Wilderness

Hi Everyone,Welcome to day seven of our voyage. Our first night in a sheltered anchorage was a glorious change from the last 5 nights at sea. Everyone slept soundly and there was a definite spring in everyone’s step when Guv woke us at 0645 and got us up on deck and walking around. He then gave us the news that the EMA was going to be a swim and the first opportunity for the new crew to test out the rope swing. The water temp was fresh and ‘invigorating’ but it was worth it to get to use the rope swing. Most of the crew had a dip. Once the ‘big pool’ was closed we had bread rolls, freshly baked by Marcus, with bacon and eggs on deck, cooked on the BBQ for breakfast.At 0800 we held the traditional ceremony of Colours, during which the Australian National Flag, at the bow, and the Australian White Ensign, at the stern, are raised in unison, after eight bells on the Ship’s bell followed by the ‘Still’ blown on the Bosun’s Call. The ceremony is concluded with the piping of the ‘Carry-on’ on the Bosun’s Call. We also sang the national anthem as the flags were hoisted. This was followed by the Morning Brief. While the crew got on with Happy Hour the Staffies weighed anchor and piloted the Ship into the channel just out of Bramble Cove, where Brett, the engineer, and I conducted ‘Captain’s Setting and Furling, which is a competency assessment of the Watches’ ability to undertake these activities safely and to the standard required to be able to progress to Command Day. I am pleased to say that all three watches were at a very high standard.The Ship then undertook the passage towards Bathurst Harbour, skilfully piloted by Navigator Evan and supported by Watch Officer Harry. About half way towards Bathurst Harbour we anchored the Ship in the bay west of Joan Point. Lunch had been enjoyed during the passage as the watches rotated through the café. The breathtaking scenery along the passage was enjoyed by all on the upper decks.Once secured at anchor we put the two Ship’s boats in the water and ferried the crew the remaining distance to Bathurst Harbour. Each watch were dropped ashore on a small wharf at Clayton’s Corner for a leg stretch to climb to a small nearby peak for a photo op of the Harbour. All of the watches were back onboard by 1800 to enjoy another of Marcus’ fabulous meals. This time we had a choice of chillied pork-belly or macadamia nut encrusted baked lamb backstrap. This was followed up by a tiramisu dessert. Just what we needed after many hours on the water today!After dinner I conducted the Command Day Brief which was followed by Command Day Elections. On completion Youth Captain Ash Mills visited me and gave me the results of the elections. It is planned that we will remain at anchor overnight, weighing and getting underway at 0800 tomorrow. I will hand control of the Ship to Captain Ash at 1300 tomorrow for 24 hours.Until tomorrow,Yours ayeCaptain Mike
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Weather - fine, Wind - westerly at 5 kn, Swell - nil, Temp - 16 deg. C
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Hi Everyone, Welcome to Day 9 of our voyage. Following a busy night of sail plan changes and early morning tacks the Youth Crew made their final waypoint at 0945 this morning which was a major achievement having safely sailed the ship all the way from Prosser Bay to the entry to Port Arthur. On achieving their final waypoint the Staff Crew took over and conducted a pilotage into Port Arthur coming safely to anchor at 1045. Once at anchor the Youth Crew set about completing the rest of their outstanding tasks prior to handing the ship back to the Staff Crew at 1300. With Command Day successfully completed the Youth Crew were ferried ashore early this afternoon where they completed the Command Day Debrief with all agreeing that it had been a challenging and rewarding experience. To finish the afternoon’s activities the Youth Crew were given a guided tour of the Historical Port Arthur Settlement before returning to the ship for another one of Chef Haydon’s fantastic dinners. That’s enough from me I will now handover to Jade, Lochie and Sophie who have done a wonderful job of writing tonight’s Log. Until tomorrow, take care. Captain Gav The last 13 hours of Command Day proved to be very chaotic. We started the day at sea with unideal sailing weather – cold and dark with minimal winds. From 0001, we continued our course from Orford to our final way point of Port Arthur whilst keeping our usual overnight watches. On the guts, Red Watch successfully tacked the ship without needing to wake up anyone else – a mighty fine feat! The Whiteys (On ya Whitey’s!!) and the Blueys also had hectic watches setting and furling many, many sails. Then began the 0530 tacks… All youthies were up before the sun to the call of “Attention all Youthies - all hands to tacking stations. Standby to tack the ship!” over the pipes. Within 6 minutes, all youthies were harnessed and up on deck ready to execute our first tack to attempt passing the notoriously difficult to sail, Tasman Island. After a successful tack, and after a big few hours, brekky was an essential! Master Chefs Aria, Anna and Tiff cooked up a storm worth stowing (in our bellies!) of pancakes, waffles and a feast of fruits which fuelled us for the rest of Command Day and the rest of the Command Day tasks that lay ahead. At 0605, we caught the first light of day touching the tops of the Tasman Island cliffs off our starboard side – ahhh what a sight to see! After another two tacks to set us on our final bearing to Port Arthur, the Youthie Command Crew held an awesome, but a little sleep deprived, morning brief featuring some naughty nautical yarns, nefarious nav brief - “sunscreen or die, hydrate or die”, and the one and only woman who makes the sea seasick, Captain Paige, with the inspiring quote “If you believe in yourself, then you’ve already done half the work”. By 1015 we had successfully made it to our final way point at Port Arthur! We weighed anchor and ate a delicious Aussie-themed barbeque lunch cooked by our awesome master chefs before jumping into Chucky’s favourite hour of the day – Happy Hour! This was then followed by the Captain’s Hand-over Ceremony where the ship was returned to the staffies in a somewhat pristine condition. Keen to get ashore, the youthies jumping in the sea boats to speed ashore for a guided tour of Port Arthur where we learned lots about the historic values of the area and the tragedies that were experienced during the 1800s. Back on the boat, the Staffies held a Command Day debrief where we achieved almost 2 handed thumbs-up for all our completed tasks. A fantastic achievement for the Youthie Crew of V03/23!! With the fantastic Haydo back in the kitchen, we were in for an infamous meal of chicken Penang curry, baked salmon, steak and roasted vegetables followed by golden syrup dumplings with butterscotch syrup sauce and ice cream. Jeez he spoils us! Also a shoutout to my not-so-little, little brother, Hugh. You’re going to love V04/23 mate! Good luck squeezing into your bunk ;) xoxo Lochie. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store! This is Jade, Lochie, and Sophie signing off!!

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