Sea cadet commander bids farewell

Lt Rowe took on his latest position to stop the sea cadet unit, officially known as the Training Ship Sir Alec Rose, from closing.

Its committee structure fell foul of changes in charity law regarding trustees. 'The unit was within inches of being closed and I was asked by the area office in Portsmouth to take on the role of chairman immediately,' he said.

The chairman of the unit's committee is concerned with looking after its building, sited in Longbrook in Felpham, as well as fundraising.

His first priority is to consider getting money for long-awaited improvements to the unit's building as well as making its work more well known.

As commanding officer, he was responsible for the training of the staff and seeing that the aims of the sea cadets were followed among all the issues which related to the uniformed side of the unit's work.

He was carried off the base in a chair on his final day in command in keeping with the farewells given to commanders when they leave their ships.

He has two more goodbyes planned. One is an informal session at Bognor Regis Yacht Club and the other is a dinner with sea cadets officers in August.

Lt Rowe's latest position with the sea cadets continues a proud tradition of involvement since 1979. He became involved through his work as treasurer with the Aldwick sea scouts.

His oldest son was a sea cadet and reported the unit lacked a treasurer. Pagham resident Lt Rowe volunteered to fill the vacancy. He joined the committee and was soon in a uniformed position.

He stayed until 1990 when he moved to Portsmouth sea cadets.

Five years later, and he returned to Bognor as the commanding officer again to revive its fortunes.

The unit has plenty of enthusiasm to make up for its relatively small size of 18 cadets aged 10-18 years. It has won pennants for its successes and overall performance every year since 1996.

Lt Rowe decided to stay on as commanding officer two years ago, when he should have stepped down, to ensure everything was shipshape for his successor, First Lieutenant Tim Collins.

The pair have worked in tandem for more than 20 years.

Lt Rowe said he was as convinced as ever about the benefits of the sea cadets.

'I believe we can take the majority of youngsters through discipline and sport and sailing and make them into better adults through the traditions of the navy. If it's organised, discipline and fair they will see the benefits.'

But he stressed the sea cadets was not a recruiting organisation for the armed forces.