CLIENT: Youth Voyage
VOYAGE NUMBER: 20250929
FROM: Hervey Bay To: Manly
POSITION: Big Sandhills, Moreton Is
DATE: 2 October 2025
REPORT: White Watch
Today was an amazing day; we woke up at the crack of dawn to do our watch – filled out our sailing manual and completed the logbook. We also indulged in some delicious hot chocolate and biscuits before falling back into a delightful slumber. Later, rising to the tooting of the bugle, we got prepared for the day ahead.
After a scrumptious breakfast of bacon and eggs, we put on our swimmers and headed over to the glimmering white sand of the beach at Tangalooma, Moreton Island. Here we discovered a large sand blow. A few sailors made the risky discission to roll or even sprint down to the bottom. By the second turn everyone was tuckered. Fortunately, we still had one and a half hours left, so a small group of tight-nit sailors played keepy-uppys with a soccer ball that was brought over. When our time was up, Peter came by with the dinghy to collect the tuckered-out kids. Many returned to the South Passage as lamingtons after the sand blow fun with sand in some interesting places.
It was such a perfect shore visit. Turquoise waters, white sands. We would have liked to have stayed longer, but it was time to move anchorage. Coincidentally, the lunch onboard turned all those frowns upside down. Once we had a stomach-full of burritos, we set sail for the Southern end of Moreton Island. The trip was definitely the best conditions we have had for the whole trip. Perfect sailing weather … smooth seas, wind filling the sails. After a relaxing 4-hour journey, we lowered sails at the Sandhills and dropped the anchor.
Here we elected our Command Day crew. Tomorrow at 0900 hours, we, the young adventurers, take control of the South Passage. While the ‘wise adults’ will still be watching over us, it is up to us to guide the ship back to Manly.
Our second last knot competition was held. White Watch nailed the clove hitch – 25 seconds! Fumbling under pressure, 55 seconds for a single sheet bend. The knotting competition remains tied for first place. Tomorrow’s rolling hitch will determine the winner.
To end the day, a delicious dinner of spaghetti bolognaise was devoured. As the bright, youthful sailors indulged their meal, we laughed along to amazingly funny jokes and stories. Lucas/Rosie