Cadets from Burnham-On-Sea’s 290 Air Squadron have this week been experiencing at first-hand how the Royal Navy fights fires and saves sinking warships.
A 12-strong contingent visited HMS Raleigh in Plymouth where they were put through their paces on ‘Havoc’, the Royal Navy’s state-of-the-art sinking ship simulator.
The equipment tests the cadets’ leadership skills in a cold, dark, tilting environment with various holes in the hull. Against the slowly rising water, the teenage cadets fought to ‘save’ the ship against the clock.
They were also got hands-on experience with the Royal Navy’s fire fighting team, finding out about fire-fighting at sea. The cadets used the extinguishers to put out several training fires.
Flying Officer Chris Garrett, who organised the trip, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This was a fantastic opportunity for the cadets to experience real-life emergencies in a training scenario. It has given them a real insight into military life and has helped their leadership skills.”
290 Squadron Air Training Corps is based in Burnham at the Cadet Centre on Highbridge Road (TA8 1LN), where they meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7.30pm and 9.45pm. For more information, contact 290 Squadron on 01934 647805 between these times.
