Captain's Log

V07/15

31 October 2015

SATURDAY SEA ROUTINE

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to day 10 of our voyage. As advised in last nights Log today we ran a Saturday Sea Routine which involves everyone working the morning then having the afternoon off, that is unless you have the after watch then you are still required on the bridge.

The wind continued to back overnight so this morning we were able to set the squares and by lunch time had the ship under a full press of sail which included the Gaff Topsail and the Fisherman which are two sails that the World Voyagers had not previously set. Regrettably the wind veered then moderated late this afternoon so we had to clew up the squares and we are back sailing just under fore and aft sail.

Being a Saturday Sea I havenâ€™t got much news for you but where I have come up a little short this evening the World Voyagers have made up for it, so please enjoy tonightâ€™s Captains Log written by White Watch.

Until tomorrow, take care

Yours Aye
Captain Gav

Captains Log 31 Oct 15

One week ago today we set sail on a voyage of a lifetime. Today we mark off 7 happy hours, 7 morning briefs, 21 meals spent grasping our plates as sauce flies all over the galley and 54 hours of watch duty.

Saturday Sea Routine engaged, the day had finally arrived. Adam had the pleasure of exciting the world voyagers during morning brief, with the idea of multiple siestas, documentaries and a day of rest, only after he used his creativity and ingenuity to whip up a terrifying Halloween mask made from duct-tape and yoghurt tubs with red veins drawn in a spiral pattern into his eyes! Although, we honestly werenâ€™t sure if he wasnâ€™t scarier without the mask. Love you pal

Morning brief was short and sweet, with our favourite joke-master, Knuckle sharing his finest dry humour with the crew, followed by Captain Gav giving us his usual words of wisdom to boost morale with an excellent quote from World Voyager â€˜Livâ€™ from the previous passage. As the meeting adjourned, White Watch climbed aloft the foremast to untie the gaskets on the Topsail and Topgallant. Boy oh boy, weâ€™re setting squares sails! The Staff and Worldies were tickled as White Watch and friends set the sails, giving an almighty view whilst lying on the deck staring at beautiful white cloth and blue skies. Happy hour went ahead as usual with scrubbing, spraying, vacuuming and mopping to keep the ship beautiful and germ free so we can continue to share the love.

Sails were set as we smashed out the knots, cruising across the Atlantic. As we were called to midships to appreciate the squares sails, both Adam and Captain Gav surprised us with some exciting plans and opportunities that have been arranged for us! With the expectation to arrive into Cape Town on the 18th of November we will have the chance for community involvement with schools and community groups, and exploration of Table Mountain. Spirits were flying high.

As all the duties, plans and activities are drawing to an end for the day the Worldies retreated to their bunks, patches of deck sun and the galley to enjoy some down time. Chef Jenkoâ€™s lunch never fails to impress and the name given to him among these parts as The Best Chef in the Atlantic and he continues to hold up the name. I assume all the Crew and Worldies will struggle with having to source, cook and decide what to eat after such a long time as sea, as weâ€™re all very aware if heâ€™s running 5 minutes lateâ€¦ and itâ€™s only been a week!

Saturday Sea was bliss, with the worldies enjoying the mottled sky to wash clothing, lounge around the deck and move freely under a beautiful set of sails without a motor sound in earshot. As the wind changed in our favour, we had some excitement of setting up the Main Gaff Topsail and the Fisherman Staysail. The excitement was followed by ocean documentaries and some much loved David Attenborough entertaining and teaching the Worldies of the creatures of the deep.

Watches continue as usual through the night and the eighties classics continue to sound throughout the bridge.

Thanks, Cheers, Ciao, Peace.

