TS Outeniqua cadets tops

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - It was a proud moment for the TS Outeniqua Sea Cadet Training Ship on Monday, 29 April, when she was awarded the Professor Milne Trophy for the best sea cadet unit in the country.

In addition, the commanding officer, Thurston Amsterdam, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (SC).

Cadets and officers had reason to celebrate as they beat 13 other units to walk off with the top accolade as the best sea cadet unit in the country.

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Commander (SC) Wally Maritz, Acting Area Officer and a former Officer Commanding of the TS Outeniqua not only handed over the coveted trophy, but also pinned the new rank insignia on to the uniform of Lieutenant (SC) Amsterdam. Amsterdam was himself a cadet at the TS Outeniqua and returned to serve his community and the youth of Mossel Bay as an officer at the TS Outeniqua.

"Thurston Amsterdam came back to the Sea Cadet Corps to train you, to invest in your future, because that is what it is about, caring for future generations.

"I am pretty sure that when you become adults, you will do exactly the same thing. We need people like you who understand the corps, who were trained properly to come back and invest in future generations that will follow in your footsteps," Commander (SC) Maritz said.

"It is one of my highlights of this year, as an officer in the Sea Cadet Corps, to give an officer his promotion."

The executive mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderman Harry Levendal, commended all officers, training staff and cadets of the TS Outeniqua for their dedication and commitment and congratulated them on being the best sea cadet unit in South Africa.

"The Mossel Bay Council and municipality are particularly proud of the manner in which the young people of Mossel Bay engage with the sea cadets and with the TS Outeniqua.

"The sea cadets is a voluntary organisation, requiring more of the officers and training staff who hold permanent jobs in addition to their work with the young leaders of tomorrow. We salute you."

Annually senior officers assess each training ship on a range of criteria, among which are the standard of training, the level of commitment from the young people towards the sea cadets, compliance with regulations and retention of cadets.

The TS Outeniqua has been successful in placing students with bursaries at training facilities in Simonstown.

The Sea Cadets movement in South Africa traces its origins back to the first South African Training Ship (TS) located on Woodstock Beach in Cape Town.

The TS Woltemade was opened on 8 June 1905. The movement spread throughout South Africa and currently there are 15 training ships intended to develop those values and skills required to ensure that the maritime industry is provided with recruits who have a passion for the sea.

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