Seamanship Training Unit

Safety is paramount at sea and during initial seamanship safety training a great deal of emphasis is placed on ensuring students completely understanding a ship’s hazards and are able to work safely on the upperdeck of a warship at sea.

Great emphasis is placed on safety measures throughout seamanship training and students progress from theory in the classroom to practical exercises on the full size Replenishment at Sea Rig, which simulates the transfer of stores, fuel and other equipment from a Royal Fleet Auxiliary Vessel to a warship at sea. They also undergo training at Jupiter Point, HMS Raleigh’s waterfront based Sea Sense Training Centre.

Jupiter point also provides coxswain and crew training in all RN service boats both powered and sail. Courses range from basis introductions to advanced tactical coxswain courses requiring a great deal of skill and experience.

Also based at Jupiter Point is a former Royal Navy minehunter, HMS Brecon. Now called a Seamanship Training Vessel(STV), Brecon is moored to the riverbed and therefore cannot go to sea. However, STV Brecon still provides recruits with a very useful introduction to life at sea, additionally it allows Seaman Specialists to hone their seamanship skills such as anchoring, Swimmer of the Watch and the hoisting/lowering of sea boats.