RIPA ISLAND CAMP

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30953, 8 January 1966, Page 14

RIPA ISLAND CAMP

Navy League Sea Cadets Ten officers, three chief petty officers, one cadet instructor, and 82 Navy League Sea Cadets are at present attending the ninth annual Navy League training camp on Ripa Island. Lieutenant-Commander M. W. Murnane, the commanding officer of T.S. Cornwell and T.S. Fort Jervois, is in charge. T.S. Fort Jervois, on Ripa Island, is maintained by the Sumner-Redcliffs sub-branch of the Navy League as a permanent Sea Cadet training camp. The New Zealand Naval Board is assisting, and two cooks, a sick berth attendant, catering and transport are being provided by the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Officers and cadets from all training ships from Auckland to Dunedin are at the camp. This year’s camp consists of training for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, including expeditions around Banks Peninsula by land and sea, sailing, rowing, rigging, a survival course, an assault course, first aid. and shooting.

Two 27ft whalers are being used by the cadets as well as two 16ft sailing skiffs and several small dinghies. Constant radio contact is being maintained through the Lyttelton Harbour Board’s signal tower.

Today the camp is to be visited by 18 sea cadet officers from all over New Zealand, who are at present under training at H.M.N.Z.S. Pegasus, and who will be sailing on the harbour for the day. Tomorrow Brigadier T. C. Campbell, the commander of the Southern Military District, will visit the camp with Lieutenant-Commander C. J, Carl, the resident naval officer, and the Rev. Captain L. F. Allison, honorary padre to T.S. Fort Jervois, who will officiate at Divisions. Also on Sunday there will be an opportunity for parents and friends to visit the island by visitors’ boat. The Army is providing a truck for transport, and the Air Force has also helped by providing compasses for expedition training.