Cadets' Daring lesson

Friday 14 June 2024

Members of Guernsey's Sea Cadets spent time with two crew members from the island's affiliated warship HMS Daring this week.

The Type 45 Destroyer is currently undergoing extensive engineering work and isn't expected to return to duty for another 18 months, but her crew are as busy as ever.

Based in Portsmouth - where Daring is having a propulsion power upgrade - Lieutenant Lewis Young and Warrant Officer David Cannon are her Deputy Marine Engineering Officer Ships and Warrant Officer Marine Engineer respectively.

Both men are in Guernsey for the local events to mark the King's Official Birthday.

That includes meeting the island's Bailiff and Lieutenant Governor and attending the official reception at Government House tomorrow morning.

They've also spent time talking to youngsters with a keen interest in maritime matters.

That is a vital part of their jobs, they said. 

Pictured (l-r): Warrant Officer Marine Engineer David Cannon and Lieutenant Lewis Young; Deputy Marine Engineering Officer Ships for HMS Daring.

"We were spending time with the Sea Cadets and the Combined Cadet Forces, which was really nice," said Warrant Officer Cannon.

"That's what we're here for," he said. "(Thursday night saw) a range from eight to 16-years-old. It was really good, they had lots of questions.

"This is my 25th year in the Navy, and Lieutenant Young is in his fifth year, so we talk about all our experience, a bit of the fun runs ashore, countries we've been to, jobs we've been to."

Warrant Officer Cannon said some of these young people might join the Navy in the future so it's important to engage with them.

"It might just give them an idea where they can start looking for their future. They might think a career in the services is for them. And if you've got Daring coming here on a regular basis to support the affiliation then hopefully we're going to inspire the younger generations to potentially be the next generation taking ships like Daring forward."

Lieutenant Lewis Young said meeting young cadets is one of the most interesting parts of their role.

"That is one of the enjoyable factors of the job," he said. "It's not a normal job, and it's not confined to just being an engineer.

"In this role yes, our day jobs are effectively project managing engineering projects but having the option to go and join the affiliates, and people that actually appreciate the fact that the ship is an affiliated unit, it's enjoyable part, and having that wide range of the job makes it more enjoyable."

Pictured: Warrant Officer Marine Engineer David Cannon and Lieutenant Lewis Young; Deputy Marine Engineering Officer Ships for HMS Daring, with Mike Spiller, HMS Daring's affiliation liaison in Guernsey.

This week's visit to Guernsey was arranged through Mike Spiller. The retired naval officer is HMS Daring's affiliation liaison in the island.

"I try and build (visits) around key events like the King's reception, which what has generated this visit, but also things like Liberation Day, and those events build the programme.

"I've been doing this affiliation role now for over eight years so there is a certain pattern to the relationship, and it's matter of just working ahead to make sure we don't miss these opportunities.

"The next key event for us will be when the crew starts manning up, when they get that Commanding Officer. We'll be keen to invite the Commanding Officer to come and visit the island. These two (Warrant Officer Marine Engineer David Cannon and Lieutenant Lewis Young) are very good because they are going to be part of the ship's company of HMS Daring in the future, so I'm actually talking to the same people and continuity is a big plus from my perspective."

Mr Spiller said when Daring next comes to Guernsey - which won't be before 2026, when she is due to return to service - it will be a very special occasion.

"I think it's good to keep the Navy profile up, with this being an island there's quite a positive maritime bias around the island, and there's always people trying to join the Navy. You can see a number of people from the island who have joined the armed forces, so it's a positive recruiting area."