The ship is at anchor in Monkey Mia and we have just sent the trainees from the first Christ Church Grammar voyage over to the shore for the bus home. We departed Fremantle about two weeks ago and have been lucky to have two excellent voyages so far.
The voyage north from Fremantle was a calm one with light winds and only a swell on the quarter to hinder us, rolling us around in a corkscrewing motion. We managed to sail for all but 12 hours with the predominantly southerly winds working in our favour. The trainees were a mixed bunch from all over the state who got on very well together. The voyage lived up to its title of “trip of the year”. It’s the voyage the crew look forward to the most, because it’s one of the few chances we get to leave Fremantle with a destination, and that destination being down wind makes it even better.
The last trip was filled with year 8 trainees from Christ Church Grammar boys school. The trainees were a lovely group who were enthusiastic and well behaved from the moment they arrived. For these trips we also carry a Programme Facilitator who works with the Mate to keep the trainees busy. We had perfect weather for the first few days but had a low pressure system come through bringing squalls with 50-60 knots of wind at times, all in the middle of the night of course!
We were running downwind at 12kn at one point. The trainees enjoyed the squalls and took every opportunity to take the helm in a storm, giving them a great story to tell the families. We sheltered from the worst of the weather and spent the final day at anchor in a bay with the uninspiring name Hopeless Reach. The trainees were up early this morning, a 0400 start was required to get them packed, fed and the ship clean before departing at 0630.
- Captain Sarah.
10th May 2013
10th May 2013
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