Officer Cadets from Edinburgh Universities’ Royal Naval Unit (Edinburgh URNU) started the new year with activity on and off the water.
Officer Cadets – who are students at Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Napier and Queen Margaret universities – spent a weekend on board their training vessel HMS Archer undertaking sea training on a visit to the Scottish Borders’ town of Eyemouth.
The Officer Cadets undertook navigation and passage planning, get the opportunity to take the helm, and safely navigate HMS Archer (pictured above) from her home port of Leith to Eyemouth and back again using paper and electronic charts and the radar. This training weekend helped students to consolidate theoretical classroom training and apply what they’ve learned in a real-world environment.
For several Officer Cadets it was their first time at sea and gave them the perfect opportunity to put into practice the skills they have already gained as members of the URNU. It also allowed them to develop the skills to live and work in close proximity for a weekend, working as a team and cater for 15 people in a tiny galley (kitchen).
The highlight of the trip for many was practicing damage control scenarios whilst at sea. After receiving practical demonstrations in damage control the Officer Cadets practiced routines for fighting fires and floods.
Officer Cadet Giselle Chicot said: “My first sea weekend was a fantastic experience! The ships company were so helpful and I feel like I learned a lot. It was great to go on the Sea Weekend with the good friends I have made at the unit”.
Meanwhile, thirteen Officer Cadets have also been taking part in adventurous training in Glenshee.
Setting off before sunrise, the team summited the Corbett Ben Gulabin but deteriorating weather cut short their ascent of the Munro of Carn a Gheoidh
On the final day, teams of students tackled a high rope assault course, spurred on by friendly rivalry and turned their hands to shooting with both bow and arrow and air rifles.
The weekend was a success and with new and more experienced members of the unit gelling together. First-year Officer Cadet Doulton said: “I really relished the opportunity to engage with the team completing challenging exercises. I was nervous of heights at first, but I found my fellow Officer Cadets very supportive, and I thoroughly enjoyed it”
If you’re a student at one of Edinburgh’s universities and are thinking about joining, find out how to apply on the Edinburgh Universities’ Royal Naval Unit website.