STW 20 Sydney to Auckland including the Tall Ships Race

Days 1 to 3 8th – 10th October

The next stage of the Lord Nelsons voyage around the world began on the 8th of October with the Voyage crew joining after lunch. Again a wide range of people from around the world with a mixture of Australians, Brits and Irish.

They join the ship after some very busy days for all on board hosting thousands of visitors who flocked to the Sydney waterfront to see the tall ships and the Fleet review.

After signing on was completed all started to settle into their new environment and received the various briefings from the permanent crew then it was evacuation drill training etc. then the first meal on board. After dinner some ventured off into Sydney to locate various drinking holes and hostelries including the Lord Nelson Hotel.

Day 2 started with more training and storing the ship, and then the voyage crew stood down for the afternoon, many heading for the beach, others catching the last bit of shopping. The evening was filled with a quayside party hosted by the organisers of the Tall Ships regatta.

Day 3 started in earnest with final preparations in readiness for setting out to sea. Then after 11 it was cast off and gently made our way under the iconic Sydney Bridge past the opera house in readiness for the start of the race. The ships taking part were all jockeying for position as the clock slowly ticked down to 1400nhrs local time.. Then it was engines off, much bracing and sail setting and over the line we went, one of the other ships was slightly ahead of us but the race committee decided they had crossed the start line to early and had to receive a penalty. So at the start the Lord Nelson led the field. I’ll not go further into the developments of the race, as I am sure regular reports will follow in the days to come.

All the voyage crew are settling in well, the daily watch routine has started so it’s off to New Zealand we go with 8-10 days of keen racing to start the next adventure as the ship makes its way around the globe.

Steve

Medical Purser.