Formby Maritime Cadets have been busy in the school holidays...

Formby Maritime Cadets have been a busy bunch throughout the Summer holidays.

July 2017 Formby Maritime Cadets (FMC) committee was formed. We elected our first Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary. Thank you to everyone for attending and giving up your time to help make FMC an even more successful venture.

28TH July 2017. Summer holidays kicked off with a visit onboard ACL’s Atlantic Star. We had a great time with everyone amazed at the size of her. We were shown around the all the decks and met the Captain who showed us the Bridge before taking us up onto the Bridge Deck where we were able to see the cargo being unloaded. A big thank you to ACL, Peel Ports and Mrs Schofield for arranging the visit.

29-30 July 2017. The Maritime Cadet National Conference took place at Formby Unit. This gave the opportunity for staff from all over the country to get together and discuss the future of the MCA. Staff from Formby unit were heavily involved not only in the Conference but in the preparations and catering for all the delegates for the weekend. SLt A Smith received her promotion to Lt confirming her as the Commanding Officer of FMC.

5th August 2017. Another fun day boating was had a Knowsley. Cadets took part in Kayaking and Sailing working towards their first qualifications.

11th August 2017. We spent the day at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Training and Development Academy. Everyone had the opportunity to have a go on a climbing wall, watch demonstrations of how people are cut out of cars, and how fires from a gas explosion are put out. The cadets took part in a quiz and two were lucky enough to be awarded a prize. Junior Mariner Hayes had the chance to put out a fire, while Junior Mariner Kitis got to go up in the Aerial Lift.

12th August 2017. A very special date for two of our members of staff. Coxswain Dwayne Atkinson took the hand of MI Alainnah Waterworth in marriage. A very special and beautiful day was celebrated at St Philips church in Southport followed by a wonderful reception at the Clifton Hotel. May we take this opportunity to wish them a long and happy life together and may they be blessed with lots of future cadets.

Yes that is a ball and chain round his ankle. Start as you mean to go on Alainnah.

18th August 2017. Kathleen & May visit. This was an action packed day aboard the Kathleen & May a historical tall ship in Albert Dock. After a tour of the ship the cadets had the opportunity to climb out on the bowsprit before sending the staff out and chanting ‘JUMP’. The cadets took the chance to go onboard and talk to the crews of some of the yachts taking part in the round the world clipper race that departed from Liverpool. They also had a tour of the Pelican a sail training ship part of the MAST group. A big thank you to Jeff and Cindy for making this day possible, especially as it was Jeff’s birthday.

19-20th August 2017 Regional Boating Camp at Knowsley. This weekend saw the cadets from all the Units getting together for our first Regional camp under canvas. It was a brilliant weekend enjoyed by all with everyone working hard towards boating qualifications. Four cadets managed to complete their Paddlepower Passport qualification and one cadet achieved her stage one Youth Sailing. Everyone else has made excellent progress towards their own qualification. A bit more practice and everyone will get their first boating badges, keep up the good work.

29th August 2017 Junior Mariner R Potts presented the Commanding Officer with £110 sponsor money she raised by taking part in a sponsored swim. This was an amazing fete as she thought of and arranged the event herself. Bravo Zulu (well done) and a huge thank you to Rebecca from everyone at Formby Maritime Cadets.

As you can see we have had a busy time. I would like to say a big thank you from all the staff for taking part. I’ve had some excellent feedback saying what a well behaved and polite group you are and everyone has said we’d be welcome back. Finally I would like to say a big thank you to the staff of FMC who have all given up their holidays to provide the cadets with these opportunities. THANK YOU ALL.