At Bridport Sea Cadets they aim to give young people 10 – 18 years an experience that will help them grow into the person they want to be in a safe and friendly environment.
Through various activities and adventures, they learn teamwork, respect, loyalty, self-confidence, commitment, self-discipline, honesty and how to be the best version of themselves.
They offer a range of different activities from sailing, windsurfing and power-boating – to rock climbing, camping, and music. Please note: No one boards a boat until they have completed their safety tuition course.
Sea Cadets are also able to gain different qualifications that they can take with them once they leave the unit. Sea Cadets is different from school. There’s a lot of learning. But it’s done through activities – on the water and off the water. Everyone looks after each other at Sea Cadets. There’s a lot of respect in the air. And many teenagers and volunteers say it feels like a second family. They have robust, active safeguarding practices in place to ensure all young people feel secure and protected.
The Sea Cadet Promise:
I promise to serve my God, my Queen, my country, and, the Sea Cadet Corps and to obey the orders of my superior officers. I will be proud of my uniform and be smart and seamanlike in wearing it, and, always do my duty.
N.B. My God refers to an individual’s own faith and is intended to apply equally to those from all faiths or none.
Contact Bridport Sea Cadets:
Telephone: 01308 456601
Email: bridportscc@outlook.com
How the Sea Cadets were formed:
Following the Crimean war, in 1856, the Naval Lads’ Brigade was born: Coastal communities had banded together to provide places for sailors to pass on nautical skills and training to give the destitute orphans a future.
Soon, Brigades were springing up across the country, and 1894, the Navy League was formed in London, decorating Lord Nelson’s column on Trafalgar Day (21st October) to remind the people of the importance of the country having a strong Navy.
In 1899, Queen Victoria marked their importance to young people by becoming Patron, and giving £10 (the approx. equivalent of £1,000 today) to the Windsor unit for their uniforms.
Queen Elizabeth II is their Patron now. Sea Cadets follow a similar ethos, training plan, and ranks, to the Royal Navy, and are recognised by the UK Ministry of Defence.
A £50,000 donation in 1936 by Morris Motors founder, Lord Nuffield enabled the Sea Cadets to expand. They purchased their first sailing vessel, the T.S. Bounty which could take 40 Cadets on a week long sailing trip.
In 1942, King George VI was Admiral and the name Sea Cadet Corps was adopted and the Girl’s Nautical Training Corps was formed. (It wouldn’t be until 1980 when the Girl’s Nautical Training Corps officially merged with the Sea Cadet Corps.)
1955 introduced a Royal Marines Cadet section within the Sea Cadet Corps.
In 1971, the T.S. Royalist was commissioned by H.R.H. Princess Anne.
The Sea Cadet Values:
- Courage
- Commitment
- Discipline
- Respect
- Integrity
- Honesty.
The Progression Path through Sea Cadets:
- Sea Cadets is open to any young person between ages 9 and 18 years.
- Junior Sea Cadets: For 10 to 12 years. They have their own training programme and uniform, based around a more practical version of the Sea Cadets training programme. When Junior Sea Cadets turn 11 years and 10 months, they can move up to being a New Entry to learn courses, before moving up to become a Sea Cadet.
- Sea Cadets: For 12 to 17 years. Young people can join as a Sea Cadet and work their way up through the training programme. When cadets turn 18 years, they can either leave the Corps or they can stay on as staff.