CPO Maikel Overbeeke from the Netherlands Sea Cadet Corps at Harlingen visited South African Sea Cadets at TS Woltemade on Saturday, 21 February 2015.
As is customary, he and the OC TS Woltemade, Lt (SCC) Paul Jacobs, exchanged ship’s badges.
The Netherlands has 21 active Sea Cadet Units. Many are accommodated in floating Units comprising ex Naval Vessels (Ton Class minesweepers), patrol craft and inshore vessels. These ships are staffed and maintained by Sea Cadet Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Ratings. Funding is partially provided by local town councils with limited assistance from the Royal Dutch Navy.
The advantage of having a floating Unit is that the ship’s company gets practical experience and go to sea every month. During the school vacation periods the ships visit foreign ports in Europe and have an annual camp. Recently, CPO Overbeeke’s Sea Cadet Unit, a Ton Class minesweeper, visited the United Kingdom.
CPO Overbeeke started his interest in maritime events as a Sea Cadet and now serves in the Dutch Merchant Navy as a 2nd Officer onboard a cargo vessel. He volunteers his spare time in assisting the Sea Cadets at Harlingen.
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Image: SA Navy