TNS 474, Bass Straits Cruise 1-7/12/2016

Good Evening from the A Team – aka Forward Starboard watch onboard Tenacious – day 6. We sailed towards King Island in 30 knot winds we saw  albatrosses, shearwaters or mutton birds & Pacific Gulls. We dropped anchor in the afternoon in Elephant Seal Bay just off the East coast of King Island. After dinner we  enjoyed a talk on seabirds. Thereafter we collected samples in a biologists Plankton net, we  experienced an amazing show of various micro marine organisms under the microscope. Next day after breakfast, most of the voyage crew went ashore in the Ships boat to explore the beautiful calm of the bay. Some of the crew went off to explore in small groups, some alone and others joined our 2 marine scientists to further their knowledge of the local marine life. Thankfully the only snakes encountered were coloured jelly ones!(Sweets) We returned to the ship for lunch with a few wet bottoms and many laughs due to the exuberance of the lovely Bosun whilst driving us back. After lunch the chef surprised one of the voyage crew with a fantastic Birthday Cake which looked like a yacht under sail on blue water, complete with greaseproof paper sails. Later on in the afternoon we weighed anchor and set sails heading back towards Melbourne, thereafter as the wind changed we handed the sails and continued on our journey motoring at good speed, in readiness to meet the Pilot early tomorrow morning. Fair winds and following seas to you all. FWD STBD. WL. Lee. Along with John, Martin, Rod, Peter, Mary, Lisa, Peter and Liliana.