at Port Davey in much calmer seas where we anchored. A short briefing was held and we were advised that we were to be taken into shore for the first time on this voyage. Salty sea puppies, turned into tree huggers once we arrived to shore. A quick game of red light green light was played, conducted by Chucky while we were waiting for the other youthies to arrive from the ship to shore. As everyone decided we all wanted to go for a hike, we made our way up Milner Mountain where we took in the breathtaking scenery from the top and took some happy snaps for well-made memories. Once we recovered from the hike, we all went into the water up to our knees and we then made our way back to the ship where Haydo, Hoppy and Captain Gav had cooked up a storm on the BBQ. With everyone’s stuffed bellies, anchor briefs were mentioned and the 3 way chats got everyone laughing to end the night off for activities, still with anchor watches throughout the night. And a special mention to Shaun, as he said we have to put his name in so we get chocolate. Shoutout to Mum, Dad, Tyler, Lachie and fam, as well as Mum, Garry, Brandi, Curtis and fam, we both miss you a lot. Fair winds and following seas, Summer and Tiff

V03/23

30 January 2023

Day 2 – Quarantine Bay

Hi Everyone, Welcome to Day 2 of our voyage. After a good night’s sleep the the Young Endeavour Crew woke to an overcast but fine morning in the beautiful Quarantine Bay. Following an Early Morning Activity (EMA) at 0630, Big Breakfast then Morning Brief the Youth Crew were mustered on deck where they were given a comprehensive harness and climbing brief before all of them successfully climbed to the topgallant yard which is our highest yard on the foremast which was a fantastic effort by all. At 1330 we departed our anchorage then commenced our transit south through the picturesque D’Entrecasteaux Channel. During this transit the Youth Crew spent time with their Watch Leaders practicing setting and furling of sails and learning what the many sheets, tacks, halyards and many other lines/ropes on board Young Endeavour do. Once proficient with their sail work the ship was brought under fore and aft sail and we completed our first set of tacks as a crew which went extremely well. On completion of the last tack we reduced sail and then proceeded below to enjoy another one of Chef Haydo’s fantastic dinners. With our stomachs full, everyone again mustered back on deck for Teresa’s Safety Equipment Brief which was the final activity for the day. The time is now 2045 and we are just departing the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Overnight the Youth Crew will settle into their watch routine as we round Southeast Cape and continue to make good speed to Port Davey which is planned to be our next anchorage. Until tomorrow, take care Captain Gav

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Voyage 06/16 Day 4

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