Keeping Young Sailors Safe at Chorley Sea Cadets

Chorley Sea Cadets is a volunteer-led youth organisation that inspires young people through nautical adventure and challenging activities, helping transform them into confident, resilient individuals ready for life beyond school. Known as TS Invincible, the unit recently marked a significant milestone with the opening of a new boating shed at the Anderton Centre in Rivington - the first permanent structure at their boating site in over 60 years.

Sea Cadets offer young people aged 12 to 18 the chance to work through a structured training programme, earn badges, build life skills, and take part in activities such as powerboating and kayaking.

The Challenge

Running boat activities, off-site events, and large public events with young people requires more than enthusiasm - it needs reliable communication. With cadets spread across the water and on land, volunteer staff need to stay in constant contact to ensure everyone is safe and accounted for at all times.

As a self-funded volunteer charity, Chorley Sea Cadets operate on a tight budget, balancing the cost of running a unit against the need for proper safety equipment. When two of their existing Motorola T92 H₂O radios broke beyond repair, replacing them quickly and cost-effectively was a priority.

The Solution

Chorley Sea Cadets use the Motorola T92 H₂O, which is a licence-free walkie-talkie built specifically for water-based environments. IP67 rated and fully submersible to one metre for up to 30 minutes, it's designed to handle exactly the kind of conditions a boating unit faces. With a floating feature that prevents the radio from sinking if dropped in the water, it's one of the few radios genuinely suited to maritime youth activities.

Radio Solutions supplied a six-pack of Motorola T92 H₂O radios to the unit, ensuring every volunteer on duty during boating activities now has a radio to hand.

The Result

The impact was immediate and practical. Every volunteer now carries a radio during run throughs and off-site events, giving cadets the freedom to build independence and confidence while staff maintain oversight of their safety at all times.

In the words of Joanne Swires, Chair of Chorley Sea Cadets:

"They are invaluable in helping us maintain communication and ensure cadet safety at all times. They allow cadets a level of independence to explore activities, spend time with friends, and build confidence whilst still checking in regularly with staff so that we always know they are safe and accounted for."

Supporting Youth Organisations Across the UK

Two-way radios play a vital role in keeping young people safe during outdoor and water-based activities. If your organisation runs events or activities where mobile signal is unreliable or communication is safety-critical, we'd love to help and give expert advice on the best set-up for your needs.