Rossall School’s CCF Royal Navy Cadets Enjoy a Taste of Naval Life

In September, six senior cadets from Rossall School travelled to Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, where they enjoyed an exciting weekend full of activities. From testing their skills at archery and practicing their drill, to exploring the impressive training facilities, the cadets experienced a real taste of naval life.

The cadets also had the chance to meet serving Royal Navy officers and gained valuable insights into what life is like on board a warship and within the Royal Navy training establishments.

The weekend was made even more memorable with five cadet promotions, an inspection by a visiting officer, and the outstanding success of every cadet successfully completing their Royal Navy Swim Test, a tremendous achievement!

Experiencing Something Different

After returning to school, a drill night saw nine cadets invited to the Lancashire Industrial Fire Training Centre in Fleetwood, where they were given a guided tour of the facilities, and learnt about different classes of fire and how to select the right extinguisher for each. The highlight came when cadets put theory into practice, extinguishing controlled fires themselves and tackling safe movement exercises in a dark container.

Life at the Helm

October brought further challenges and triumphs as the remainder of the section completed their Cadet Swim Test, before the Autumnal Field Day. Although strong winds prevented the planned Sailing at Waterside Lodge, the cadets rose to the occasion and instead navigated a series of Practical Leadership Tasks (PLTs), something that they did with such enthusiasm and teamwork.

Cadets were also welcomed to Fleetwood Nautical Campus to experience life at the helm. Stepping into the Nautical College’s impressive Bridge Simulators, the cadets took command of virtual vessels, learning the essentials of ship handling, navigation and teamwork on the bridge. From virtually turning a tanker short around in Dover, to manoeuvring at speed in a fast rescue craft in San Francisco, each of the cadets demonstrated impressive nerve and composure at the controls, and a practical understanding of collision regulations.

The trip offered a fascinating glimpse into the world of modern seafaring and was an inspiring event for our cadets who got to experience what maritime life could be like, as well as enhancing their team working skills and friendships.