Captain's Log

V20/16 Esperance (WA) to Adelaide (SA)

21 December 2016

Day Eleven – Alongside Port Adelaide

Hi Everyone,
Following another early morning wake up call and an Early Morning Activity (EMA) the anchor was weighed at 0715 and we commenced our long pilotage up the Port Adelaide River to the Inner Harbour where we berthed at Dock 2â€™s, Berth 15 at 0850.
Once alongside 11 days of garbage was off loaded and final preparations made for our guests. At 0930 we welcomed 30 Community Day Sail guests onboard, including guests from Brain Injury South Australia, Operation Flinders, ASCO and BP Australia, The Executive Director of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, Mr Stephen Moss and a small number of Staff Crew Guests.
At 1000 the lines were cast off and once clear of our berth and back in the river we set the topsail and topgallant and in pleasant conditions sailed down the Port Adelaide River. During the three hours that followed our guests got to see the Youth Crew in action as they climbed aloft, set and furled sails and wore ship. They also got to enjoy some of Chef Jenkoâ€™s amazing food which was served by our ever attentive Youth Crew. As normal the 3hrs passes far too quickly and before we knew it the time was 1300 and we were back alongside again at our berth.
Once we had farewelled our guests the Youth Crew proceeded ashore with their Watch Leaders to some local Port Adelaide cafes for their end of voyage talks. By 1700 everyone was back onboard and following a quick brief the Youth Crew proceeded aloft and completed at good set of harbour furls (very neat sail furls). Normally on completion of these furls I would depart the berth and proceed out to anchor but due to the length of the pilotage required to secure a safe anchorage I decided to remain alongside overnight for the final night of the voyage.
This evening we enjoyed a dinner of Chef Jenkoâ€™s world famous pizzaâ€™s which was served on deck. Once we had cleaned up from dinner the Youth Crew adjourned to the cafÃ© and completed end of voyage questionnaires and â€˜letters to themselvesâ€™ which are returned to each Youth Crew member six months after voyage completion. Whilst the Youth Crew were completing these final administration tasks the Staff Crew took the opportunity to conduct our own â€˜end of voyageâ€™ debriefs.
With these tasks complete, at dusk we commenced a photo slide show up on deck capturing various moments and experiences during the voyage. This slide show has become a popular part of the Young Endeavour Program and gives the Youth Crew the opportunity to reflect on the past 12 days and their amazing experiences throughout the voyage.
Tomorrow morning following breakfast and morning brief we will depart our berth and proceed out into the Inner Harbour. Once the Youth Crew have manned the yards we will come back alongside berthing for the final time for this voyage at Dock 2â€™s Berth 15 at 1000 where I am sure that we will be welcomed by a large group of family and friends.

Once alongside family and friends will be invited onboard for a tour of the ship and to witness my final address and the presentation of Certificates of Achievement to all of the Youth Crew. Following this presentation we will say our final emotional farewell to the Youth Crew of Voyage 20/16 as they depart the ship.

On a personal note, I would like to thank all of the Youth Crew of Voyage 20/16 for the effort that you have put in throughout this voyage, you are a wonderful group of young Australians and all of the Staff Crew of Young Endeavour have thoroughly enjoyed sailing across the Great Australian Bight with you.

Sadly due to normal Navy posting cycles this has been Chef Jenko’s final voyage following 2 years as a Young Endeavour Staff Crew member. During his time onboard he has produced some fantastic meals and has kept us entertained with his jokes and quirky sense of humour. He has been a brilliant Staff Member whose efforts have contributed greatly to the ships success during his time onboard and he will be missed by all.

This is Young Endeavours fourteen voyage of our Circumnavigation of Australian and our final voyage of the year. It has been another extremely successful year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing Staff Crew who do such a fantastic job of sailing the ship and providing such a brilliant program for young Australians. I would also like to thank the Staff of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme who provide such great support to the Youth Crew, Staff Crew and the Ship and continue to play such a major part in Young Endeavours ongoing success.

Young Endeavour will remain alongside in Adelaide until 02nd Jan 17 when we will embark our first Youth Crew for 2017 and sail for Stanley in North West Tasmania.

From the Staff Crew of Young Endeavour have a wonderful Christmas and a safe and enjoyable New Year.

Until next voyage, take care

Yours Aye

Captain Gav

Latitude/Longitude:

34 50 S / 138 30 E

Conditions:

Currently alongside in Port Adelaide and experiencing light ENE winds with nil swell. The current temperature is 20 degrees.

AUTHOR: Commanding Officer STS Young Endeavour

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Day Eleven – Alongside Port Adelaide

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