Dreadnought
10-05-2010, 19:28
Although discussed in the Wardroom, I thought the tragic accident on the Sea Cadet Training ship TS Royalist deserved attention in a thread of its’ own. Being personally involved with our local Cadets (TS Gurkha), the loss of Jonathon is of particular sadness, shared I am sure, by every Sea Cadet Unit throughout the Country, and by every member of this Forum who has had the privilege of being a Sea Cadet in their younger years.
I am sure I am not being presumptious by sending heart felt condolences to Jonathon’s family and friends on behalf of the Forum.
BBC Press Release
A 14-year-old sea cadet who fell from a ship's rigging into the Solent died from severe chest injuries, post-mortem tests have found.
Jonathan Martin, of Ashford, Kent, was on the training ship TS Royalist, anchored at StokesBay, Gosport.
He was climbing the rigging to bring in the sails when he fell 25ft (7.5m) into the sea on Sunday at 2030 BST. He was later pronounced dead at hospital. His family said: "He was a popular young man who will be greatly missed". A spokesman said the force was preparing a file on behalf of the coroner. The teenager was one of 19 sea cadets and 10 staff on board the brig, all from south-east England and aged between 13 and 18. They were celebrating the movement's 150th anniversary at the 2010 Sea Cadet Festival, which was held at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth over the bank holiday. Mike Cornish, chief executive of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets, had said the accident happened during a standard exercise after setting anchor for the night. A statement from his family read: "Jonathan was a wonderful son and grandson who tragically died whilst doing something that he loved. "He was a popular young man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him."
The Marine Society & Sea Cadets is the UK’s largest maritime charity offering learning and development opportunities for professional seafarers and young people. The Sea Cadets is open to young people between 10 and 18. Supporting 14,000 young people, across 400 Units, it offers a range of adventure activities with a naval theme and aims to challenge young people to help them grow in confidence.
TS Royalist is the flagship training vessel of the charity taking young people aged 13.5 years and over to sea. Since 1971, thirty thousand cadets have gone to sea with Royalist. TS Royalist is a 24mt brig with capacity to take up to 24 cadets. She has a permanent crew of six plus up to three additional staff.
Statement from: The Marine Society & Sea Cadets
Re: Accident onboard TS Royalist
Date: 02 May 2010
The charity is deeply saddened to report that a tragic and fatal accident occurred on Sea Cadet training vessel TS Royalist on Sunday May 2, 2010. Our thoughts are with the young cadet’s family at this distressing and painful time. The charity is now working with the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch to establish the full details of what happened and offering every assistance to the local authorities and Police.
The protection and safeguarding of young people is of paramount importance to the charity, and we take our duty of care very seriously. TS Royalist is staffed by experienced and qualified crew. This tragic fatality is the first the ship has experienced since she was commissioned in 1971.
Statement from: The Marine Society & Sea Cadets
Re: Accident onboard TS Royalist
Date: 04 May 2010
Hampshire Police have released the name of the cadet who was involved in a tragic accident on Sea Cadet training vessel TS Royalist on Sunday May 2, 2010. Jonathan Martin, 14, from Ashford in Kent joined the Sea Cadets in 2008. It was the second trip on Royalist for Jonathan who loved the water sport aspect of Sea Cadet activities. He was a popular and much loved cadet who worked hard and was looking forward to a great future within the Sea Cadets.
We are all shocked and saddened by this tragic accident and our thoughts are with Jonathan’s family and friends at this distressing and painful time.
The protection and safeguarding of young people is of paramount importance to the charity, and we take our duty of care very seriously. TS Royalist is staffed by experienced and qualified crew. This is the first fatality the ship has experienced since she was commissioned in 1971.
The charity is working with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch to establish the full details of what happened and is offering every assistance to the local authorities and Police.
Result of Post Mortem into the death of Sea Cadet Jonathan Martin
Hampshire Police have confirmed that a post mortem examination was carried out on Sea Cadet Jonathan Martin (14) following his tragic accident on the charity’s training vessel TS Royalist on Sunday May 2, 2010. Jonathan, from Ashford in Kent, died as a result of severe chest injuries because of his fall from a height. His family have been notified.
The post mortem is the first step in the official process. The next step is the inquest and it is for the coroner to determine the cause of death. Until that time we are unable to comment or offer speculation on these events. We can confirm that it is standard operating procedure for all cadets to wear a harness when on deck and aloft. The charity continues to offer every assistance to the Police and Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
The protection and safeguarding of young people is of paramount importance to the charity, and we take our duty of care very seriously. TS Royalist is staffed by a highly experienced and qualified crew. This is the first fatality the ship has experienced in 39 years of service.
