PATROL leaders from the 5th Farnham (Bourne) Scouts recently took to the helm of the City of London’s enforcement vessel Londinium III under the careful watch of Captain Stuart Smith and his Thames watermen, Thomas Gibbons and Scott McElwaine.

Supported by leaders Mark Ousey and Dominic Getting, the Scouts were offered the chance to pilot the motor cruiser through the Pool of London, alongside HMS Belfast and under Tower Bridge as part of their late-summer leadership away day.

They even turned full circle and closed in on the London riverboat home of chief Scout, Edward ‘Bear’ Grylls to offer a ‘Scouty’ salute on the high seas.

Patrol leaders and assistant patrol leader are required to take on new challenges all the time as part of their training, but the sun came out for the youngsters for this unusual experience and they returned safely after the voyage.

The Scouts gratefully acknowledge the support of Jon Averns and the Corporation of London’s Port Health Division for their engagement and support in providing this “excellent” opportunity.