Voyage 7/13 Day 3 – At Sea

G’day Shipmates,Welcome to day 3 of our adventure under sail. The ship continued motor-sailing north overnight along the NSW coast. The wind remained light and variable and the swell was negligible through the night. This was fortuitous as it is giving our new crew members a chance to get their sea legs before we strike any bigger seas. Overnight the crew focussed on getting a handle on their watch duties. These include helmsman, lookouts and doing weather observations and engineering rounds, all essential things to keep the Ship running 24/day.With the rising of the sun, the promise of a new day and a cheerful Wakey Wakey song (attached below) from Red Watch, who had the morning watch, the remainder of the crew awoke after their first night at sea in Australia’s National Sail Training Ship.After another of Squizy’s spectacular breakfasts (including porridge, cereals, fresh tropical fruit and fresh-baked chocolate croissants and scrolls!) we gathered on the bridge for the morning brief. Today the crew heard from ‘Salty the Sea-Dog (Paul) who explained why the ‘Dog Watches’ are split. ‘Nana Diesel’ (Sumo) also made her first appearance, giving tips on shipboard hygiene and cleanliness. She then taught the youthies the first of her nautical songs ‘Crabs and Seashells’ which provided a lead-in to the much-loved Happy Hour. On completion the crew received a briefing from Paul on the nautical Rule of the Road. This provided a basic level of knowledge of collision avoidance, which is training necessary for Command Day.After lunch we kicked off the first round of Rope Races (Sumo the engineer’s favourite). This activity is a competition between the watches to test their retention of ship knowledge on a variety of topics such as safety equipment, parts of the fore-and-aft and the square sails. Next Tim the Navigator gave the crew a briefing on Navigation, another important Command Day topic. This was followed by a brief and practice in setting and clewing-up the square sails. By 1500 all three squares, Top Gallant, Topsail and the Course were set.Unfortunately, shortly afterwards, it was necessary to commence clewing-up and sea-furling the squares because the wind backed and abated to less than 10 knots. This was completed by all three watches before they broke for dinner. On completion of sea-furling the Course the reddies furled the Jib and then closed-up on watch on the bridge, just long enough to hand over to the whities who had the Last Dog watch (1800 – 2000). The Ship was now settled into watches for another night of motor-sailing northwards.The intention is to remain at sea again overnight continuing to make good ground towards Brisbane. It is planned to spend a night at anchor at Coffs Harbour on Thurday.Yours AyeCaptain MikePS. I have been attaching photos to my log entries but they take about 12 hours to appear so don’t forget to check my previous log entries for this voyage (07/13). RED WATCH WAKEY WAKEY SONG – TUE 30 APRAwimaway Awimaway Awimaway Awimaway,In the ocean, the mighty oceanThe youth crew sleep tonightIn the ocean, the mighty oceanThe sky has come alight.Aweeeee AweeeeeIn Newcastle, good old NewcastleWe did set asailIn Newcastle, good old NewcastleThe main we did unbrail.Aweeeee AweeeeeRise my darlings, don’t snooze my darlingsRelieve us faithful whitesRise my darlings, don’t snooze my darlingsWhile blue watch dream of kites.Aweeeee A Pomba Pumba Wee   “