Sea Cadets Training and Development

Neal Somerville, Sea Cadets Training and Development worker from the Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) spoke to tha Club Monday 3 November. The Sea Cadets are a recognised youth organisation for 10-18 year olds with 400 units in the UK training 14,000 young people with 9000 adult volunteers. There are 11 units in NI.

In his most interesting address he advised that the MSCC is the country's largest maritime charity. The Marine Society gives support to seafarers and helps them learn life-skills and gain accredited qualifications. The Sea Cadets give young people amazing opportunities for personal development, finding new confidence and inspiration, friends and learning new skills through team activities on water and land.

They learn sailing, rowing, power boating, kayaking, canoeing, navigation, first aid, chart work and, of course, parading Navy style. They have 3 yachts, 2 power boats and the Flagship is TS Royalist. They can also obtain BTEC and Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

He advised they are currently looking for members of the Boards of Trustees for the 11 NI units to take the charity forward and build on past successes. He also noted that they are looking for financial help for a purpose-built unit in the Harbour Estate for the East Belfast Unit.