This is the report from Hebburn Sea Cadets of ‘Expedition Sailing 2023′. Our Sea Cadets are based on the River Tyne in Hebburn and this year, thanks to the grant received from the Ulysses Trust, we had twelve sea cadets, aged between 12 years to 18 years, and two adult volunteers take part in a Sail Expedition onboard the James Cook Sailing vessel.
This sail experience lasted six days and our cadets slept onboard learning about life onboard a sailing vessel. Joining day was all about Health and Safety how to work as a team and getting to know the Skipper, who oversees the vessel, and the Bosun who is part of the permanent sail crew. After this, the sea cadets embarked on the journey which took them off into the North Sea and visited Holy Island, the Port of Blyth, and Hartlepool Marina.
They took it in turns to navigate and plot the routes, steer, and guide the vessel under sail and power. They had to work as a team to make this experience work and because of their great effort, they all gained Royal Yachting Association Sail Competent Crew and the Adult Volunteers were also lucky enough to gain the same qualification.
The sea cadets involved have all gained the experience of a lifetime bonded as a team and challenged themselves out of their comfort zone. The challenge was sea sickness, something none of them had experienced before> In addition, six days and five nights sleeping in small, confined spaces without the technology and social media aspect of life was a challenge but one they all felt was rewarding.
The highlight was watching how the efforts of each other’s work made this expedition one of the best things they have ever done and that is wholeheartedly down to your generosity. We thank you for this opportunity and what this allowed for our young people.
Following on I have a short piece from one of the Cadets who were onboard. Kyle is Seventeen years old and is in full-time education he wrote.
This is just a quick message to thank you so much for the financial assistance that you so kindly gave to us at Hebburn Sea Cadets to enable the offshore experience with the Ocean Youth Trust.
I was so lucky to be one of the Cadets to attend for me personally this was the first time I was able to go offshore, and it was amazing. My favourite part was the night sailing although to be fair it was all incredible. The feeling and views I witnessed being on board and having the chance to steer the yacht at night are some of the best experiences of my life that I will never forget.
I learnt so much whilst on board from sailing, using the radio, how to put up and take down the main sails, as well as general maintenance of a boat and why this is important. I also built upon my communication skills and got to help support my friends along the way. I feel my confidence has grown as, to be honest, I was so nervous on Sunday night before going on Monday.
I am so glad I did it. I feel a lot more independent and now know that I need to stop doubting myself as much. This experience has taught me so much not only about the sailing but about myself and I can’t thank you enough for making it possible. I even managed to gain my RYA competent crew qualification and am now looking forward to growing these skills and hopefully gaining further qualifications in the future. Last but by no means least I learnt how to use a sea toilet (it’s not as easy as you think 😉).
On behalf of all at TS Kelly Hebburn Sea Cadets thank you.
