The Sea Cadets during training
The Hurricane and Signal Mountain Sea Cadet Divisions conducted their monthly drill on Saturday at Chester Frost Park.
After an award's ceremony and brief PT session, the cadets were introduced to members of the Chattanooga Police Department SWAT Team who had arrived with their 17’ and 27’ foot Zodiac boats.
Following a safety brief, the cadets were required to demonstrate competency in the water by conducting a 50 meter swim test. The test consisted of swimming to the 27’ Zodiac boat in swimmer pairs, boarding the boat and then as a team, re-entering the water. Once back in the water, they formed a swimmer circle and conducted a head count to ensure all swimmers were safe and accounted for. The cadets then swam back to shore.
Upon completion of the swim test, another safety brief was conducted by the Chattanooga SWAT officers. Following this, the cadets embarked on the two different boats and received practical instruction in beach assault via a short lecture, after which they conducted a simulated beach assault under supervision of the SWAT officers.
Then the cadets were trained in water entry from the two boats, beginning with stationary entry and ramping up to water entry from a moving craft at speeds up to 20 mph.
All cadets were required to wear personal flotations and bump helmets for safety, and were under constant close supervision from the Chattanooga SWAT officers and NSCC instructors.
The Hurricane and Signal Mountain Sea Cadets