Gatten & Lake Primary School get the Message about Safety at Sea

Pupils from Gatten & Lake Primary School enjoyed an enriching and memorable day at the Classic Boat Museum in Cowes in May 2025, where they took part in a specially designed Safety at Sea workshop. The session was both hands-on and thought-provoking, expertly linking maritime heritage with modern safety principles in a way that truly engaged the children.

During their visit, pupils explored the dramatic story of lifesaving at sea through key exhibits, including the imposing Fresnel lens from St Catherine’s Lighthouse, which sparked curiosity about how mariners navigate treacherous waters. They also stepped aboard the historic Jesse Lumb lifeboat, gaining insight into the bravery of RNLI crews, and examined the unique Airborne Lifeboat designed by the legendary Uffa Fox, learning how it was dropped from aircraft to rescue downed pilots during WWII.

The workshop culminated in an applied activity where pupils drew on what they had learned to investigate the sinking of the Titanic. With real artefacts and guided discussion, they analysed what went wrong, what could have been done differently, and how safety at sea has evolved since.

The visit was described as “fantastic” by the accompanying teacher, who praised the museum staff for their organisation and the quality of the learning experience. “The children absolutely loved it! It was so well organised and the activities were very engaging,” she said, adding a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in making the day so enjoyable.

The museum team were delighted to host such an enthusiastic group of young learners and look forward to welcoming more schools in the future to experience the rich maritime history of Cowes.