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AREA STAFF OFFICER MARINE ENGINEERING
The situation with regard to courses and available Instructors has not changed and, therefore, I repeat my comment from last year.
As can be seen from the National Training Programme there are very few courses being run at HMS SULTAN with only a few more at HMS GANNET. Even so, we are still desperately short of both supervisory staff and
Instructors to run the courses we have been allocated. Unfortunately, those of us who have been donating a week of their annual holiday for many years are getting even longer in the tooth and, if younger people do not come
forward, we are going to lose these very valuable assets.
Conversely, one or two courses at HMS GANNET have been
under-subscribed and, whilst it is appreciated the rail journey for our Cadets involves a time of around 10 hours each way, there is an alternative which is to fly from Stansted to Prestwick. Because HQ do not have an arrangement with Stansted it does mean Units have to pay for the flight themselves and then claim it back afterwards. I have had to do this 3 times myself so far
without any problem, provided HQ know about it beforehand.
I am working with Cambridge Unit to establish a Class III and II approved training facility so that Area courses can be run.
The Cadets have been busy as always, of course, and the results of their
efforts and those of their Instructors over the last 12 months are as follows:-
2004 2004
Class III 69 passes (81) Class II 5 passes (2)
Class 1 (M) 0 passes (1) Class I (L) 0 passes (0)
Although the number of Cadets passing the Class III course is slightly down on last year this is still a good effort. I am particularly pleased to see the
increase in Class II qualifications especially as 2 courses at HMS SULTAN were cancelled this year due to lack of accommodation due to the IFOS
celebrations. Well done to all concerned!
P GRIFFIN
LT (SCC) RNR
ASO (MarE)
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