Captain's Log
V14/13
9 August 2013

DAY 10 – HALF DAY SAIL

Ahoy there Shipmates, A well deserved night’s rest in the Hobsons Bay anchorage was had by all. I think everyone onboard slept very soundly and for good reason, most were exhausted from Command Day. That didn’t stop Sail Master Paul from waking us up early with one of his Retro tunes. We had a busy program for today hence we needed to weigh anchor proceed alongside Seaworks Worshop Jetty, Williamstown where we would pick up our Half Day sailors. Breakfast was followed by a snappy Morning Brief and then the Staffies got the Ship underway and heading up across to our berth while youth crew conducted Happy Hour and helped Chef Luke prepare the finger-food lunch we would share with our guests. We berthed at the Seaworks Workshop Jetty at 0900 and embarked 14 half-day sailors from the Shepparton Access and 13 from the Ashwood School. Family and friends of the Staffies also added to the guest list. The Seaworks Maritime Precinct was buzzing when we arrived with 4 other Tall Ships already berthed there. The crowds were building on the wharves as the other Ships were open to the public from 1000 to 1600. We departed the wharf at 1000 and spent the next 3 hours sailing around the northern end of Port Phillip Bay. We set fore and afts, Topsail and Top Gallant making the best of the light winds to show our visitors what it’s like to sail a Tall Ship. During the 3 hours the Youth Crew hosted the visitors, conducting tours of the Ship, involving them in setting and furling sails and generally spending time with them. We berthed back at the Workshop Jetty at 1300 and farewelled our guests. Once we’d done a quick tidy-up of the Ship the Youthies helped to store ship for the next voyage. When that was completed it was time for the final edition of ‘Ropies’ after which we conducted the harbour-furl of the square sails. To achieve this all of the Youth Crew proceeded aloft on the yards to fold-up the sails and then stow them inside their UV covers. This was followed by end-of-voyage chats facilitated by watch leaders and conducted in watches. The Youth Crew then completed some end-of-voyage paperwork, after which Luke treated us to a pizza night! After dinner the Youthies sang a fantastic song about the voyage and then we all viewed a slide show depicting the voyage, which was composed by Sophie Arthur and Michael Holder. We then encouraged everyone to ‘hit the sack’ after a long exhausting day! Until tomorrow, Yours Aye Captain Mike

Latitude/Longitude:

37°51's / 144°54'e

Conditions:

Alongside Seaworks Precinct - Weather: fine Wind: easterly 5 knots Swell: nil Temperature: 14 deg. C