Log: 30/12

Voyage 931 has begun! The trainees boarded the ship and completed their orientation and safety tour before we threw off the mooring lines and waved farewell to Picton. We are now anchored in Grove Arm, sheltering from the south-easterly winds.

The trainees have taken part in ice-breaker games and are starting to get to know their shipmates, with tummies rumbling in anticipation of a hearty roast dinner. The wind is in our hair, the ship is moving beneath our feet, and there’s a real sense of excitement among the trainees - this is what ship life is all about.

Log: 30/12

We awoke this morning at 0630 to a very gusty day, but that hasn’t deterred us. We pulled on our togs and jumped in for our first morning swim - the water was warmer than the air, which was a pleasant surprise.

After breakfast, it was time for the morning brief, followed by a full ship clean. The plan is to remain at anchor today until the worst of the winds pass. There’s plenty to keep us busy, with time to learn about onboard safety, how the ship works, some sail theory, and a few team-building activities.

Log: 31/12

The wind and rain have eased, revealing the beauty of the Sounds. We’re excited to get the ship moving, set some sails, and explore new areas on the final day of 2025!

Log: 32/12

HAPPY NEW YEAR from everyone onboard. We welcomed in the new year while anchored in Picton Harbour, sitting on deck drinking hot chocolate and watching the stunning fireworks display. Thank you Picton, you have been so welcoming to us!
Today we are heading ashore to stretch our legs and walk the Queen Charlotte track.

Log: 2/1

After only five hours’ sleep, the trainees went ashore at Furneaux Lodge in Endeavour Inlet and spent six hours walking the Queen Charlotte Track, from Resolution Bay through to Meretoto, Ship Cove. The sun was shining, though the track was muddy. The trainees brought a fantastic attitude to the challenge and were rewarded with a strong sense of achievement, capped off with a refreshing swim off the wharf before returning to the ship for a well-earned roast beef and apple crumble dinner.

Log: 3/1

We had a wonderful day sailing out of Queen Charlotte Sound and into Pelorus Sound. There were opportunities to practise tacking the ship under sail, and many local boats stopped to watch the action. We anchored in World’s End for the night, an area where you feel completely surrounded by land and steep terrain. A swim and swinging from the yard arm in this incredible landscape finished the day perfectly. The trainees are also helping with many tasks around the ship, including maintenance on the bottle screws.

Log: 4/1

After a blustery night, the day developed into a gorgeous sunny one and everyone was happy. We launched the luggers (small sailing boats), with groups of 10 heading out on short voyages around Ketu Bay. Learning to be in charge of their own vessel was a steep learning curve, but a successful one. The trainees also climbed to the top of the mast, conquering some fears along the way. All in all, it was a day of achievement and fun, topped off with a singalong.

Log: 5/1

Quote: "Super fantastic, super fun day, everyone involved!"

That is how one trainee summed up the day. We sailed from Pelorus Sound, around Stephens Island, and into Greville Harbour (Wharariki) on Durville Island (Rangitoto ki te Tonga). We set plenty of sail and really got the ship moving. Along the way, the trainees had some quiet time (aka nap or reflection time), with only the sound of the ship gliding through the water. Once we reached Greville Harbour, we launched rafts and paddled ashore for dinner, an evening swim, and watched the sun set over the horizon as they paddled back to the ship.

Log: 6/1

What a fun day! We went exploring a cave, then jumped off the rocks into beautiful clear water. In the afternoon, we moved the ship to Croiselles Harbour, where we held an election to vote in a trainee crew. This new crew has taken over the ship for the next 24 hours and has planned an amazing itinerary ... starting with going ashore to a small paradise island for the evening and dinner ashore, returning just as darkness falls.

Log: 7/1

Trainee Day was a huge success. Strong leadership, great teamwork, and everyone backing the people they elected all added up to an excellent day. There were fun times sailing the ship, swimming, and keeping perfectly to the timeframe. Well done to everyone - you learned a lot during the voyage and truly made it count on the day. We’ll miss you all and hope to see you again someday.