CLIENT: Emmanuel College
VOYAGE NUMBER: 20260405
FROM: Gladstone To: Manly
POSITION: Urangan
DATE: 8 April 2026
REPORT: Blue Watch
Waking up at 4:00 am, we were called on deck to raise the sails for the 15.5 hr sail to Urangan, Hervey Bay. Red watch faithfully took the first shift, braving the night sea, and were greeted to a beautiful sunrise over the ocean.
Hugh, our fantastic chef, greeted the morning with a exquisite porridge for cold breakfast, followed by pancakes as fluffy as the clouds for hot breakfast. With a warm meal in our belly, and the even warmer memory of Hugh’s infectious enthusiasm, White watch took over at 8:00 am, for the exhausted Red watch.
Following, the watches took turns preceding over the calm waters, the south-easterly wind gently carrying the maritime vehicle across the vast, blue plains. In the early mornings, during Blue watches shift, many voyagers spotted the playful sight of dolphins frolicking through the waves, chasing and leaping after the vessel as it glided through the waves. Some lucky fellows even spotted a sea snake slithering through the sea.
At lunch, our reigning regent of cuisine decided to take our taste-buds on a worldly travel, to the distant lands of Mexico, as he served our starving watchers a once-in-a-lifetime fine dining experience of the most delectable ground beef burritos, which everyone promptly finished with gusto.
By the afternoon, a gentle, soothing wind brushed the sails as our vessel traversed the open seas. Some brave souls even ventured onto the bowsprit, the sea and netting blending into one as they spent hours chatting. Below deck, a fierce game of warlords and scumbags broke out, cards flying as contestants rushed to discard their hands.
As we neared the end of our voyage in the late-afternoon, the crew announced that our daily knot-tying competition was at hand. Our valiant adventurers scrambled to practice their figure-eight knots, each vying for those oh-so enviable points, and for the honour of victory. The time drew near, and the atmosphere was thick. Each team lined up, ropes in hands, as they waited for the starting signal… and GO! Each team competed with a fighting spirit, the knots thudding to the floor as each contestant finished their knots. However, in the end, only one team could come out victorious. Except, that wasn’t the case. A major upset within the field, an incomplete knot not noticed, caused a vicious debate between the White and Red team. In the end, the gracious adjudicator decided to award the first place position to both teams, sharing the glory.
The night had creeped upon the sky by this time, and Hugh, the messiah of mouthwatering meals, blessed upon us one final miracle: A dish of Chinese chicken and rice, which elevated the tastes of all those on board. The warm, hearty meal protected against the cool night, as the Blue Watch took the last sailing shift.
By 7:00pm, we had near-reached the final location, and all watches were called to the deck for the last time that day to lower all the sails. The headsails fell first, followed by the foresail and the mainsail. The crew diligently packed up the last ropes, and the sailing for the day was done. We anchored in Hervey Bay, Urangan, and turned in for the day.
A journey at sea,
Eighteen adventurous kids,
Life-long memories.