Blood, Sweat & Some Tears 2009 YEAR END SEA CADET CAMP By Lt Glenn von Zeil, SA Naval Reserve

The Sea Cadet motto “Blood Sweat & Tears” with a good dose of fun was how several Sea Cadets described their year end-camp at TS Woltemade in Lakeside.

Eighty-five Sea Cadets from TS Knysna and TS Woltemade spent 5 fun filled days at an annual camp at TS Woltemade in Lakeside under the direction of Cdr (SASCC) Philip Miller, Officer Commanding, his staff and members of the SA Navy and SA Naval Reserve.

Sea Cadet recipients proudly show their Fire Fighting Station & Watch keeping Certification 1995. Thank you to Red Watch for their kind assistance. (Note that some are missing due to family commitments)

Several SA Navy and Naval Reserve members along with Cadet Instructors provided the knowledge, skills and opportunities for Cadets to learn new skills and practically participate in:

• Seamanship, especially rope work

• Boatwork, especially sailing and pulling

• Ship’s routine, especially discipline and maintaining of mess decks

• Identifying and enhancing leadership qualities

• Chefs training

• Fire Fighting

• Communication, especially radio procedures

Three ex Sea Cadets who are committed to the Sea Cadets and act as role models and instructors to a younger generation, CPO Nolan Hern, SAS AMATOLA, Cdr (SASCC) Philip Miller, OC TS Woltemade, and PO Andre Bestha, Sailing Centre SAS Simonsberg.	PO Goban from SAS Simonberg, demonstrates a back splice to an enthusiastic group of Sea Cadets.

The attached photographs and captions give a visual representation of the Sea Cadets activities.

Sponsorship was raised from several benefactors, mainly from SANDF Reserve Officers, to support those Sea Cadets whose families were not in a position to fund their camp or certificated training.

Support was also forthcoming from The Seven Seas Trust in London who not only sponsored ten Sea Cadets, but also provided T Shirts and much needed Bosun’s Calls to the Unit.  The T Shirts served as prizes to those Cadets who excelled as Cox’ns of Saldanha sailing dinghies built by Cadets themselves.

Able Seaman Wyman (14 years old), Camp Chef in Charge, who volunteered and catered for 85 souls, 3 meals a day and 9 O’Clockers!	Cadet catering assistants in the TS Woltemade Galley preparing meals for 85

These funds have assisted with the following in order to make the camp financially viable and meaningful for the Sea Cadets:

• 22 Sea Cadets were fully sponsored

• 8 Sea Cadets were partially sponsored

• Assistance towards consumables and training material

• 15 Sea Cadets were able to complete the SAMSA accredited Marine Fire Fighting course

This was the second group of Sea Cadets to have completed the Marine Fire Fighting course – accredited by SAMSA as complying with the IMO Standards of Training & Certification of Watch keepers (STCW).  The course is therefore internationally recognised and valid for 5 years.  To date 37 Sea Cadets & Instructors have accomplished this.  The theory and practical instruction was provided by “Red Watch” fire fighting training in Tokai at a special discounted rate.

TS Woltemade will continue to focus their fund raising efforts in 2010 on the following areas to assist Sea Cadets in need and to provide practical training for those who wish to pursue a career at sea.

• Funding for Sea Cadets Annual fee.  (R400 Per Cadet per Year)

• Mid Year and Year End Camps. (R60 per day per Sea Cadet, R300 per Camp)

• Certification of Sea Cadets in:

  • Restricted Marine Radio Operations Licence  (R150 per Sea Cadet)

  • First Aid at Sea  (R200 per Sea Cadet)

  • Marine Fire Fighting  (R500 per Sea Cadet)

Bravo Zulu to all those staff and benefactors, especially those SANDF Reserve Officers and the London Seven Seas Club Trust, who supported these future sailors to pursue their passion towards a career at sea.

Should you wish to provide support in any way please contact Lt Glenn von Zeil, 072-345-1605 / Glenn.vonZeil@uct.ac.za or Cdr (SACC) Philip Miller at 083-658-1666.