2023 Sea Cadet Report

We have been working tirelessly to get our cadets on the water, a crucial aspect of the Sea Cadet adventure. Achieving this goal required navigating several hurdles. Specifically, we needed to establish an Area of Operations (AO)a designated area of water approved by the MOD for safe cadet boating activities.

Securing the AO involved extensive paperwork, including risk assessments, site plans, and emergency procedures. Fortunately, our collaboration with the RYYC Dinghy Section at Blyth Parkour base for the AOprovided much of the necessary information for our data pack submission. We owe a great deal of thanks to Steve Bissell, Joe Franks, and Cat Halliwell for their invaluable assistance in compiling these documents.

I am pleased to report that we have successfully secured our Area of Operations, which now spans from Wilsthorpe (Blyth Park) north to the Harbour, south to Barmston Beach, and extends 3 miles out to sea.

With this achievement, our cadets have finally had the opportunity to get our boats on the water, engaging in rowing, powerboating, and raft building. However, we now face a new challenge: we currently have only one qualified instructor, myself, for the Trinity rowing boat. This means we cannot yet use our sailing craft until we have qualified sailing instructors.

Once again, the RYYC Dinghy Section is stepping up to help. They are working with us to achieve RYA sailing instructor qualifications. Steve Bissell, Joe Franks, and Ellis Stonehouse have generously offered to assist us in obtaining these qualifications, enabling our cadets to start sailing.

We also plan to integrate our cadets into the Blyth Park cadet training programmes during the 2024 sailing season, joining as RYYC cadets on Tuesday evenings. This collaboration promises to benefit both our cadets and the organisations, fostering a closer relationship.

Our existing uniformed staff are also pursuing boating qualifications at the instructor level, including kayaking, powerboating, and windsurfing.

Additionally, some of our cadets had the opportunity to sail offshore last year. Two cadets spent a week on the TS Jack Petchey, a power vessel crewed by cadets and a small contingent of adult staff. OC Charlotte White and OC Satsuki Moat even earned Blue Peter badges for their participation in filming an episode of the show on board. Another cadet had the privilege of sailing on TS Royalist, our flagship three-masted tall ship.

Each year, Sea Cadet units undergo various inspections to ensure efficient operation. These inspections cover admin, training and development, risk assessments, staff competency, safeguarding, and boating hours. Despite our limited boating hours, we performed well in our inspection and were awarded our first pennant.

There are three levels of achievement in these inspections: a Captain's Commendation, a pennant, and a Burgee, with the Burgee being the highest accolade. We earned a commendation in 2022 and a pennant this year, so next year, we're aiming for a Burgee.

This year, you will see our cadets and staff in the new Royal Navy PCS Uniform (Personal Clothing System), replacing the Number 4s. They will look just like the RN crew when issued.

I would like to conclude by expressing my heartfelt thanks to the RYYC in general and the RYYC Dinghy Section in particular for their help, support, and patience in helping us reach this milestone.

Yours aye, Commanding Officer Petty Officer, Martin Jolly SCC

Last updated 3:33pm on 8 July 2024