Log: 25/6

V921 has begun. 40 trainees from around the country have gathered for an adventure. They are getting to know their ship mates. have shared the first night sleeping onboard and jumped into the water at 0630 this morning. Spirits are high and every one is looking forward to going sailing today.

Log: 26/6

Finding out more about the how the ship works, safety and sailing were some of our activities yesterday. Challenges such as, learning to climb up the mast and setting the sails, were faced and achieved. As I look around the deck I see happy faces, hear lots of chatter and laughter.

Log: 27/6

Crossing the Hauraki gulf yesterday was a chance for the trainees to experience some swell and stronger winds. The stuff that really shows what life at sea is all about. They handled it well, some sang songs to pass the time until we arrived at the sheltered anchorage of Kawau Bay. We are tucked up under the hills which sheltered us nicely from the wind overnight. There was a slight rock of the ship which will lulled us all to sleep.
Today we will stay here, at anchor, and learn some navigation, do some leadership training and have some fun while we wait for the weather system to pass through.

Log: 27/6

The weather system has passed, so after a morning stuck inside the trainees are now out on deck enjoying the sun and calm conditions. The afternoon started with a swim to freshen everyone up, then moved onto sail practice as we ready ourselves for tomorrows activities.

Log: 30/6

A day ashore was appreciated by all, stretching the legs with a walk through an nature reserve with beautiful Nikau forests and enjoying time on a nice sandy beach.

Log: 30/6

Hello Great Barrier Island (Aotea) – we’ve made it and are ready to explore!

We enjoyed an epic sail from Kawau, where we hoisted lots of sails and made the most of a steady SW18 knot wind, cruising along at 8 knots. Little Barrier put on a stunning show as we passed by!

Let’s see what Aotea has in store for us!

Log: 31/6

It was a fantastic day yesterday, full of achievements - the trainees climbed to the top of the mast, sailed luggers, learnt navigation and cooking, and shared plenty of laughs along the way.

Log: 2/7

Huge day yesterday! With the sun shining, calm seas, and a light breeze, it was the perfect opportunity to hoist plenty of sail and get stuck into practicing our tacking skills. We wrapped up the day ashore at the iconic Smokehouse Bay, singing songs around the campfire – a magic end to a great day.

Log: 3/7

Yesterday, the trainees took over the ship! They set sails, navigated, cooked meals, and managed engineering duties. Once we anchored in a sheltered bay, they basked in their achievements and enjoyed some well-earned fun.

Wet and Windy Weather Update

We’re nicely tucked away under the sheltering hills of Waiheke Island, protected from the worst of the weather. Outside, the wind is gusting up to 25 knots, but the sea remains calm in our anchorage.

The trainees are looking after the ship that’s given them such an epic adventure - scrubbing the deck and doing a thorough deep clean inside. Once ship-shape, they’ll enjoy some fun activities with their shipmates, celebrating the strong bonds they’ve built over the past 10 days.

Evening Update

Just a quick note to reassure you all that while it’s raining hard out here, the wind is still only gusting up to 25 knots - nothing we can’t handle. And the best part? It doesn’t flood at sea!

Our wonderful cook is preparing a delicious lamb roast for our final dinner onboard, so we’ll be warm, well-fed, and safe tonight. The forecast shows the wind easing off considerably by midnight, which means we’re expecting a calm sea state as we motor into the wharf tomorrow morning.

See you then!

Log: 4/7

The sun is shining and the Ship is now safely alongside the wharf. The trainees are saying farewell to their 39 new best friends, with families waiting and hugs all around. Oh the stories that will be shared over the coming days - stories of adventure, challenge and laughter will be told and retold - memories from a voyage they’ll never forget.