Budding seafarers are being encouraged to sign up to the sea cadets, with instructor numbers at some north and north-east units at crisis point.
Bosses say several groups in the region are in urgent need of cadets, while others require more adult volunteers to take the helm.
Without them, it may become too difficult for some units to meet regularly – if at all – prompting leaders to show just how rewarding and varied volunteer work with their organisation can be.
While many think of the sea cadets as a purely offshore venture, half of each cadet’s year is spent on dry land.
During the winter months they are taught skills including leadership, engineering and catering, and take part in outdoor pursuits such as hill-walking or mountain biking.
Then as it gets warmer, the activities get wetter as they get to grips with sports including kayaking, sailing and windsurfing.
District officer for the Grampian District Sea Cadets, Lieutenant Commander Malcolm Garrington, is also the commanding officer for the Bridge of Don unit.
He said: “I think it’s about getting people to understand what we do with the sea cadets – what the benefit to society is.
“We’re developing the youth of tomorrow and at the same time it’s giving instructors an opportunity to give back to their community while enhancing their own skill sets.”
As well as more conventional activities, cadets also have the chance to take residential trips at sea.
Members are often given the opportunity to sail on some of the organisation’s fleet of vessels, including its 100ft flagship tall ship Royalist.
Lt Cdr Garrington added: “There’s a wide range on offer and basically we’re making our cadets into more involved members of society.
“We want to instill a sense of personal courage in them to take on life’s challenges.
Sea Cadets development worker Kelly Giblin said: “When you’re an instructor you’ll be helping to take the cadets through their courses.
“If someone has a specialist subject like navigation or meteorology then they can help there, and we can provide additional training, but we can find a role for everyone.
“We’re always happy just to have people who are interested and keen to work with the young people.”
Anyone interested in finding out more should visit ms-sc.org
