UNIVERSITY ROYAL NAVAL UNITS
Crew learn the ropes for regatta Behind the scenes with F1’s Red Bull OXFORD URNU took part in the Dartmouth Regatta – their first time competing in this sort of race. The crew, led by skipper Midshipman Miranda Bell-Davies, were accompanied by sailing instructor Chris Singer, who trains officer cadets at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) to sail yachts and dingies. The crew was able to get out onto the water on their yacht, a Contessa 32-class named Seahorse, to practise and hone their skills ready for the following day’s racing. Officer Cadet Hattie Sexton proved to be an invaluable asset to the team. She used her experience from previous years of yacht racing to help coach and guide other members of the team. For four of the crew, it was their first time
on board a yacht and ‘learning the ropes’ had to be done quickly. Setting off from Sandquay in BRNC, the fleet of four yachts from the college moved down the River Dart and out into the sea, along with many other teams competing in the regatta. Officer Cadet Amy O’Regan said: “Seeing so many yachts in such a small space of water was terrifyingly exciting. It is a taste of what the rest of the regatta will be like.” Midshipman John Hawke used his skills as look out, relaying information of oncoming yachts back to the skipper – a job necessary for a precautious time of the race. The first day provided sufficient wind for three races to take place but the last was called off due to an increase in wind speed.
The crew of eight had a baptism of fire and worked well as a team. The following days’ races gave them the time to practise what they had learnt on the first two days. All their hard work paid off when taking part in the Bay Race. Coming in to the last stretch of the race, Seahorse and her crew passed along the outside of both BRNC yachts and finished before them. This unconventional tactic would prove worthy as it was later announced Seahorse came third in the race in their class. This was a huge achievement for the novice sailing team. But their biggest achievement was coming second by half a point out of all the Contessaclass BRNC yachts. Report by: Officer Cadet Ollie Tobin
Air ambulance tour is success
STUDENTS were given the chance to look around an air ambulance base and learn about the different services they offer. Wales URNU visited the Children’s Wales Air Ambulance, Helimed 67, at Cardiff Heliport just a short distance from Cardiff Bay. Naval aviator Lt Cdr Eifion Parry, commander of the unit, got in touch with the base’s pilot Lt Cdr Alan Petch to organise the visit for some of his undergraduates. The 28 students were allowed to tour the site, operated as a commercial enterprise by the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, which is 40ft above sea level and commands impressive views across the channel to the North Somerset coast. URNUs provide undergraduates an experience of life in the naval service. In addition to spending weekends and vacation periods at sea in dedicated P2000 inshore training vessels, the students learn about the five fighting arms of the Royal Navy. The visit to the Cardiff Heliport and Helimed 67 gave them a small insight into the Fleet Air Arm and they were able to compare the intricacies of Royal Navy aviation operations with civilian air ambulance services. The visit began with an overview of the work of the four aircraft operated by Wales Air Ambulance from bases in Cardiff, Dafen, Welshpool and Caernarfon. This was followed by a guided tour of the Cardiff base and an opportunity to look around the resident EC135 helicopter. The students then had an opportunity to take to the skies, with a familiarisation flight in a visiting Merlin HC3 aircraft operated by 846 Naval Air Squadron (NAS). The squadron is formally affiliated with Wales URNU. After finishing their airborne tour of Cardiff and the Severn Bridges, the Merlin shut down at the heliport so the cadets could meet the crew - Lt Cdr Andy White, Lt Phil royalnavy.mod.uk/navynews
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MEMBERS of the Oxford University Royal Naval Unit had the opportunity to visit the Red Bull Team Formula 1 Factory in Milton Keynes, followed by an impromptu visit to Bletchley Park – the home of the UK’s wartime code breakers. The visit began with a welcome from the tour organiser, who then took the group to the car factory. The tour covered a huge amount of detail for how components for the cars are developed, constructed, tested, monitored, repaired and enhanced. The students were shown the modelling shop, where staff research and develop new car components including the use
of the team’s wind tunnel, the machine shop, the electronics workshop, the paint shop, the operations room, the race bays, including a pit practice in progress, and the impressive Red Bull Hall of Fame. Upon completion of the tour and during the transit back to the unit the coxswain, CPO Gary Maskell, noted that Bletchley Park, the home of the wartime code breakers, was nearby. He then proceeded to arrange an impromptu and fascinating visit to the famous facility. The Oxford URNU members that took part were: Lt Will Jones, CPO Gary Maskell, OCdt Hattie Sexton and OCdt Jackson Cooper-Driver.
