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With short notice the SW Area RN Atract team contacted Parkstone Sea Cadets with an opportunity to experience the 2024 Bournemouth Air Festival from the sea in one of the Navys P2000 patrols ships in the form of HMS Ranger. This was quickly communicated and on a first come first serve basis 8 cadets and 2 staff were soon on their way to the quay in Poole to join the ship. This became 2 ships as HMS Express was also part of the event and our team split down to even up the numbers.
After leaving port and traversing the harbour the two ships got up to speed, approx. 25-30knts and were undertaking navigational drills en-route to the display area off of Bournemouth Pier. Due to an F4-5 Easterly wind it was not possible to anchor, however, by making various about turns the two ships managed to provide a unique platform for both our ships company along with guests to enjoy the first 2 hours of the show.
Lunch was provided onboard by both ships and was really well received with all that fresh sea air. The cadets themselves ever curious manage to explore the ships from stem to stern while understanding the interaction between all of those on board from engineers to navigators, coxswains to CO who make things happen.
A huge thank you goes out to the RN Atract team for this unique opportunity and of course the respective ships companies of HMS Express & HMS Ranger who brought us all home in time for tea.
BZ
