CLIENT: Emmanuel College Bronze DofE Voyage
VOYAGE NUMBER: 20250503
FROM: Manly To: Manly
DATE: 3 May 2025
POSITION: Big Sandhills, Moreton Is
REPORT: White Watch
Today was a great day! First, we had a lovely bus ride at 7:00am and drove for just over an hour to the harbour in Manly. Upon arrival, we unloaded our bags and made our way over to the ship. After being allocated into our watch groups we were given a tour of the ship and shown what to do in case of an emergency. We hoisted the sails and made our way into Moreton Bay, the journey had just begun!
Just before we were clear of the port some dolphins danced past our boat as red watch started their first watch. We came down and set up our beds, preparing for the voyage as the water started to become very rocky. A while later, all watches came together to set up the sails and with lots of hard work and hauling, we eventually got there and then we were sailing towards Moreton Island. Roughly an hour later, white watch was selected to work the ship, we tacked the sails so that we could turn away from the torrential rain, we also took turns as skipper and became a lookout.
Two hours later, blue watch went on for their watch, and some crew from white watch went to the bowsprit and relaxed for quite some time. Afterwards, red watch went on watch, and everyone gathered to help with lowering the sails and anchoring for the night as we had reached the large sand dunes.
While red watch was wrapping up their watch, everyone started practicing their knots for the competition, we practiced the: reef knot, figure eight knot and round turn and two half hitches. Then it began to pour, so we all rushed below deck just as it cleared.
Being the first group that was going on night watch, we had the privilege of eating first. Our cook Kath made chicken drumsticks with rice and veggies which were steamed peas and carrots with a side of runny gravy. Then our group went on watch. We had to measure out where our ship was with the glowy handheld compasses to make sure that we weren’t drifting away. (Kelsey, Izzy, Bonnie)