Monday 14th February 2005

RFA Fort Victoria is a handy ship to have around, as the cadets and staff from TS Dianthus found out this weekend on a visit to her on Plymouth Sound.

The Cadets were treated to a busy two days taking in every part of the ship from the engine room to the bridge, finishing with NBCD training with members of the ship's company on the Saturday.

The Unit Commanding Officer Lt Bray said: “ With the constant increasing demand being placed on ships of the RFA and RN, chances to get Cadets onboard for a few days are rare, so we were delighted to be given the opportunity for the cadets to see first hand what living on board a ship of this size is like. All the cadets had a great time and are looking forward to a return visit.

Cadets from Woking got to grips with Fire Fighting procedures and what it feels like to have 200 tonnes of seawater dumped on them (see photos below).

Some Facts about Fort Victoria:

Class: Fort Victoria-class Fleet replenishment Ship
Pennant Number: A387
Launched: June 12, 1990
Length: 203.5 metres,   Weight: 36,500 tons,   Speed: 22 Knots   Crew: 134

SIMPLY THE BEST - THAT'S THE SEA CADETS !