7 SCOTS Diving Expedition Wins Prince of Wales Award
The Prince of Wales’s Expeditionary Award for 2019's outstanding Reservist Expedition was presented by Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, Mr Stephen Leckie on Monday.
The Prince of Wales’s Expeditionary Awards highlight the very best in leadership, challenge, courage and planning. The annual awards are selected from over one hundred Cadet and Reservist expeditions supported by The Ulysses Trust, whose patron is HRH the Prince of Wales. Each recipient receives a certificate which is signed by HRH The Prince of Wales.
The winner of the Volunteer Reserve Category is Exercise Northern SCAPA TARTAN. This expedition was undertaken by Reservists from 7 SCOTS who deployed to Scapa Flow, off the coast of the Orkney Islands, in October 2019.
The award was received by Captain Ken Scott on behalf of the unit. Captain Scott was the expedition leader and is also a sub aqua diving supervisor.
EXERCISE: NORTHERN SCAPA TARTAN
2019 marked the centenary of the scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet in Scapa Flow after the end of the First World War and the SCAPA 100 project encouraged divers to dive the multitude of wrecks and salvage sites to commemorate this centenary. On 12th October 5 members of 7 SCOTS deployed to Scapa Flow to develop their diving skills and improve some of the more technical aspects of deeper and longer diving such as decompression procedures. Diving in a dry suit in the cold UK waters was a skill in itself. The reservists had to cope with the dark waters of the Scapa Flow and, pushing themselves well beyond their comfort zones, they dived down to inspect the impressive wreck of SMS Konig, one of three battleships, lying in 38 metres of water, as well as many other sites. This was an excellent example of a great expedition that was undertaken close at home, thus minimising transport costs and environmental impact but at the same time meeting all The Ulysses Trust criteria. The Trust granted £1,500.00 to the expedition.
The presentation took place on Monday 2nd November 2020 at the Officers’ Mess, Queen’s Barracks, Perth. The event was organised by the Highland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association.
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