I think the Sea Cadets providess wonderful opportunities for young people. It helps them with educational delopment, social inclusion and citezenship. It also encourages valuable personal development in a controlled but fun environment, based on the traditions of the Royal Navy. The main principle is to build confidence and self esteem and equip young people with life skills for the future. Headed by a national headquarters, there are almost 400 Sea Cadet Units in local communities throughout the country. They are staffed by volunteers working with more than 16,000 children and young people every year.
History
In 1856, sailors returning from the Crimean War started up "Naval Boys Brigades" in port towns in England for orphaned and destitute children. The present Sea Cadet movement owes its origin to 1899 when HM Queen Victoria helped with the formation of a Unit in Windsor and presented £10 for the purchase of uniform.
In 1910, the Navy League (founded in 1895) decided to sponsor independent units and nine years later the Admiralty granted recognition and instituted annual efficiency inspections and the title Navy League Sea Cadet Corps was adopted. In 1936/37 the Sea Cadets were re-launched by the Navy League and Lord Lloyd with generous corporate gifts and private donors, headed by Lord Nuffield who gave £50,000. By 1939, there were 100 units with more than 10,000 Sea Cadets and in 1942 the Admiral Commanding Reserves took over the training role: HM King George VI became the first Admiral of the Corps, Officers were granted appointments in the RNVR; and the movement was re-named the Sea Cadet Corps. The Girls Naval Training Corps was formed in the same year.
By the end of War there were 430 Units and over 50,000 Cadets and in 1947 the Admiralty offered to take over the Sea Cadet Corps entirely (the Army and Airforce did take over their Cadet forces and continue to run and fund them to this day), but the Navy League declined the offer.
HM The Queen became Patron of the Sea Cadets on the death of the King and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh succeeded as Admiral of the Corps and in 1992 HRH The Duke of York took over this role. In 1955 a Marine Cadet Section was formed, with five detachments and in 1976 the Navy League changed its name to the Sea Cadet Association. Its function is to support the Sea Cadet Corps, which continues to improve its educational and nautical activities for young people. In 1980 the MOD (Navy) approved the admission of girls into the Sea Cadets and today girls are fully integrated into the Sea Cadets.
So three cheers for the Sea Cadets, and let us hope that this very unfortunate accident does not in any way undermine the valuable unsung contribution this wonderful organisation makes to society
I am sure I am not being presumptious by sending heart felt condolences to Jonathon’s family and friends on behalf of the Forum.
BBC Press Release
A 14-year-old sea cadet who fell from a ship's rigging into the Solent died from severe chest injuries, post-mortem tests have found.
Jonathan Martin, of Ashford, Kent, was on the training ship TS Royalist, anchored at StokesBay, Gosport.
He was climbing the rigging to bring in the sails when he fell 25ft (7.5m) into the sea on Sunday at 2030 BST. He was later pronounced dead at hospital. His family said: "He was a popular young man who will be greatly missed". A spokesman said the force was preparing a file on behalf of the coroner. The teenager was one of 19 sea cadets and 10 staff on board the brig, all from south-east England and aged between 13 and 18. They were celebrating the movement's 150th anniversary at the 2010 Sea Cadet Festival, which was held at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth over the bank holiday. Mike Cornish, chief executive of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets, had said the accident happened during a standard exercise after setting anchor for the night. A statement from his family read: "Jonathan was a wonderful son and grandson who tragically died whilst doing something that he loved. "He was a popular young man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him."
The Marine Society & Sea Cadets is the UK’s largest maritime charity offering learning and development opportunities for professional seafarers and young people. The Sea Cadets is open to young people between 10 and 18. Supporting 14,000 young people, across 400 Units, it offers a range of adventure activities with a naval theme and aims to challenge young people to help them grow in confidence.
TS Royalist is the flagship training vessel of the charity taking young people aged 13.5 years and over to sea. Since 1971, thirty thousand cadets have gone to sea with Royalist. TS Royalist is a 24mt brig with capacity to take up to 24 cadets. She has a permanent crew of six plus up to three additional staff.
Statement from: The Marine Society & Sea Cadets
Re: Accident onboard TS Royalist
Date: 02 May 2010
The charity is deeply saddened to report that a tragic and fatal accident occurred on Sea Cadet training vessel TS Royalist on Sunday May 2, 2010. Our thoughts are with the young cadet’s family at this distressing and painful time. The charity is now working with the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch to establish the full details of what happened and offering every assistance to the local authorities and Police.
