Langley School Combined Cadet Force Langley School Langley Park Norwich NR14 6BJ (01508) 520210 E-mail: ccf@langleyschool.co.uk Thursday, 13 June 2013 References: HMS Excellent Dear Parent and Cadet Following a successful bid for use of RN Fleet facilities, the opportunity has arisen for Langley School CCF Royal Navy Section to attend a day of training at HMS Excellent, taking part in activities such as the Damage Repair Unit, Fire Fighting and Sea Survival. All Royal Navy personnel undertake this training prior to going to sea. The cadets will be given the chance to see the multi million pound piece of equipment first hand and then to take part in a Damage Repair activity (there are clips of this on YouTube). Further details can be found at Annex A. AIM & OBJECTIVES 1. The aim of the trip is to give the cadets an experience of a Naval expectations and training in the DRIU simulator and Fire and Sea Survival School. 2. a. All cadets attending will live on-board the RN Cadet accommodation HMS Bristol. b. All cadets to attend and eat in the mess at HMS Excellent Date & Timings 3. The visit will take place on Wednesday 19 th June with activities taking place on 20 th June prior to return on Thursday evening. 4. Those members of the Royal Navy Section attending will depart from school on Wednesday 19 th June at 1500hrs with the aim of arriving in Portsmouth by 2300hrs. (This is subject to change). 5. Activities will take place on Thursday 20 th June 6. The group will return to school on Thursday 20 th June, late evening. Constraints 7. The following constraints are the MoD (RN) criteria that must be met by the cadet using the training facilities at HMS Excellent. Unfortunately this may exclude some cadet from being able to attend. minimum age is 14 minimum height is 5ft 2 inches have no physical disability 2
Equipment 8. There are only 24 cadet places available, and will be on a first come first served basis 9. Cadets and staff will travel to and from HMS Excellent in smart civilian clothing. 10. The Dress for all personnel during the visit will be No.4s (Blues working rig). The packing list for the trip will be sent out by Friday 14 th June. COMMAND & SIGNALS 11. The phone number for all matters arising over/during the visit is 07810 650574. COSTINGS & CONSENT FORM 12. There is a charge of 15.50 for the visit to cover the cost of transport, food. Please make cheques payable to CCF no1 account. Parents/Guardians are requested to complete the form at Annexes A & B to this instruction and return it to the Lt Cdr M Holmes before Friday 14 th June 2013. CONCLUSION This is the first time for a number of years that Langley School CCF has had the opportunity to deploy to Portsmouth to use some of the Fleet facilities which are very rarely available. It is therefore essential that all cadets and staff act and conduct themselves in a professional manner in order to ensure that everyone extracts the maximum enjoyment and benefit from this opportunity. Kind regards Matthew Holmes Langley School CCF Royal Navy Section 3
Annex A to Further information; DRIU The Phoenix Damage Repair and Instructional Unit known throughout the Navy as DRIU, pronounced drew is a mock-up of a flooding ship which rocks and rolls as sailors try to plug gaps in the hull using wood. Vital to teaching sailors the art of damage control, the Phoenix Damage Repair and Instructional Unit is responsible for saving at least two flooded ships in recent years. The DRIU is sited at the Phoenix NBCD School HMS EXCELLENT and was built in 1993. The new unit simulates flooding damage to a ship and provides essential Damage Control training for new entry recruits right through to advanced courses. Split over three decks, the unit simulates compartments of a ship with water rushing in through various holes. Sailors are expected to stop the inrush of water using blocks of wood and hammers. Key to the success of the DRIU is its realism thanks to hydraulics it rocks and rolls up to 15 degrees to port and starboard, simulating the motion of a ship. Trainees are expected to perform under stressful, demanding conditions but safely complete the training with confidence in the equipment, organisation and procedures. Students also realise just how difficult it is to undertake tasks in cold water or when the 'ship' is rocking around. Each exercise consists of a student safety briefing, instruction and tour of the unit followed by the practical training run with the actual exercise in the water lasting approximately 45 minutes. Two groups are trained daily with up to 24 personnel on each run- over 9000 students per year! The techniques taught in the simulator meant that sailors were able to save both HMS Endurance and HMS Nottingham when both were close to sinking due to severe flooding. Every sailor must complete fire-fighting training at one of the Navy s specialist fire schools. Fire Fighting Nothing is more dangerous on board a ship or submarine than fire confined spaces, toxic substances, intense heat, claustrophobia, and ammunition cooking off. Every sailor receives fire-fighting training at a state-of-the-art purpose-built fire school on Whale Island. It replicates compartments on board a warship such as engine rooms, machinery control rooms, mess decks, galleys and passageways. The fires inside are gas-powered making them environmentally-friendly and supported by smoke generators, can be controlled by tutors. Courses offered to sailors range from two days to a week for more experienced firefighting team leaders. 4
HMS Excellent Visit LANGELY SCHOOL C.C.F PARENTAL CONSENT FORM Annex B to NAME OF CADET: Date of Birth.. I agree to my son / daughter / ward taking part in all cadet activities including flying, gliding, shooting, abseiling, climbing, canoeing etc. Please note below any conditions (such as allergies, asthma) your child may suffer from which may affect your child s participation in CCF activities. Special dietary requirements; (eg vegetarian etc.) Please complete the details below of next of kin: Name:.. Relationship to Cadet:. Address:... Telephone Number (Day):. Telephone Number (Evening):. Name of GP (needed in case of. Admission to hospital where this is required) Signed.Parent/Guardian.Date Please complete with a cheque for 15 made payable to Langley School CCF No.1 Acc and return to Lt. Cdr Holmes by Friday 14 th June 2013. 5
Annex C to LANGELY SCHOOL C.C.F HMS Excellent Compliance Form. I (parent s name) (Cadets name) can confirm that my son / daughter fulfils all the criteria laid down by the MoD for my son/ daughter to take part in DRIU / Fire Fighting and Life Saving activities. My son / daughter please Tick Is 14 years old or over Is minimum height is 5ft 2 inches has no physical disability Signature of Parent: Date: 6