The aim of Offshore operations is to provide opportunities for Sea Cadets to develop their knowledge and skills to further their understanding of the
seagoing way of life, by enabling them to go afloat in vessels capable of
Offshore passage making.  For each individual Cadet the target should be to spend at least one week afloat offshore in a power vessel and another in a sailing vessel, during time in the Corps.  (TI's Chapter 28 - 2801)

To help achieve the objective above, the Sea Cadet Corps have at their
disposal the power vessel TS JOHN JERWOOD (12 Cadet berths), the 100ft sailing Brig TS ROYALIST (24 Cadet berths), and the two 35ft sailing cutters, TS VIGILANT & TS CITY LIVERYMAN (5 Cadet berths each).  Despite the limited number of Cadet places available, the vessels are not fully booked each year, therefore Commanding Officers should place a higher emphasis on advertising these vessels to their Cadets.
(See Offshore Training Programme)

It can be argued that the cost of berths are high, but an equivalent course in a commercial training vessel would be in the region of three times the cost.  Therefore Offshore operations within the Corps are relatively cheap and good value for money.  Plus to help offset some of the cost there are various
sponsorships and bursaries available to Cadets.  Eastern Area offered to sponsor one Cadet from each Unit within the Area to the tune of £50, the take up was low.  Therefore, as mentioned, advertise these courses to your Cadets.

I propose to charter one, or if the take up requires, both yachts for a week training for Eastern Area Cadets in 2006.  Hopefully this will increase the Area's participation in Offshore operations.

K I DICKINSON
LT (SCC) RNR
ASO (OS)