One of the best things about being in the Sea Cadets (apart from all of the boating activities) is the chance of a visit onboard one of the Royal Navy's vessels - occasionally we may get the chance to visit a minesweeper or a Fisheries Protection Vessel, which are pretty exciting. However, when the telephone rang in the Commanding Officers cabin this time, it was even more interesting. Nine cadets and members of staff from Rye and District Sea Cadets were given the exciting opportunity to visit the Navy's Flagship - HMS Illustrious the aircraft carrier. The ship has recently undergone a multi million pound refit in Scotland and is now in Portsmouth undergoing training.

Ordinary Cadet James Jury said: "We left the unit on Sunday morning heading to Portsmouth, where the ship is moored. It was a really impressive sight as we approached - none of us had imagined that the ship would be so huge! Understandably, the security was high and we passed several Ministry of defence armed guards. We then had to climb a long ladder to get onboard the ship." The ships liason officer Lt Jamie Fuller gave us a safety brief and some of the history of the Illustrious and we then begun our tour of the ships departments. Believe me when I say that the ship is like a small town, with a medical office, dentist, bakers and fire department.

Able cadet Amy Faulkner takes up the story: "We visited the Ops room and saw lots of very high tech equipment. Lt Fuller explained how it is used to protect the ship and destroy its enemies. This made sitting at home in front of the Playstation seem very dull indeed! We had time for a photo opportunity here, and we all did our Britney Spears impressions by wearing the communications headsets. Even Chief Petty Officer Smith had his photo taken. The funniest part of the day was when our staff member - Petty Officer Whiteman sat in the Captains chair and several bolts fell out of it! Luckily none of the officers noticed so we didn't get to see the ship's brig (prison).

After a long day, we left the illustrious feeling a little bit deflated, knowing that we were going to have to go to school the next day. However, the good news is that we may be invited back in the summer when Illustrious is back at sea!

Photos by CPO (SCC) S. Smith