Happy 18th Beth

Situation at 20:00-Last night we continued on our track eastward. The loom from the lights of the Bass Strait oilfield were easily seen down our port side as we beat to windward. As the sun came up, Point Hicks was visible in the distance and the south east corner of Australia came into view.Wakey wakey this morning included birthday wishes for Beth. At breakfast all hands wished her many happy returns on her 18th.Today’s morning brief saw Salty Sea Dog Lukish draw upon one of his favorite nautical expressions- ‘A Son of a Gun’. This involved much hilarity, gunfire and medical skills. Once again the scran bag was full, compliments of most of the Youth Crew but they showed considerable enthusiasm when it came time to sing for their sins. TheGalley hands prepared a delicious morning tea, which all hands enjoyed as soon as XO Chook pronounced happy hour complete. Engineer Rags led the Youth Crew through the second installment of rope races which saw the reddies take a commanding lead. Next on the schedule was a communications exercise, designed to highlight how informationcan be passed through different mediums. This proved very interesting and showed that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Chef Polly rounded off the forenoon with a terrific lunch. The afternoon activities started off with XO Chook presenting a lecture on how to sail to and from an anchorage. They Youth Crewwere asked to develop and present a plan on how they would carry out this manoeuvre. They had obviously hoisted in the sailing theory lessons as the plan they came up with was very sound and logical. After a quick break, all hands mustered in the cafe to watch a 38 minute long video of a four-masted Barque rounding Cape Horn in 1929.This is the only known footage that captures a windjammer in the extreme conditions of Cape Horn and shows how teamwork andcooperation can achieve anything. The Youth Crew were quick to note the lack of modern conveniences compared to those we enjoy in YOUNG ENDEAVOUR. The Youth Crew are gaining confidence and skill in working aloft and setting sail. Tonight they will complete a major teambuilding exercise that will require them to think laterally and work together to finish a complex task. The indications are that they are up to this challenge and should do well. YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Fact File: The Ship shares her name with several famous vessels world wide. These include the replica ofCaptain Cook’s Ship, Bark Endeavour, a New Zealand warship, a Canadian naval auxilliary and one of NASA’s space shuttle.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Glossary: Bend- To bend something on is to tie or fasten it. To bend on a sheet is to tie it on to its sail, tobend on a sail is to fasten it to its mast, stay or spar. Pooped- When a wave coming from astern or from the quarter breaks over the stern of the vessel. This can be a very dangerous situation. Thought of the Day: I think, that as life is action and passion, it is required of a man that he should share the passion andaction of his time, at peril of being judged not to have lived.Oliver Wendell Holmes. Yours, Aye John CowanLCDR, RAN