Guy Hudson remembered at annual dinner by Oxford unit
Wray, PACMN James Macmillan and Sgt Joe Sladden. The URNU personnel went on to receive a medical briefing from critical care practitioner and EMRTS Wales clinical team leader, Jason Hughes. Jason explained the cutting-edge work done by the critical care practitioners, helicopter transfer practitioners and doctors who deliver medical care via the air ambulances; bringing events at the heliport to a poignant conclusion. A busy day complete, Wales URNU left the heliport for their weekly drill night at nearby RNR base HMS Cambria. This was then followed by a talk from Wales Air Ambulance’s Catrin Hall, community coordinator in the fundraising department. Catrin took the opportunity to present to the whole unit, including those unable to attend the heliport activities, all aspects of the charity’s work. The presentation was incredibly well received and a number of individuals
approached her afterwards to volunteer time to assist the charity. Due to operational commitments, 846 NAS was unable to provide personnel to attend the drill night. But in the best traditions of the RNR Air Branch, Lt Cdr Petch stepped up to deliver an overview of the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF). Following the successful visit with Wales URNU, the crew of Helimed 67 look forward to further liaison with members of the naval service and opportunities to assist in raising the profile of the Wales Air Ambulance Charity. Visiting Fleet Air Arm and other service and civilian aircraft are always very welcome at Cardiff Heliport. Full details of the service available are detailed in the RAF HLS Directory and/or Pooleys. The Heliport offers BRd 767 and JHC FOB compliant secure parking and is just a short taxi ride from the bright lights of the Welsh capital.
ENGINEERING was the theme of the annual Guy Hudson Dinner hosted by the Oxford URNU. The unit’s midshipmen and officer cadets invited senior Royal Navy officers and academic guests to the event in Exeter College, at Oxford University. The theme for this year’s dinner coincided with the Royal Navy’s Year of Engineering and started with the Hudson Lecture, given by Commodore Jim Higham, Commander of Portsmouth Naval Base. He spoke about engineering in the Royal Navy and emphasised the huge variety of roles available to engineering officers. The lecture was well-received, drawing several engaging questions from the audience. After a short reception in the Exeter College Chapel, the URNU members and guests had dinner in the main hall. The dinner itself is co-hosted by the Oxford URNU and the Guy Hudson Memorial Trust. It follows the conventions and traditions of a Royal Navy mess dinner. After the meal Cdre Higham, as the guest of honour, presented
the annual unit awards. Midshipman Tom Murphy received the Coxswain’s Prize while Officer Cadet Hattie Sexton got the Green Trophy. Midshipman John Hawke received the Hudson Trophy. Jeremy Lee, a close friend of the late Guy Hudson, then gave a speech on the man himself and his legacy before guests retired to the wardroom at Falklands House. The event is funded by the Guy Hudson Memorial Trust, with the Oxford URNU Commanding Officer’s post serving as secretary and treasurer of trust’s management board. The trust was founded in 1997 and exists to “support the education, directly and indirectly, of Royal Navy and Royal Marines Officers at Oxford”, through the use of a generous bequest from the late Lieutenant Guy Hudson. In addition to supporting the unit, the trust provides funding for the Hudson Fellow, an annual appointment of a senior officer who spends a year in Oxford on an extended research project. This year’s Hudson Fellow is Commander Damian Exworthy. JANUARY 2019 : 35
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