Cadets sail through active modules despite living during turbulent times

Dry-docked for the foreseeable, Oban Sea Cadets have overcome their frustration at being unable to participate in normal sea cadet activity by making waves online.

Early in the lockdown phase (some 12 weeks now), staff at the Oban unit frantically implemented online measures that enabled members to continue their sea cadet experience.

Wariness of this new method of interaction was soon eradicated and the initiative has proven to be quite successful. Weekly Zoom online parade sessions are popular, with the cadets stating that it is the only way they got to see and chat to their friends face to face.

There is also an online Google classroom for tutorial sessions where cadets can return completed assignments to be awarded their respective modules. These include topics such as seamanship, corps knowledge, first aid and much more.

As a result of this participation, some of the cadets have completed their sections and are eligible for promotion. On Thursday June 4, the unit held their first online promotion ceremony at their weekly Zoom session during which Commanding Officer PO Malcolm MacNeil presented the award certificates to each cadet via email. The cadets were delighted as were the staff as they were well deserved. Congratulations go to Kate Home (top left), Christopher Denheijer, promoted to Able Cadet; William Sykes (top centre), Callum Neil (top right), promoted to Ordinary Cadet; Kiaran McIntyre, Cameron McEwan (above left) and Rhys Neil (below left), promoted to Cadet 1st Class.