Page 9 - Rotary Matters - November 2020 - v2

One and All sailing Challenge

Arriving at dock 2, (where the tall ship STV One and All was docked), I was extremely worried as I was about
to step onto an unknown sailing boat for 5 days with a crew of other people whom I had never met before.

Thinking back, my main concerns included; who were these people? Were they going to like me? Would
I get badly seasick? Was the food going to be good? Was I going to be able to sleep? And finally, the most
predominant, was I going to fall overboard, never to be seen again and freeze to death in the ocean?

What I did not expect was the amount of freedom we had while on board. My crewmates and I were
presented with countless challenges and I feel that my entire watch worked amazingly to face each one
head on with an amazing attitude, even though we were sometimes working in the middle of the night.

One activity that stood out for me personally was the amount of knowledge I took away from this voyage.
By the end, I was able to name and indicate all twelve sails as well identify the name and location of most
of the lines needed to set and hand them. I felt that I accomplished my goal, which I had set myself, to do
just that. This was especially helpful in the last two days where all of the trainees and I were required to
‘helm’ and navigate the ship ourselves.

One of the most obvious challenges faced by most of our crew was seasickness. In fact, there were only
two trainees I knew of who did not lose their lunch, or more accurately, the bacon and eggs provided on
that second, dreadful morning. Aside from that, our crew had an incredible time. We sailed to Port
Rickaby, in the Spencer Gulf, where we anchored for a night and then returned to Port Adelaide, but
not before anchoring again in the top of the Investigator Strait to enjoy a morning on the beach.

Reflecting back on this rewarding experience, I feel
that I am more optimistic and curious to experience
new things and push myself further out of my comfort
zone as well as gaining independence and becoming
more observant of my surroundings. I think I am also
less reliant on technology and I also would really like
to continue learning more about sailing, specifically
how each sail uses the wind to pull the boat along
and which sails are best for which tasks. I feel that
my fellow crewmates and I have developed more
maturity and resilience.

We all had an incredible experience and I cannot
wait to sail again.
Amy Frisby-Smith

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