Captain Petersen was for a time the commanding officer for the Maritime Reaction Squadron, what the South African Navy refers to as the Marines. Many of the former Cadets of Training Ship Knysna serve in that squadron.
After a gloomy grey morning, the day brightened up and the parade, under parade commander Cadet Midshipman Ferges Petersen, went very well. The executive mayor of Knysna, Georlene Wolmarans, attended and said she was very impressed with the discipline and bearing of the Cadets on parade.
After all the normal prizes were distributed by Captain Petersen, a new floating trophy consisting of a German made Fischer Barometer and Brass Ships Bell, mounted together, was donated by Geo Parkes and Sons to mark 120 years of a family owned and managed business in Knysna. It is to be awarded to the female cadet demonstrating the best leadership qualities and enthusiasm for the Sea Cadet Corps. A wrist watch, which the recipient will keep, accompanies the award. This year it was awarded to Cadet Petty Officer Zané Pedro. The task of selection was undertaken by Margaret Parkes and Lynn Flint.
Rear Admiral Theo Honiball then presented Carol Diana Eriksen, widow of Commander Ronnie Eriksen, with the Chairman of the Board of the Sea Cadets Diamond Award for meritorious service and support of the Sea Cadet Unit, Training Ship Knysna. This was to recognise her generosity in maintaining the Combi donated by Commander Eriksen for the transport of the Sea Cadets to and from training activities, and her ongoing support of the unit.
After the prizes were distributed and awards made, invited guests from the Parkes and Flint families, Col and Mrs Jan Breytenbach, Rotary, St Georges Church and parents of Cadets were invited to partake of a scrumptious spread of tea, coffee and cake organised by the administrative officer and two parents, assisted by the Parkes family. The Cadets, entertaining the guests with a drill display 'last man standing', enjoyed a super selection of food donated by East End Quick Spar, SuperSpar and Checkers.
Carol Eriksen with the Diamond Award she received, together with (from left) Rear Admiral Theo Honiball, Lieutenant Commander Steven Eriksen and Captain Solly Petersen.
Gathered after the parade with the captain were (front from left): Petty Officer E Malgraff (Drill and Piping), Petty Officer Shane McKock (Cadet of the Year), Petty Officer Sean McKock (Coxswain of the year), Petty Officer S Gelant (Division of the Year) and Seaman Serelia Bowers (Seaman of the year). Back row: Able Seaman Macneilen Hutton (AB of the Year), Petty Officer Brendon Kiwido and Petty Officer Hezron Lewis (most useful cadets), Master at Arms Zané Pedro, Captain Solly Petersen, Lieute
