Cadets form Lake Mead training fleet

Dick Benoit

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003 | 9:06 a.m.

No recreational boaters were to be seen at Lake Mead's Echo Bay Marina Tuesday morning. With temperatures in the 30s and Las Vegas' first significant snowfall since 1998 dusting some of the nearby mountains, not even avid fishermen were apparent.

Four of the resort's 54-foot houseboats, however, were beehives of activity as 45 Clark High School students prepared to embark on the school's annual Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cruise.

The cadets spent most of the weekend, as well as Monday morning, at the Clark High School campus preparing for the cruise, then were bused to Echo Bay Monday afternoon to prepare for anchors aweigh Tuesday morning.

During the weekend the cadets learned about naval customs and terminology and also studied naval history. In particular, they learned about significant Navy ships in American history that would serve as namesakes of the houseboats they would commission and maneuver as the "Lake Mead Fleet" Tuesday through Friday.

Normally neglected and dull brass bells adorning each craft were polished to a bright and shiny finish by sailing time Tuesday. They were reflective of the spic and span condition of each vessel after being worked over by the industrious cadets.

According to Naval JROTC adult supervisors, the Echo Bay management looks forward all year to the special attention the youths give the houseboats over the holiday cruise.

During the cruise the cadets learn basic seamanship, including setting "special sea and anchor detail" procedures before going ashore in the evenings for a campfire and meals. Other sea skills the cadets are trained in include navigation by satellite global positioning, standing watches, man-overboard procedures, general quarters drills and preparing for both ship and personal inspections in accordance with Navy standards.

Naval JROTC is a leadership program designed to develop self-discipline, self-confidence and leadership skills to help young people successfully meet life's challenges.

Four seasoned cadets of the Clark High School program are serving as ship captains of the Lake Mead fleet. They are Cassie Dickman, Kari Shuman, Gregory LaFluer and Jonathon Lo, all Clark High seniors.

In brief