While the crew aboard HMAS Arunta, an Australian defence ship, may be looking forward to some time on land after almost three months aboard the vessel, they know their recent deployment would have been much easier than what the Anzacs went through after departing in ships from the West Australian port town of Albany 100 years ago.
HMAS Arunta is one of seven defence ships in King George Sound off the WA coast this weekend which will re-enact the departure of ships from the area on November 1, 1914.
About 170 crew are on board HMAS Arunta; they are due to finish their latest deployment within a week but are excited about the opportunity to take part in the World War I centenary events.
The youngest on board Arunta, seaman bosuns mate Matthew Parry is just 18 years old, a similar age to many who set off to fight in what became known as the First World War.
Seaman Parry joined the Navy straight out of high school at the age of 17.
"Its always been a childhood dream, ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to join up," he said.
"Wearing this uniform every single day, not only just today, is such a proud achievement, so doing this for Australia and wearing the uniform each and every day makes you feel proud."
Seaman Parry said life on board a naval ship 100 years ago would have been very different to his experience on deployments these days.
"Knowing what the people did 100 years ago to sail for Gallipoli, it would've been an exciting opportunity for them, so doing it now is going to be such a proud achievement, It's a once in a lifetime sort of thing," he said.
"For their downtime back in the day I don't know what they'd get up to. We're lucky to have a gym and computers and stuff on board, but back then they would only have comforts of occassional mail and they might have books, and that'd be the only way they could try to get away from what they are on."
Combat systems operator able seaman Ryan Maris was inspired to join the navy because of his grandfather.
"My grandfather was a prisoner of war in Changi, I'd always wanted to be in the defence force because he was in it."
Seaman Marris said he was excited about being part of the centenary events.
"It's a great moment, obviously I've never been a part of this before, so for me its a very proud moment to be a part of something like this, for the Anzac tradition."
The symbolic departure will involve all seven ships plus an Australian submarine also in Albany for the event.
Crowds of tens of thousands are expected to flock to vantage points along the coast to watch them sail past.
The vessels will circumnavigate the King George Sound in a procession where at the closest point they will be just 1.85 kilometres from Middleton Beach.
Two ships will break away to pass in view of the National Anzac Centre to pay respects to digniaries, including the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers, who will be there at the time.
A ship open day is being held as part of a number of community events on Sunday, with all 12,000 places available to the public booked out ahead of time.
