International Off Shore sailing

The cadet crew with their skipper and the NZ Consul General

Six Sea Cadet Corps cadets from TS Talisman recently completed a voyage to New Caledonia as crew of the 15 metre yacht “Simply Wild”.  The crew were under the command of Sub Lieutenant Milo Coldren (NZCF).

After undergoing numerous off-shore sailing experiences the tired but elated crew bought their yacht safely into Noumea where they were greeted at the Port Moselle Marina by Mr Simon Draper, the New Zealand Consul General. Mr Draper provided the crew with fantastic assistance and encouragement during their stay.

While in Noumea the cadets were invited to tour HMNZS Canterbury. After being warmly welcomed by the Commanding Officer, Commander Gilmour, they received a full tour of the ship including experiencing a sailor’s lunch in the main mess.

Not to be outdone in hospitality by our Navy, the French Navy put on a tour of their Navy Base. The cadets received a personal presentation from the Commanding Officer, LTCDR Matila, and enjoyed an engaging tour before boarding a Navy tug for a trip out to the French Landing Craft Jacques Cartier.

The stay was not all tours and entertainment.  For three days the cadets practiced in-shore navigation working out their passage and positions within the reef using traditional chart and compass techniques. All electronic navigation aids were deliberately rendered “out of action” for this exercise.

When asked for their thoughts every cadet considered the experience a life altering journey, both physically and mentally. They learnt to work as a team, to rely and be relied on, to develop their self-confidence and they came to know that they could survive and even thrive outside their comfort zones. Each cadet was also totally aware that their individual experiences were only possible because of the support they had received from extended family, friends and their community.

Given the opportunity all of them would jump at the chance to repeat the whole experience, from fund-raising to sailing into their final destination.