CLIENT: Silver Youth Voyage
VOYAGE NUMBER: 20200922
FROM: Manly to Hervey Bay
DATE: 22 September 2020
POSITION: Horseshoe Bay, Peel Is
REPORT BY: Blue Watch
This morning we boarded ‘South Passage’ at 8:30 with an excited buzz of anticipation and stowed our gear. Then it was all hands on deck for a safety briefing, including our new Covid safe restrictions. We began extending our knowledge on rope handling skills as we practiced belaying, and once we raised the sails our journey began with a rush, facing winds of over 25 knots.
Our watch took over the deck at 2 pm, as we immediately had to prepare for a tacking maneuver. The ship was keeling over to almost 30 degrees, the water was rushing over the deck and it was nearly impossible to stay on our feet as we were drenched by waves coming over the side. Who needs to pay $17.99 for sea salt spray when you can just come onto ‘South Passage’?
Our duties on watch rotation included various look-out positions and taking the helm – which was exhilarating under the challenging conditions. At the conclusion of our watch we began lowering the sails and flaking the halyards, concluding the day with the first of eight knot tying competitions – in which Blue Watch took out second place.
After anchoring at Peel Island for the night we enjoyed some delicious chicken drumsticks and roasted vegetables with rice, followed by apple turnover with custard. Blue Watch thoroughly enjoyed our first day aboard ‘South Passage’ and can’t wait to learn more tomorrow!