Ahoy Year 3!

Situation at 20:00- Last night was spent quietly at anchor off Noosa. All hands had a chance to catch up on sleep as the Ship gently rocked back andforth to her cable. At 06:30 all hands were piped on deck for a light jog and some activities designed to get the blood flowing. It was a briskstart to the day but all hands got into the spirit of things and were off to breakfast in no time at all. At morning brief NavigatorKirsten noted that the ‘Spewometer’ was now reading zero. There was great rejoicing. The Salty sea dog had an especially hilariousdescription of a nautical term. This one involved a Monkey and early navigation techniques. There were few items sculling for Engineer Stewy to collect for his scran bag. Those few guilty culprits he didfind made up in the quality of the singing what was missing in the quantity. Morning brief concluded with Happy Birthday being sung forMana- many happy returns on your 23rd. Happy hour was efficiently completed by 09:30 when morning tea was served. This was followed by round two of Rope Races. The Blue Watch are still in the lead butWhite and Red are not far behind. The next activity was an exercise designed to highlight the importance of effective communications when working in a group setting. The Youth Crew were divided into three groups and required to use different communications mediums to pass directions regarding a task they had been assigned. This proved to be a valuable experience that will be of use as the voyage progresses.At 11:00 we weighed anchor and sailed out of Laguna Bay. After lunch, XO Paige delivered a lecture on how to set and clew up the square sails. Next it was time for demonstrational androtational tacks. This is a series of tacks that gives each watch the opportunity to see what the other watches do when the Ship tacks. It also gives each individual the chance to sit with Captain John and observe the Ship tacking. By the end of this activity the process of tacking the Ship was de-mystified, somewhat, and the Youth Crew had gained a better appreciation of the nuances involved in changing the direction of the Ship. The last activitity of the day was the showing of a video of a square-rigger rounding Cape Horn in 1929. This is the only known footage of its kind and is truely amazing. The Youth Crew now have a greater appreciation for the creature comforts we enjoy onboard YOUNG ENDEAVOUR.Tonight the Youth Crew will conduct the major team building exercise of the voyage. Without assistance from the Staff Crew theywill have to complete a relatively complex task within a time limit. They will need to use cooperation, tolerance and effectivecommunications if they are to be successful.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Fact File: Between 01 September and 05 December, the Ship will undergo the most extensive refit she has everhad. There will be significant work carried out on the living spaces and engine room. The propeller shafts will be replaced and the main mast will be pulled out for refurbishing. The hull and superstructurewill be given new coats of paint and a large amount of the rigging will be replaced. The work completed during the refit will see theShip well equipped to meet the challenges of the next several years of voyaging.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Glossary: Ratlines- The ladder like slats of wood attached to the foremast shrouds and used to climb aloft. They permit access to the yards and the upper and lower Tops. Footropes-Lines suspended under the yards and used to stand on when working aloft on the square sails. Thought of the Day:Man is tough. Nothing- war,grief,hopelessness, despair- can last as man himself can last. Man himself will prevail over all his anguishes, provided he will make the effort to stand erect on his own feet by believing in hope and in his owntoughness and endurance. William Faulkner.Yours, AyeJohn CowanLCDR, RANA special hello and ahoy to a great little year three class at Bli Bli. Before setting sail, I promised to do my best to keep in contact with them and to let them know that one of their favourite teachers (ha, ha) has not fallen overboard during her time at sea. While onboard I have been so busy learning lots of new things about sailing and working hard with my new friends and I cant wait to see you all again soon so that I can share some of my tales, show you my photosand teach you a few fancy sea shanty’s too. Keep an eye on our classroom mailbox, as there may be some exciting mail arriving in the next few days. I hope you are all well and looking after yourselves,and most importantly being the fantastic and well behaved students that we all know you are. I will see you all very soon. From MissNorris.