The protection and safeguarding of young people is of paramount importance to the charity, and we take our duty of care very seriously. TS Royalist is staffed by experienced and qualified crew. This tragic fatality is the first the ship has experienced since she was commissioned in 1971.
Statement from: The Marine Society & Sea Cadets
Re: Accident onboard TS Royalist
Date: 04 May 2010
Hampshire Police have released the name of the cadet who was involved in a tragic accident on Sea Cadet training vessel TS Royalist on Sunday May 2, 2010. Jonathan Martin, 14, from Ashford in Kent joined the Sea Cadets in 2008. It was the second trip on Royalist for Jonathan who loved the water sport aspect of Sea Cadet activities. He was a popular and much loved cadet who worked hard and was looking forward to a great future within the Sea Cadets.
We are all shocked and saddened by this tragic accident and our thoughts are with Jonathan’s family and friends at this distressing and painful time.
The protection and safeguarding of young people is of paramount importance to the charity, and we take our duty of care very seriously. TS Royalist is staffed by experienced and qualified crew. This is the first fatality the ship has experienced since she was commissioned in 1971.
The charity is working with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch to establish the full details of what happened and is offering every assistance to the local authorities and Police.
Result of Post Mortem into the death of Sea Cadet Jonathan Martin
Hampshire Police have confirmed that a post mortem examination was carried out on Sea Cadet Jonathan Martin (14) following his tragic accident on the charity’s training vessel TS Royalist on Sunday May 2, 2010. Jonathan, from Ashford in Kent, died as a result of severe chest injuries because of his fall from a height. His family have been notified.
The post mortem is the first step in the official process. The next step is the inquest and it is for the coroner to determine the cause of death. Until that time we are unable to comment or offer speculation on these events. We can confirm that it is standard operating procedure for all cadets to wear a harness when on deck and aloft. The charity continues to offer every assistance to the Police and Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
The protection and safeguarding of young people is of paramount importance to the charity, and we take our duty of care very seriously. TS Royalist is staffed by a highly experienced and qualified crew. This is the first fatality the ship has experienced in 39 years of service.
I think the Sea Cadets providess wonderful opportunities for young people. It helps them with educational delopment, social inclusion and citezenship. It also encourages valuable personal development in a controlled but fun environment, based on the traditions of the Royal Navy. The main principle is to build confidence and self esteem and equip young people with life skills for the future. Headed by a national headquarters, there are almost 400 Sea Cadet Units in local communities throughout the country. They are staffed by volunteers working with more than 16,000 children and young people every year.
History
In 1856, sailors returning from the Crimean War started up "Naval Boys Brigades" in port towns in England for orphaned and destitute children. The present Sea Cadet movement owes its origin to 1899 when HM Queen Victoria helped with the formation of a Unit in Windsor and presented £10 for the purchase of uniform.
In 1910, the Navy League (founded in 1895) decided to sponsor independent units and nine years later the Admiralty granted recognition and instituted annual efficiency inspections and the title Navy League Sea Cadet Corps was adopted. In 1936/37 the Sea Cadets were re-launched by the Navy League and Lord Lloyd with generous corporate gifts and private donors, headed by Lord Nuffield who gave £50,000. By 1939, there were 100 units with more than 10,000 Sea Cadets and in 1942 the Admiral Commanding Reserves took over the training role: HM King George VI became the first Admiral of the Corps, Officers were granted appointments in the RNVR; and the movement was re-named the Sea Cadet Corps. The Girls Naval Training Corps was formed in the same year.
By the end of War there were 430 Units and over 50,000 Cadets and in 1947 the Admiralty offered to take over the Sea Cadet Corps entirely (the Army and Airforce did take over their Cadet forces and continue to run and fund them to this day), but the Navy League declined the offer.
HM The Queen became Patron of the Sea Cadets on the death of the King and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh succeeded as Admiral of the Corps and in 1992 HRH The Duke of York took over this role. In 1955 a Marine Cadet Section was formed, with five detachments and in 1976 the Navy League changed its name to the Sea Cadet Association. Its function is to support the Sea Cadet Corps, which continues to improve its educational and nautical activities for young people. In 1980 the MOD (Navy) approved the admission of girls into the Sea Cadets and today girls are fully integrated into the Sea Cadets.
So three cheers for the Sea Cadets, and let us hope that this very unfortunate accident does not in any way undermine the valuable unsung contribution this wonderful organisation makes to society