Royal Navy Cadets Enjoy a Day Aboard HMS Trumpeter

On Wednesday 30 January ten CCF Royal Navy cadets enjoyed a great day afloat aboard HMS Trumpeter, a P2000 patrol vessel. After negotiating the ice and Ipswich traffic we were soon aboard and underway. After passing through the locks, we enjoyed an early morning passage with the winter sun beating down on the deserted River Orwell. The cadets were all enthralled by the experience of being on such a boat and hearing about naval operations that the crew had been deployed on. Once clear of the river mouth, the two Caterpillar 800hp engines were opened up, and the fuel consumption increased to 350 litres per hour as we sped across the North Sea at 20 knots. Each cadet took turns on the helm and were able to manoeuvre the boat at speed before we returned to the river and to warm up below decks. A great experience and insight into life in the Royal Navy was had by all.