Seamanship Training Activities

BASIC SEAMANSHIP TRAINING 

Basic seamanship training forms an integral part of initial naval training for new recruits. During their seamanship phase they learn basic terminology, how to recognize and wear safety and survival equipment, along with how to tie common knots, bends and hitches.

Once recruits are able to operate safely at sea the training moves onto maritime navigation and how to crew and drive a seaboat. This will equip recruits with skills that should enable them to recover from emergency situations if required. Finally their seamanship training completes with an introduction to replenishment operations, here they will be taught how to take their part in the ship’s team that fuels and stores the ship, from a tanker, whilst underway at sea.

CAREER COURSES

As their careers progress Seaman Specialists return to the Seamanship Training Unit to undergo further training to prepare for promotion. This training is leadership and management based and requires a certain level of seamanship experience which will have been gained from time they will have spent at sea aboard RN warships. They learn how to plan and lead Replenishment at Sea (RAS) operations as well as to how anchor and berth the ship safely and correctly. Safety is obviously paramount and career courses demand that students stand back and take charge of evolutions rather than actually carrying out the work.

OTHER COURSES

HMS Raleigh’s waterfront based Sea Sense Training Centre is sited close by at Jupiter Point. Here Seaboat Coxswains are trained to drive a variety of Service boats from high performance craft to slower inflatables. Training roughly follows the RYA Power Boat syllabus, courses range from basic navigation and boat handling to expert instructor level. Again safety is paramount, every step is taken to ensure training is delivered in a safe and controlled environment allowing boat driving skills to develop before moving to more advanced work in coastal waters.