HMS Excellent Visit

Posted at 10:53 am on 5th July, 2022

Inspiring Royal Navy Visit for CCF Cadets

Wellacre’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) unit travelled to Portsmouth for a three night residential accompanied by SSI Ward and SLt Baker.

The cadets first made a visit to the HMS historic dockyard, including the National Museum of the Royal Navy museum.  They explored one of the most celebrated warships in Britain’s naval history, HMS Victory, followed by HMS Warrior, Britain’s first iron-hulled, armoured battleship.

The next port of call was HMS Excellent, which is home to the Naval Headquarters and front-line training units and based on Whale Island in Portsmouth Harbour.

On the naval base, they conducted fire fighting training for navy personnel.  Students took part in a workshop, watching a fire demonstration before being challenged to use the skills learned to extinguish a fire onboard a training ship. 

   

Cadets also spent time on the facility’s DRIU (Damage Repair Instruction Unit) to experience an emergency damage control drill onboard a ship.  Cadets were dressed in full service gear and trained to use the equipment, before the special unit was flooded and they were tasked with finding the damage and driving wedges in the hull with hammers. 

SLt Baker, said:

“The trip was an excellent Royal Navy experience and an opportunity for our cadets to expand their naval history knowledge.

“The naval training exercises at HMS Excellent were an incredible chance for them to experience life on board a ship and they performed brilliantly in the drills using their teamwork and communication skills; they loved the experience.”

Cadet Luke, Year 9, added:

“The DRIU was the best part because it gave me a taste of real life in the Navy. The fire fighting was good too - we learnt how to fight a fire in a limited space.  The whole experience was really exciting!”

Mrs Sharrock, Principal, commented:

“The students and staff had an amazing time with our cadets demonstrating exemplary behaviour and real resilience in the naval workshops.  Thank you to the staff for giving up their time for students.”

Published by Charlie, Year 10, Work Experience