Sea Cadets make a splash at Welton Waters and Tall Ships Youth Trust

We have a long-standing relationship with the Sea Cadets and this year we were pleased to support the Hull Sea Cadets again, sponsoring their annual trip to Welton Waters, as well as the Tall Ships Youth Trust sailing challenge.

The annual trip to Welton Waters is a four-day camping and sailing trip that allows Sea Cadets to practice their sailing skills by day and their camping skills by night. This year a cohort of 30 Cadets – from 10 to 16 years old – took part.

The trip allows the Cadets to take part in a range of activities including, sailing, wind surfing, paddle boarding and rowing, and build up their practical boating hours which are needed to secure various achievements, like the water borne qualification. We hope that by supporting initiatives such as this, we can help to inspire the next generation of mariners from a region that has historic links with the sea and seafaring.  We currently have six cadets in training with the Company and we are looking to help others who see their future career at sea.

This year, the weather was difficult due to an unusual amount of rain and wind, however the Cadets’ spirits remained high, and they got a lot out of the trip. It has already been booked in for next year – we can’t wait!

Sally Green, Commanding Officer of the Hull Sea Cadets, said:

“I have been with the Sea Cadets since 2007 and have led the Hull Cadets since 2018 when I took over as Commanding Officer. We have been running this trip for three years and we all volunteer our time, but without the sponsorship from North Atlantic Fishing Company it would not be possible.

“It was a difficult period during and post pandemic and there isn’t as much money to support these kinds of activities, so it is very important and means a lot to the kids that attend. Some don’t get the opportunity to get out on the water, so this trip offers them the chance to learn new skills and meet new people. Welton Waters has some amazing instructors, giving the cadets an opportunity to be around professionals, learning and building upon their sailing and practical skills.”

Ollie Reid, Sea Cadet, aged 15 said:

“This year’s trip has been fantastic! I have been able to build up my boating hours and even managed to get my Competent Crew and Powerboat level 2 qualifications. We have been involved in various activities during the trip including kayaking and paddleboarding as well as playing games in the water.

“Being in the Sea Cadets opens up opportunities that not many other people get. I am still considering my options about my future career, but I have always wanted to be in the Navy as that is what all of my family has done.

“As one of the older Cadets I have been helping the younger ones get their qualifications and helping with the day-to-day tasks. I will definitely be back next year to make some more brilliant memories.”

Celen Ozkan, Sea Cadet, aged 14 said:

“During the week we have done a little bit of everything, campcraft, power boating and lots of team building activities. We have also all managed to get our boating hours up to help towards our qualifications.

“It has been very wet, but we have all got a lot closer as a group, and on an evening we all sit round the campfire and cook our dinner. I have been every year and it is always a great week – I will be back next year. I am also going to the Tall Ships Youth Trust sailing trip; I am very excited!”

Following the Welton Waters trip, a group of the older Cadets took the opportunity to be involved in the annual Tall Ships Youth Trust yacht Challenger 3 trip. The Cadets embarked on a five-night residential voyage, setting sail from Portsmouth to Poole Bay,  onto Cowes, Lymington and Osborne Bay before heading back to end the trip at Portsmouth. It gave them some practical skills coupled with theory work alongside the Skippers.

The Tall Ships Youth Trust, formerly the Sail Training Association, is a registered charity founded in 1956 and dedicated to the personal development of young people aged 12 to 25 through the crewing of its fleet of vessels. We sponsor this trip annually, as part of our ambitions to support the local fishing communities and to inspire the next generation of fisher people.

We believe it is vital to support local charities and organisations, with the aim to help provide fun and educational experiences for the younger generation