§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sea-based training takes place at BRNC Dartmouth. [129803]
§ Mr. SpellarAll Naval Cadets joining BRNC undertake an extensive package of training in the 67 boats owned by the College. This training is carried out on the River Dart and surrounding sea area with some sailing and motor vessels ranging as far as France and the Channel Islands. The aim of this training is to familiarise the cadets with the maritime environment, and all cadets are required to prove their competence in a variety of craft.
In the second term of the cadets' training a six week period is spent undertaking Initial Sea Training (IST) in an operational warship. The ship continues with her normal programme so, for example, cadets were onboard HMS Chatam while she was engaged on Operation Palliser (Sierra Leone). The aim of this period is to provide naval cadets with an experience of life as a junior rating, thus gaining an insight into the working conditions and lifestyle of the men and women they aspire to lead.