All aboard as Scouts get their sea legs

The Type 82 destroyer is a veteran of the Falklands War and serves as a harbour training ship off Portsmouth.

The Felpham representatives were among more than 200 Sea Scouts from around the country.

They particularly enjoyed sailing the traditionally rigged Drascombe Luggers, which resemble the ships' boats used by Admiral Nelson in many ways.

Another highlight was a navigation exercise on the large twin screw picket boats formerly operated by Britannia Royal Naval College.

Bad weather saw the Sea Scouts tour HMS Mersey, the navy's most modern fishery protection vessel, and the frigate HMS Kent.

Another onshore day saw them following a navigation trail around the naval base and dockyard.

The final day was spent hiking on the South Downs with only a 24-hour armed forces ration pack for food.