THE 1st Watchet Sea Scout Group has retained its status as a Royal Navy Recognised group following the bi-annual inspection.

And the group also sailed through an inspection by a Royal Yachting Association assessor to keep its RYA training centre status.

This meant checking that the sea scouts’ boats, equipment – and instructors – were good enough for 1st Watchet to run courses in dinghy sailing, power boating, First Aid and VHF radio.

The RYA assessor visited on bank holiday Monday and the bi-annual Admiralty Inspection for Royal Navy recognition – an honour held by 1st Watchet since 1993 – was held on Friday, May 3.

It was conducted by Lieutenant Viv Joynes, from HMS Flying Fox, the shore establishment in Bristol. He was given a tour taking in the harbour area, the sea scouts HQ, and RYA boating centre before meeting leaders and scouting officials, including the county scout commissioner Liz Henderson.

More pictures and the full report in tomorrow’s Free Press.