White Watch. Oscar, Liam, Kim, Lauren, Matt, Caitlin, Emily, Alice, Yuri

SHOUTOUTS

Iâ€™m still alive ïŠ Having a wicked time and will probably need more money for Cape Town xx Thanks MUM & DAD. Love Rachel

Swizzle family â€“ I have the least amount of bruises, but the biggest ones. Love you all, say hello to everyone from the Smiles-Roach-Zahorsky-Mccowan-Cacitti-Carty clan

Latitude/Longitude:

34 degrees 11 minutes South / 31 degrees 52 minutes West

Conditions:

Currently located 920nm SE of Rio and enjoying moderate to strong ENE winds with a 1m NE swell. Our current speed is 6.5kts and the temperature is 15 degrees.

AUTHOR: Commanding Officer STS Young Endeavour

You might also be interested in

V04/24

19 February 2024

Day 11 – Last Day of the Voyage

Good morning Shipmates, Sailmaster Sara's final Wakey Wakey song was pumped through the Ship’s speakers to jar the crew of YE from their deep slumber after a particularly tiring day of the Community Day Sail. Activities included end-of-voyage chats for the watches, harbour furling the square sails, eating as much home made pizza, cooked by master chef Ash, as we possibly could and knocking over final command day tasks including the Slide Show. It was up on deck for a quick head count to make sure everyone was out of their ‘racks’ and ready for their final day onboard. Breakfast was followed by the morning brief on the plan for the day and then the Staff Crew weighed anchor and got us underway while the Youth Crew laid aloft for a quick harbour cruise. Navigator Seb piloted the Ship from our Athol Bay anchorage, past Fort Dennison under the Harbour Bridge, where we fired the Ship’s saluting cannon, and then into Balls Head Bay to our berth. We berthed at HMAS Waterhen at 1000 to the warm welcome of friends and family of the Youthies, waiting on the wharf for us. Once we had secured the ship alongside we invited our guests onboard, allowed them a walk around the ship to see where the Youthies had lived and worked for the last eleven days, and then we gathered everyone at midships. Sail Master Sara spoke about our adventures during the voyage and then I presented the Voyage Completion certificates to the youth crew and the Young Endeavour Award to Liv for her outstanding hard work on in undertaking the voyage and her dedication to helping her fellow youth crew members to achieve their voyage goals. We then farewelled the Youth Crew of V04/24 after a fantastic challenging and enjoyable voyage. Thank you for following our adventures and hope you enjoyed hearing about them. Yours, aye, Captain Mike

V04/24

19 February 2024

Day 10 – Community Day Sail Sydney Harbour

Good evening shipmates, After a well-earned quality night’s sleep at anchor in Hunters Bay, Sail Master Sara woke us with another of her soothing tunes to get us on deck for a quick early morning activity. After breakfast the staff crew weighed anchor and conducted the transit to HMAS Waterhen, at Waverton. We berthed there at 0900 and prepared to embark our guests for the Community Day Sail. At 1015 we cast off our berthing lines and departed with our 34 guests and commenced our 3 hour tour of the harbour. Our Community Day Sailors were a group 30 members and staff from the Windgap Foundation. We also embarked some defence personnel as well. We again passed under the Harbour Bridge and then proceeded into Rose Bay where we set some sails and commenced sailing back towards Waterhen. Whilst on the harbour our fantastic youth crew helped us host our Windgap special guests. They encouraged our guests to participate in setting the staysails and a square sail by helping to pull on the sheets and clewlines. The youth crew also helped Chef Ash to prepare and deliver the food to our guests on deck. At 1300, after 3 fun-packed hours on the harbour, we berthed back at the southern wharf at HMAS Waterhen. Once we had farewelled our guests it was time to commence our end-of-voyage activities and preparations. The staff crew managed to organise a visit to the RAN Ship MATV Sycamore, which is crewed by a mixture of civilians and Navy staff, is a multi-role aviation training vessel. The youth crew embarked with their watch leaders and were given a 45 minute tour of the ship by some of the Navy crew. On completion they returned onboard and Young Endeavour sailed and proceeded to our anchorage in Athol Bay, which affords a great view of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. During the transit to the anchorage the Youthies undertook their end-of-voyage chats, facilitated by their watch leaders, to examine if they had achieved everything in their full-value contracts they had completed at the start of the voyage. After the traditional last voyage dinner of home made pizzas, Sara gave the Youthies the Harbour Furl brief, who then donned their climbing harnesses and laid aloft to undertake the ‘Harbour Furl’ of the square sails to make them look immaculate for our ceremonial arrival at the end of the voyage tomorrow. Once that was completed, the youth crew then finished off their final outstanding Command Day tasks, which were planned for the last night onboard. These included the Voyage Slide Show compiled of photos taken by everyone. This was excellent and provided a touching reminder of what we had experienced and the beautiful coastlines and islands that we had visited during the voyage. The final activity of the day was the end-of-voyage administration, which for the youth crew included a feedback questionnaire asking for feedback on their experience of the voyage, as well as a letter for each crew member to write to themselves on their experiences during the voyage, which the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme will post to the youth crew in 6 months time. The aim of this is to help reinforce what the youth crew have learned about leadership, teamwork and about themselves from the experience of the voyage. Once these were completed the crew were encouraged to go to bed. The Ship will remain in Athol Bay overnight and weigh anchor and sail in the morning at 0900 and undertake the transit to HMAS Waterhen, where family and friends will meet the Ship on arrival at 1000. Until you hear from me tomorrow for the final instalment of Voyage 04/24. Yours aye, Captain Mike

