Edinburgh students power up with weekend on the water

Officer cadets from Edinburgh University Royal Naval Unit headed up the east coast of Scotland for a weekend of powerboat action.

The students made use of Stonehaven’s Sea Cadets facilities (TS Carron) as they determined to complete their Royal Yachting Association (RYA) level 2 powerboating qualification – allowing them to drive powered boats up to ten metres in length off the UK coast.

Instruction began with a recap on theory – opportune as the weather wasn’t the best for going out on the boats.

Since the weather wasn’t conducive for training, the cadets finished the day slightly earlier than planned… but gave them the chance to explore nearby Dunnottar Castle and some of the historic districts of Aberdeen.

To catch up on lost time on the water, the students were up at 6.30 on Sunday ready to be in the boats by 8am.

Once on the significantly calmer waters, the officer cadets were shown how to come alongside, complete a man-overboard exercise and anchor.

And having successfully completed all those drills, hauled the RIBs out of the water and cleaned the boats, the students headed back down the coast… each with a new powerboating qualification.