Area news: Autumn 2024

Northern

Helensburgh Unit were excellent safety ambassadors for the Corps on World Drowning Prevention Day in July. Cadets and volunteers joined other organisations including the RNLI and Scottish Fire & Rescue Service for the first Water Safety Open Day at Loch Lomond Shores. The unit engaged with the local community and highlighted the importance of buoyancy aids when enjoying any waterborne activity. Many of the cadets had demonstrated their skills on the water earlier in the summer, at Clyde North District’s Sailing Regatta at Port Edgar Boat Station – with every single cadet coming home with a medal. 

North West

Oldham Sea Cadets’ busy August schedule began with a visit and presentation from Oldham Mountain Rescue Team (OMRT), highlighting their vital work within the community. The cadets were even given
the opportunity to take part in their own rescue mission, using a full body splint in a ‘mock up’ rescue of Junior Cadet Rowan. Everyone at TS Onslow then worked incredibly hard to get ready for their successful Family Open Day on 11 August, where cadets did a fantastic job showing families around their headquarters – with the facilities, stalls and games all proving to be a massive hit with potential Sea Cadets recruits. 

South West

Alpha Company Royal Marines Cadets were raring to go for their summer training camp at Wilsworthy in August. While battling typically wet and wild Dartmoor weather, cadets performed brilliantly in training exercises that tested tactics, leadership and navigation. Everyone was delighted to be visited by VIP guests including MSSC CEO Martin Coles CBE and SW Area Officer Cdr Gary Mills RN, who witnessed some impressive cadets applying their new skills and knowledge. All were hugely grateful for the constant support and encouragement of the volunteer instructors, who made an intensive week of learning so enjoyable. 

Eastern

In July hosts Scarborough Unit dominated the Eastern Area Regatta – taking gold medals in the boys’ and girls’ open rowing, all three yole categories, and power boat handling. Teams from across the area were also delighted with their performances, with Scunthorpe Sea Cadets particularly proud to take silver in the junior girls’ rowing, after one of their royal marines cadets stepped in as coxswain at the last minute. Worksop Sea Cadets were also thrilled to see their junior girls put in a stunning gold medal-winning performance in the rowing.

London

Greenwich, Deptford & Rotherhithe Sea Cadets had an epic summer camp in Truro, Cornwall, in August. Raft-building and rock-climbing developed teamwork skills, before a hands-on visit to Falmouth’s RNLI station. Cadets were then honoured to lay wreaths at a memorial for one of the Royal Navy’s most dramatic raids, on St Nazaire in 1942. The unit’s adventure training team also excelled in 10km of orienteering, before seeing a Mark 2 Merlin helicopter on a visit to the Fleet Air Arm at RNAS Culdrose.

Southern

Perfect conditions and close competition led to exhilarating sailing at Southern Area’s Windsurfing Regatta at Poole Harbour in August. Cadets had some great coaching from instructors, including former national Sea Cadets champion Petty Officer Thomas Musselwhite, of Salisbury Unit, whose AC Jasmine and OC Sam won their events for overall winners, Wessex District. Volunteers were impressed by the resilience of Milton Keynes Unit’s Cdt 1st Class Gautham, who completed all his races despite a few dips – a major contribution to overall runners up, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire District. 

Photos: Sea Cadets