PHASE ONE CADETS MAKE BIG SPLASH ON ARRIVAL!

PHASE ONE CADETS MAKE BIG SPLASH ON ARRIVAL!

Posted: 12:00PM - Tue 25th September 2007

Monday 10 January 2005, Fleetwood Survival Centre Tank:

Today the new Nautical Campus cadets were thrown in at the deep end of their new environment. They arrived on Sunday evening, and after a busy day behind desks, were taken to the pool to meet the Offshore Team.

“They’re a great bunch,” said Steve, “and they’re going to have good fun here with us!”. Emma Boe showed the group how it was done, taking the plunge after an efficient lifejacket demonstration.

In keeping with the stringent safety requirements of the industry, cadets are shown the ropes immediately on arrival at the Campus. The pool exercise, on their first full day is a foretaste of the Personal Survival Techniques course which follows later. They must complete these safety courses before joining their first ship in six weeks’ time.

Few cadets have been to sea before, and Mike “Binky” Pearce, is one. He left the RN last year and is now a Clyde Marine-sponsored Merchant Navy Cadet Officer. “It’s a big change”, he said, “but so far I am enjoying it and looking forward to the rest of the course.”

Cadets were interested to hear that the tank has been used to film scenes for their favourite TV soaps, and more filming was scheduled this year. The tank is so realistic they were happy that the 4m wave machine was not going to be on for their swim!

After an hour’s splashing and learning safety, the College’s latest Phase One cadets dressed and went to the Refectory for their tea; a great end to a gruelling first day of a new career at sea.