V04/24

19 February 2024

Day 9 – Command Day Part 2

Ahoy from Sydney! For today’s Captain’s Log: the Youthies took over and completed several tasks including singing the national anthem in three different tunes as well as giving salty sea facts to start the day in a nautical way. We finally made it! After a long and weary effort of the command team and watches, we were able to fully sail into Sydney Harbour. At approximately 11:50 we anchored in Hunters Bay. To celebrate we had a groovtastic disco in the 12 berth due to excessive rainfall but the youthies made it work, having a blast dancing to Billie Jean. Afterwards, the youthies as well as the staff reflected on our efforts during command day, following the handover of the ship to the Staffies, where we highlighted what we did well, what we could improve on and what lessons we can take back to our normal lives, of which there are many. Continuing on from the previous log, with command day still ongoing. We encountered multiple problems. One of which being that mother nature didn’t bless us and gave us little to no wind to work with. However with the efforts of the Youthies we were able to successfully gather up to 8 knots of speed after a 4am tack in which the youthies persevered despite a lack of sleep enabling us to make our way into Sydney. Before our reflection the Youthies finished their day strong with a ‘Happy Hour’ cleaning session and one final dance. The afternoon was spent relaxing and recharging from ‘Command Day’, going aloft and furling the square sails. For dinner, Ash prepared a barbecue with steak, sausages, chicken kebabs with buns and an assortment of salads with a delicious chocolate cake for dessert. The Youthies are looking forward to the Community Day Sail tomorrow which will be a great opportunity to give back to Australia and put our sailing knowledge to the test. We have learned many lessons during ‘Command Day’, we pushed ourselves out of our comfort zone and together a crew of 24 youth were able to sail a tall ship into the harbour of Sydney. Today’s score: 9 camels and a donkey (Amazing) Until next time Rock on! Tarvi, Kaeden and Matt. P.S. Happy Birthday for tomorrow little bro, love Lil xx P.S.S. Kai, sorry I didn’t do the thing for Meg. I just remembered and will do it when back.

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

THE VOYAGE

Latest Captain’s Log

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Apply for Financial Assistance

FOR GUARDIANS

Youth Safety & Mental Health

FOR ORGANISATIONS

Scholarships for Local Youth

ABOUT US

The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme

OUR COMMUNITY

Make a Donation

SATURDAY SEA ROUTINE

Latitude/Longitude:

Conditions:

You might also be interested in

Ready to set sail?

More Information

Donations

Contact Us

1800 020 444

Keep in Touch

1800 020 444