Cornwallis Sea Cadets to build unmanned submersible device technology

Device expected to get kids interested in underwater technology

The 26 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Cornwallis are taking advantage of a new pilot project.

Beginning in September the group will be testing a project called the SeaPerch. Cadets will have to build a remotely controlled vehicle (ROV) from a kit, then they will test it out.

“I think it will help get the kids interested in underwater technol- ogy,” said Cornwallis Sea Cadet Corp volunteer Pat Smale.

The SeaPerch can be maneuvered underwater and cadets will be able to guide the machine with a controller. A small underwater camera can be attached to track the device’s movements.

Some of the skills cadets will learn from the device include soldering, wiring, balance and water displacement.

“When we told our current cadets about it, their interest rate peaked up.”

Cadets will be working as a team, gaining theoretical and practical knowledge involving ocean engineering, underwater technology and submarine design.

Test and training dives are being planned at a local pool, followed by open water dives at the Cadet Sail Center in Annapolis Royal.

The SeaPerch originated as a program sponsored by the US Navy’s Office of Naval Research and managed by the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Foundation. Currently they are used by the US Navy Sea Cadets and many US school systems.

Competitions are held in the US between schools.

“Hopefully if other groups get involved we can do a competition here too,” Smale said.

The 26 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Cornwallis are possibly the first Canadian Sea Cadet group to test the project.

They are hoping this project helps recruit youth to want to join the group.

There are very few youth in the group from the Digby area and they would like to see more to come in the future. Youth ages 12 to 18 are welcome to join the Sea Cadet Corp and participate.

Meetings are every Wednesday evening at Champlain Hall, Annapolis Basin Conference Center, Cornwallis

The current season ends in June but will start again in September.

Contact Lt.(N) Darren Ashe at 902-247-2033 for further information.

For general information on Canada’s Cadets program go to www.cadets.ca and for further information on the SeaPerch ROV go to SeaPerch.org