Fraser Island – Shore Leave
Ahoy there Shipmates, The ship remained at anchor just off Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island overnight. At 0700 Tim the sail master woke the crew up with a rousing tune and everyone came up on deck for a snappy game of Knights, Mounts and Cavillers. Luke and his assistants then tempted everyone with a tasty BBQ breakfast of bacon and egg rolls. After breakfast the Youth Crew went ashore for some well deserved shore leave. The deserted beach with its white sand and crystal clear water was an ideal place for a few games of touch football, volleyball and just to have a relaxing swim. It was a jubilant Youth Crew who returned onboard for some lunch at 1100. After an amazing lunch it was all hands on deck for the preparations to weight anchor and sail away. I had the watches lay aloft to cast loose on the gaskets that secure the square sails to the yards and all the lines required faked out on deck. To sail away from anchor can be a very difficult task, but with this Youth Crew it was a piece of cake. Once the ship was clear of the anchorage we set a full press of sail with the only sail not set being the main gaff topsail. I imagine we must have looked quite the sight under a full press of sail only a mile off the coast of Fraser Island with the sun behind us filtering through our sails. It was such an enjoyable moment that we decided to turn off the generator and do some silent running. This means there is nothing but the sound of the ocean slapping against the hull and the ever so faint hum of sheets vibrating in the wind. Since it was such a nice moment we let everyone soak it up for a full hour. There was a buzz of laughter and joyous conversation all around the ship, while others just laid back and stared up at the sails and enjoyed the moment. After the silent running we conducted a snappy happy hour prior to a quick sail theory brief from myself up on deck. The afternoon was capped off with some more chilling out on deck just before dinner. Sadly the wind started to die and the tide is on the flood meaning that we just are not making any headway. It was with a great deal of reluctance that I instructed Tim, who was on watch at the time, to clew up the squares and to start both engines and start making way once more. I hope that the wind comes in tonight to allow us to do some more sailing. We need to head north to round the top of Fraser Island before once more heading south towards our next port of call. Until tomorrow, may your anchors always hold fast CAPT Matt If everything seems to be in control, your not going fast enough. Mario AndrettiIf you want to see our tack in real time just follow this link
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Wind: South Easterly at 3ktsSwell: NilSails: Jib, Topgallant, Topsail, Course, Mainstaysail, Fisherman, Main
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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