On Tuesday 31st July Cadets from The Wick Unit boarded the RFA Mounts Bay in Wick bay for a passage to Leith, Edinburgh. 8 cadets and 3 instructors boarded the ship and sailed south at 15:00 Hrs. ETA Leith Wednesday 17:00 Hrs
Once onboard we were given a safety brief by the ships Navigational officer, LT Sigley. We then were invited to the bridge to watch the ship depart Wick bay. We headed south along the caithness coast at 10 knots.
The ships route was south to Dunrobin (Golspie) then east round Rattery Head and South past Aberdeen - Dundee to Leith.
The cadets were given the chance to take watch on the birdge with Lt Sigley who also instructed the cadets in basic Navigation.
On Wednesday morning we were given a tour of the ships two engine rooms. Cadet Tait, who is planning a career in engineering spent the day with the engineers learning all the different aspects of Diesel- Electric propulsion.
After stand easy we were given a tour of the ships hospital and instucted in basic life support by the medical technician.
After lunch it was the cadets turn for bridge watch again. During this watch Captain Taylor was to be briefed on the ships approach to Leith, Cadet Sutherland's duty was to give the meterology report during the Captains brief.
The cadets then took part in a simulated rescue of Cadet Gibson, They used a neil robertson stretcher and had to demonstrate how to secure the causalty and safely carry him about the ship.
We then went up to upper decks to watch the ship arrive in Leith.
After dinner we were granted shore leave.
On Thursday 2nd we arrived home
Many thanks to Captain Taylor and his crew.
Below are some pictures of our trip aboard RFA Mounts Bay
