A tradition throughout the Sea Cadets is for each Unit to be adopted by a Ship of the Royal Navy or Royal Fleet Auxiliary with which it can exchange correspondence and visits.

TS PENN has been affiliated to several Ships in the past, namely RFA ENGADINE, RFA ARGUS and currently HMS PORTLAND.

The Unit became affiliated to RFA ARGUS in February 1989 when she took over the Air Training Role from RFA ENGADINE and although the Ship had a very busy program, two members of Staff, 4 SCC and 5 GNTC from TS PENN managed to visit ARGUS in December that year.  Several exchanges of visit later, the final visit to RFA ARGUS occurred in May 1998, when PO(SCC) George Garnett (now CPO(SCC)) took twelve Cadets to the Ship.  Five of those Cadets later went on to join the Royal Navy.

Currently, TS PENN is very proud to be affiliated to HMS PORTLAND a Type 23 Frigate.  Cadets and Staff from the Unit were very lucky to be invited to the Ship's Commissioning Ceremony held at Devonport Naval Base on Thursday 3rd May 2001.  The Ships Company, that day, also contained two ex Portland Sea Cadets on their first sea draft.  Operator Mechanic Stephen Quine (he's the one on the right) was given the honour of cutting the celebration cake, as he was the youngest member of the Ship's Company at that time.

Liaison between the Unit and  HMS PORTLAND continues, with Cadets and Staff visiting the Ship whenever the Ships programme allows.