ALL ON DE CK FOR SEA AD VENTURE
CHELSEA Smith is well used to boats but she was tested on a four- day sailing voyage to Hinchinbrook and back.
The 15- year- old Townsville Grammar School student lives on Magnetic Island and catches the ferry to school. But she had never sailed before.
Chelsea was joined by 22 Townsville Grammar Year 10 students aboard the 100foot South Passage which disembarked for Hinchinbrook on Wednesday. She said her knot tying skills were “nonexistent”.
But this was the point of the voyage, to test students working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
“We will learn leadership skills, try new things and develop things we need later on in life,” Chelsea said.
Like Chelsea, Sean Karlsbakk, 15, had never before sailed.
“I’m expecting it be different to land,” he joked.
Sean made sure to pack plenty of anti- seasickness tablets to combat the expected rough conditions.
Students were grouped on watch duties, rotating tasks such as helming, lookout, maintenance and recording entries in the ship’s log aboard the gaff- rigged schooner.
They also learned to tack and gybe on top of off- ship activities like snorkelling before returning on Sunday.
Students building towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award also need to learn a new skill, take part in a physical activity and volunteer.