New Zealand Sea Cadet Corps units

The New Zealand Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) has several units around New Zealand.

TS Achilles

TS Achilles was formed in 1961 and is based in Okahu Bay, Auckland, New Zealand

*Unit Commander - LTCDR Ford
*Location - under Hammerheads Restaurant, Okahu Bay

Dolphins

In addition to a unit of cadets, TS Achilles also currently supports a unit of Dolphins. Dolphins are an organisation akin to Cub Scouts, but for the Sea Cadets. They act as a 'feeder' organisation to the cadets, teaching children between the ages of 8 and 13 (the minimum age to join cadets)the basic skills and values of the Sea Cadet Corps.

Awards

TS Achilles has won the Northern Area Efficiency Competition several times in the past few years, not only in part due to the excellence of its administration staff.

Several cadets have been awarded prizes also through recent years. Master Cadet Hedgely received the Chief of Navy Scholarship, Ordinary Cadet Maxwell won an essay competition and accompanied the Prime Minister to Gallipoli in 2005, and Petty Officer Cadet Mariner won an essay competition and accompanied the Prime Minister to the Armistice Day celebrations of 2006 in London.

TS Amokura

TS Amokura was formed in 1963 and is based in Wellington, New Zealand

*Unit Commander - LTCDR Worth

Boating

TS Amokura has a fleet of training boats for Cadets to put skills into practice. All the boats are owned by Amokura and are available for the units use at a moments notice.

The fleet is made up of the following vessels:

*1 30' Motor Launch ML Viking
*1 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB)
*2 17' Cutter
*2 17' GRP Crown Sailing Dinghy's
*8 Sea Kayaks

Competitions

National Efficiency Competition - 2003, 2005

In 2003 and 2005, TS Amokura won the National Efficiency Trophy (see above).

National Regatta - 2001, 2004

Every four years the Sea Cadet Corps hold a National Regatta. Each of the 18 units compete for the top title.

In January 2001, TS Amokura did very well and came away with prizes, including 1st in Sailing and 3rd Overall.

In January 2004, TS Amokura did exceedingly well and came away with prizes, including 1st in Pulling (Rowing), 1st in Sailing and 1st Overall.

Central Area Regatta - 2005, 2006

Every year, excluding every fourth where a National Regatta is held (see above), an area Regatta is held. Amokura participates in the Central Area Regatta.

In March 2005, TS Amokura did very well and came away with prizes, including 1st Equal in Sailing and 1st Equal Overall.

In April 2006, TS Amokura did exceeding well and came away with all the prizes available, apart from one.

History

On December 15, 2005, the TS Amokura building caught fire. The building was completely destroyed, along with the unit’s equipment and records. All the boats were saved, however. [ [http://www.nzshipmarine.com/newpage20.aspx Nautical News] , March 2006; New Zealand Ship & Marine Society]

TS Bellona

TS Bellona was formed in 1983 and is based at the Hobsonville Air Base, Auckland, New Zealand.

*Unit Commander - LTCDR Drydan

Parade Nights

TS Bellona parades every Thursday starting at 7pm, during the School Term. Each parade night usually begins and ends with a parade. The starting parade is used to inspect uniforms, and to inform the cadets on the parade night's activities. The final parade to inform the cadets on upcoming events in the unit. Between the parades, the cadets undergo classroom, or practical instruction.

Honours

TS Bellona has won every Regatta they have participated in since 2004 including both Navy League Regattas and Both North Area Regattas. In the regattas TS Bellona won over 60% of the awards out of 10 other units, and are well regarded amongst other Cadet Forces units in the region.

TS Bellona have only lost one regatta since 2004, this regatta was the 2007 national skills regatta were TS Bellona came a very close second

Activities

Activities undertaken by TS Bellona on a regular basis include:
*Drill
*Sailing
*Boat Rigging
*Rowing
*Rifle Shooting and Marksmanship
*First Aid
*Navigation

Formal activities undertaken every few months may include:
*Regular camps with other NZ Cadet Force Units (being not only Sea Cadet Units but also cadets of the New Zealand Air Training Corps (Air Cadets) and the New Zealand Cadet Corps (Army Cadets)).
*Rifle Guard and Drill on ANZAC Day
*Trips on Naval Vessels
*Bush Work and Outdoor Courses
*Community service in aid of charitible causes, for example Poppy Day in support of New Zealand Returned Servicemen.

At the end of each school term a 'fun' event is usually scheduled, examples of recent events include:
*Tenpin Bowling
*Rock Climbing
*Laser Force and Mega Zone
*Go-Carts
*Pool Days such as at the Wave Pool
*Other ideas as suggested by Unit members

Current Boats and equipment

Boats:
*2 Crowns
*1 Cutter fully refurbished
*1 Cutter being refurbished/restored
*1 Safety Boat
*1 inflatble safety boat

Rifles:

TS Bellona is currently using the standard cadet corp rifles (rebarreled .303 to .22)

TS Calliope

TS Calliope's unit was opened in 1962, on the banks of the Whanganui River.

TS Chatham

TS Chatham is based at 1 Dive Cres, Tauranga.

Unit Commander - SQN LDR Lee White

Training Officer - Sub LT Bruce McKay

Parade NightsTS Chatham parades every Wednesday starting at 6:30pm, during the School Term. Each parade night usually begins and ends with a parade to raise or lower the colours (flag).

The starting parade is used to inspect uniforms, and to inform the cadets on the parade night's activities. The final parade to inform the cadets on upcoming events in the unit. Between the parades, the cadets undergo classroom, or practical instruction.

TS Cornwell

TS Cornwell is based at Christchurch.

TS Diomede

TS Diomede is based at Whangarei

TS Gambia

TS Gambia is based at Auckland.

TS Steadfast

TS Steadfast is based at Christchurch.

TS Talisman

TS Talisman is based at Nelson, New Zealand.

TS Taupo

TS Taupo is based at Mana, which is in the Wellington region.

TS Waireka

TS Waireka is based at Dunedin.

TS Waireka was named after the harbour board ferry SS Waireka, which had a sister ferry the SS Waikana. the skeleton of the SS Waikana currently lies in the harbour of ST Martins Island.

TS Nimrod

TS Nimrod is based at Port Chalmers, north of Dunedin. Formed in 1950, TS Nimrod was previously a division of TS Waireka.

References

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/2930/ TS Achilles (Auckland)] Web Site
* [http://groups.msn.com/tsamokurawellington/ TS Amokura (Wellington)] Web Site
* [http://www.freewebs.com/ts_cornwell/ TS Cornwell (Christchurch)] Web Site
* [http://www.gambia.org.nz/ TS Gambia (Otahuhu, Auckland)] Web Site
* [http://www.seacadets.org.nz/ TS Steadfast (Christchurch)] Web Site
* [http://www.geocities.com/tstalismannz/Talisman.html TS Talisman (Nelson)] Website
* [http://www.freewebs.com/tstaupo/ TS Taupo (Mana, Wellington)] Web Site
* [http://tswaireka.tripod.com/home/ TS Weireka (Dunedin)] Web Site