Log: 22/4

V917 has begun! After loading all our stores, completing safety tours and life jacket drills we threw off the mooring lines and made our way our the harbour to Motuihe Island for the night. Our tummies are full of yummy food and the trainees are getting to know and trust their peer by playing ice breaker deck games under the night sky. The sound of their chatter and laughter is ringing out across the water.

Log: 27/4

The rain doesn't stop us! we put on a raincoat, get out on deck and carry on. The trainees have faced their first drizzly morning swim and discovered that the water is relatively warm and the swim is nothing to fear. Now they are learning basic commands, how to handle ropes and how to climb the masts. All this in preparation for their first time setting the sails this afternoon.

Log: 28/4

You can't have a rainbow without any rain, guess what we have had both today! Setting their feet on land, digging their toes in sand and visiting a mansion house is what the trainees got up to this morning. Now we are sailing to the Coromandel peninsula, tacking the ship and hanging out with new friends having an adventure together.

Log: 29/4

After a restful night at anchor under the Moehau Ranges we are preparing the sails and ship for another day of sailing. There is a nice easterly wind forecasted that will fill our sails and take us to Great Barrier Island. Everyone has settled in nicely to the routine on the ship, all mucking in to get the mahi done that keeps our community and ship functioning well.

Log: 30/4

Today has been a fun and challenging day. We remained at anchor in the picturesque and sheltered waters of Smokehouse Bay. The trainees conquered the mast climb, right to the top, took the lugger boats out sailing, leant chartwork and they are now having a rewarding swim as the sun is getting low in the sky.

Log: 3/5

Its quiet time on the ship as the trainees take a well deserved break after 6 days on the ship, pushing themselves to experience everything. Yesterday was a big day! Tramping on Kaikoura Island. a huge paddle back to the ship and then ashore for dinner and a campfire at the infamous Smokehouse Bay.

Log: 4/5

After a lot of mahi this morning the decks are scrubbed and the ship is looking ship shape again . The reward for all this mahi was a free time swim, aka a pool party! Then we took the ship out into the Firth of Thames and did a lot of tacking as the final lesson before the trainees took charge of the ship. They have elected themselves a new crew and they have control of the ship for the next 24 hours. This is exciting!