Although Bermuda is no longer a seafaring nation, changing circumstances at the Island's bases may force the Island to take greater responsibility for its surroundings. And, according to the Commander of the Bermuda Sea Cadets, the sea is just as important as Bermuda's land environment.

"I think we are going to have to play a far greater role in looking after our coastal environment, so there may be an opportunity for nautical-minded individuals to find employment in future,'' says Lt. Cmdr. Anthoni Lightbourne.

Areas which he feels may need additional personnel in years to come include boat design and building, communications, ferry and tour boat operations, the fishing industry and fisheries protection. Additionally, as the US prepares to pull out of Bermuda, sea-rescue is likely to become Bermuda's sole responsibility. The Sea Cadets, he feels, provides a good basic grounding in preparing people for such employment.

Since 1969, when he joined the newly-formed Bermuda branch of the world-wide body, Lt. Lightbourne has been one of the few people who has worked actively to keep the spark of Bermuda's nautical heritage alive. Some 27 years later, there are three units (Central, East and West) and around 120 male and female cadets. Bermuda is now also part of the International Sea Cadets Association and a regular participant in overseas conferences and training programmes.

Lt. Lightbourne strongly believes that the Sea Cadets' spirit of naval tradition and discipline, with its accompanying encouragement of a sense of adventure, is one of the most effective ways of producing good citizens.

For this reason, the first Bermudian to receive the Cadet Forces Medal is impatient with those who advocate a National Youth Corps: "I feel personally that these people should be taking a closer look at what we have already. The best thing they could do would be to give additional support to the organisations that are experienced in training young people to become responsible adults.

"There is plenty of diversification in what the various uniformed organisations are already offering. The last thing we need is more duplication! All the groups could do more and reach more young people if we received more help -- especially financial assistance.'' Lt. Lightbourne says that the Bermuda Sea Cadets are fairly well supported through a small Government grant, as well as private and corporate donations, but suggests that other, smaller organisations are "struggling'' to attract new members because of lack of funds.

The Sea Cadets, on the other hand, could certainly use more assistance in the way of administrative help. He points out, "If more adults could help out in this way, it would enable us to spend more time in the practical side of training our cadets.'' Boys and girls from the age of nine and a half to 18 meet on Friday evenings and weekends, using Admiralty-type dinghies which convert to sailboats, and kayaks. The Sea Cadets sponsor two people per unit to attend the local Outward Bound courses run by the Bermuda Police on Paget Island.

An important part of a Cadets' training is spent in learning regimental drill.

Last weekend they held their Annual Drill Competition at their Admiralty House headquarters.

"This showcases naval discipline as it pertains to drill. We teach them to drill with rifles and the adjudicator is Lt. Chris Wheddon, of the Bermuda Regiment, who is himself an ex-Sea Cadet from T.S. Venture in Somerset.'' In Lt. Lightbourne's opinion, training as a cadet can give people in the Bermuda Regiment "a head-start''. The results of that training may be seen when the Cadets participate in ceremonial parades, such as the Queen's Birthday Parade and Remembrance Day ceremonies.

"Another extremely important aspect of the Sea Cadets' mission is to make sure that our Cadets get the chance to go overseas, to see for themselves what life is like in other parts of the world. People say there is nothing for our young people to do here, but I would go on record to say that Bermuda has more programmes for youth than any other country in the world. Our cadets go away -- and when they get back, they realise what a good life they have in Bermuda.'' Just this year, 17 cadets went to NAS Lakehurst in Philadelphia for a one-week training course. This, he says, orientates them as to what naval life is all about: "They make their own beds, sweep the deck, get up at 5 a.m. and then stand in line for breakfast -- all of this is quite a shock to most Bermudians!'' Bermudians are trained to become Sea Cadet officers through special arrangements with the UK corps. While there, they are able to undergo practical naval training. Sail and advancement training are also offered on TS Royalist , a square-rigged vessel in England. They also attend international summer camps in Portsmouth where they reside aboard HMS Kent .

The Navy League of Canada permits Bermuda Sea Cadets to visit Canadian naval training camps. Each year, three senior cadets join Junior Leadership courses at HMCS Acadia .

Last year, representatives from Bermuda attended the International Sea Cadets conference in Ottawa and this year, in Washington, DC.

For a number of years now, the Bermuda branch has been involved in overseas exchange visits.

"This works out very well,'' says Lt. Lightbourne, "We can't offer a great deal in way of physical training here, but we host cultural exchanges and they are very important. We get tremendous co-operation from the US, Canadian and UK authorities here in converting our headquarters into living quarters for our visitors.

"We are very fortunate to have Commander Bawtree of HMS Malabar , who's playing a major role in developing the Sea Cadets. He's assigned some of his own staff to the units. This is a great gesture as our cadets are getting better quality training from professionals. I would also like to thank Lieutenant Commander Nigel Davis, the Executive Officer at Malabar, who works very hard to support us.'' As Bermuda becomes more involved in the international side of the Sea Cadet movement, Lt. Lightbourne looks forward to broadening the aims and horizons of the local branch: "We're already planning to have a special exchange programme with Japan. They were here in October, having a look round Bermuda and our facilities. They are impressed with our cultural exchange scheme and seemed to be amazed that a country so small could live in such relative harmony.'' During the Washington conference, Lt. Lightbourne also explored the idea of establishing an exchange programme with South Africa which has a strong Sea Cadet organisation.

"Their captain made a very impassioned speech. I met him afterwards and he gave me a thumbnail sketch of the problems of running a corps there. Oddly enough, it's not a racial issue. Most people don't realise this, but the Sea Cadets there have always been totally integrated. The problem is that the 30 or so different ethnic groups in the black population are always in conflict with each other, so recruiting has to be delicately balanced. But he's very keen on the idea of an exchange.'' Bermuda Sea Cadets have also been working with a youth group in North Carolina with a view to taking a teen from the inner city and giving him a chance to go on a Sea Cadet tall ship training voyage from the UK.

"This is the sort of thing we do within our extended community programme,'' explains Lt. Lightbourne, "We don't give financial assistance, but our knowledge, background and networking abilities are invaluable in working with other organisations. The common goal in all of this is turning out better citizens.'' TRAINING TIME -- Junior Bermuda Sea Cadets pictured at the NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey training camp. Training officer is Petty Officer Stefan Telford.

OCEAN-BOUND -- Members of the Bermuda Sea Cadets assemble at the airport before this year's visit to NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey. In charge of the cadets is Sub. Lt. Tom Panchaud, right.