Day 8 – Port Hacking
Ahoy there everyone, Welcome to day eight, overnight the ship remained in the stunning Jervis Bay Marine Park at anchor opposite Captains Beach. By 0630 all hands were up on deck conducting an early morning activity as the ship weighed anchor and departed Jervis Bay passing close to Point Perpendicular as the ship shaped a course north under fore and aft sails following the Shoalhaven Coast. Morning brief, happy hour and then rope races were conducted in the forenoon under a beautiful clear sky and slight swell. After lunch I assessed Captains Setting and Furling Drills, these drills are designed to evaluate each watch in their ability to safely set and furl sails without compromising their own or the team’s safety in preparation for Command Day. It was with great satisfaction that each watch successfully completed safely handling the designated sails, displaying high standards of teamwork, communication, knowledge and leadership.Then the ship was tacked for one final time before all sails were handed in and the ship proceeded to a sheltered anchorage in Port Hacking adjacent the Royal National Park at 1720. After a superb dinner by Chef Bryan it was time for the Youth Crew to elect their Command Team, results now known, the Young Endeavour will be in the capable hands of Youth Captain Thomas Bagnall and his team as of 0900 tomorrow. After witnessing a magnificent sunset the Youth Crew gathered on the upper decks for a special movie, depicting a very similar young man who in 1929 sailed around Cape Horn on one of the last Tall Ship cargo vessels. Many similarities and comparisons could be drawn 80 years later with our own band of young adventurers.So after another very busy day, the Youth Crew have settled into their anchor watches for the night, hopefully achieving a good night’s rest in anticipation and preparation for tomorrow’s commencement of Command Day.Our last eight days at sea had seen significant developments in the overall journey of our young adventurers. As a team have progressed enormously both individually and collectively, while today has been a watershed day for many as they assumed more predominant roles, pro-actively seeking information and responsibility as they gained confidence with their own abilities, surroundings and fellow shipmates as the voyage continues to gain momentum. The intention is to remain at anchor overnight prior to weighing in the afternoon for the adventure and challenge that is Command Day in Young Endeavour. Until tomorrow evening.Yours ayeCaptain Damien
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
2300 at anchor - Weather Scattered Cloud, Wind NW 17 knots, Swell Nil, Temperature 19 degrees, Barometer 1009 hpa
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Thank you Tarvi, Kaeden and Matt for your narrative of today's events. Intentions are to remain at anchor in Hunters Bay, just off HMAS Penguin, home of the RAN Diving School, a place close to my heart, having spent many a day there under training as a young Officer! The plan is to weigh anchor and proceed to HMAS Waterhen, in Waverton, to pick up our Community Day Sailors from the Windgap Foundation and take them for a sail around the harbour for 3 hours. The Youth Crew will help us host our visitors and give them an experience of Young Endeavour. We will drop them back to Waverton and then proceed to anchor in the harbour where we will have a good view of the Bridge and the Opera House for the Youth Crew's last night onboard. Until tomorrow. Yours Aye, Captain Mike