COMMAND DAY CONCLUDES

Ahoy there everyone,We had settled into the night watches with over 20 knots of wind and with so much speed, the navigator had us on a tight reign when it came to being on course. All was good until the wind stopped! With a lull in the wind, we dramatically lost all of our sail power. We were dead in the water so to speak but our bodies were feeling just as ‘dead’ too. What to do with no wind? We drifted around until our bow was heading in the direction we wanted and then we started to set the square sails. We gained monument slowly and with every 0.1 of a knot we smiled more and more. By the time we reached 0.9 Knots there were tears of happiness.We were moving once more but if we could make our final way point was another question. The Nav was working over time to ensure no more distance was covered than required along with the Sail Master working to get out as much sail as the variable wind direction would allow, yes, we were moving� but the waiting for a gust of wind became increasingly unbearable. Regardless of the tough mental conditions, the Youthies with their last amount of courage set about finishing the tasks at hand. Finally to the joy of all on board, our count down to the waypoint was almost complete, as we were within a single Nautical Mile from the target destination. We finally reached it with not even five minutes to spare! We raced to furl the sails and climb to the skies to complete the last task of all – the whole Youth Crew to be aloft at once. We sat on the yards with a smile on our faces as the crucial deadline of 1300 passed by us. We had completed the tasks and the relief was evident. How well we passed was yet to be revealed�With a unanimous sigh of relief from the Youthies, the ship was officially handed back to the Staff at 1340. Following some well deserved rest and a dip in the “pool”, we dined on delicious pizza and ice-cream and enjoyed a jolly ol’ dance off before the de-brief. We asked one by one of the staff if the given tasks had been completed to the set standard. To our relief and delight we had passed. Our euphoria could not be contained; the satisfaction of completing such a monumental goal is nothing less than amazing.We all embarked on the Young Endeavour nine days ago, we shared all the same common emotions – we were all scared, apprehensive and feeling a bit lost. By the eight day we had found our feet and made the ship ours with the understanding of how to sail. Our minds have been crammed with information more than at the end of school exam. However unlike most exams, we actually put into practice what we had learned and we all “Dared to Dream” in order to achieve our goals.As a team and on an individual level, we have all learnt so much about both our companions and ourselves. We have all become stronger and older in ways that are hard to explain but easier to comprehend. We will all look back on this as an adventure – the adventure that we mastered and that started our next.So with our Anchorage in Corio Bay just near Geelong, the reality that this voyage may end is fast hitting home. With our new made friends, family and stories to tell I am sure we will be talking about it for years to come.Our goal for tomorrow is for a selection of guests to come onboard and see some of what the Young Endeavour is all about. With a full day of sailing ahead, I am sure we will all be kept on our feet busy; as we have learnt, this ship does not sail itself.Thanks to all the crew (Staff and Youth) for making this all an experience and a day for us to remember forever and ever.Yours aye for the final time.Youth Captain Kirsty