News round-up: Summer 2026
A collection of news stories from around the Corps, from Royal navy photo competition winners to the MSSC's Impact Survey results
Royalist hosts a special visitor
BZ to the cadets who welcomed the Second Sea Lord aboard TS Royalist for a demonstration of nautical skills on 30 April. Thanks to them, and our amazing Offshore Team, Vice Admiral Paul Beattie CBE heard first-hand stories about the incredible impact that our fleet delivers.
The event was also a chance to celebrate Royalist’s successful refit and show off the new sails and generators made possible by our generous donors. But the highlight of the evening saw cadets enlist the Second Sea Lord’s help in raising the t’gallant yard, before conducting ceremonial Evening Colours – all showcasing the immense value of the teamwork and confidence developed on every offshore voyage.
National recognition for units
Congratulations to all the deserving units, volunteers and cadets announced as winners of our National Awards in May. The Canada Trophy winner – for the best Sea Cadets unit in the UK – is Greenwich, Deptford & Rotherhithe Unit, who also received the McBeath Trophy as the unit most worthy of recognition. The unique double marked an incredible spring for TS Dreadnought, whose volunteers received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service at the Tower of London in April.
West Ham Unit was thrilled to receive its own special double – as winners of the Cleverly Award for best junior section and one of only six London Area units to receive a prestigious Captain’s Commendation. We also salute the outstanding efforts of S/Lt (SCC) Lisa Wood RNR at Redditch & Bromsgrove Unit, which have earned her the famous Roddie Casement Sword as Sea Cadets’ best unit CO. View the list and read about some of Northern Area’s national winners in Area News.
Positive impact on wellbeing
With the government’s ‘State of the Nation’ survey (published in December) finding that young people want better mental health and wellbeing support, MSSC’s own 2025/26 Impact Survey has shown that Sea Cadets can be a valuable part of the solution.
Of the 1,239 cadets who responded, 76% told us that Sea Cadets had a positive impact on their wellbeing, with 61% of parents and carers saying it had “greatly improved” their young person’s day-to-day happiness. And with a third of the UK’s young people saying that finding secure employment was a priority, it was also pleasing to note that 89% of cadets felt we provide them with skills for later life, while 60% said we’d helped them decide what sort of job they want to do.
Our survey also revealed the wellbeing benefits for our adult volunteers, with 79% of 1,905 respondents saying that volunteering has helped them make friends and feel less isolated; 65% of volunteers felt Sea Cadets improved their mental health, with 55% reporting better physical health as a result of their involvement.
Offshore season inspires new sailors
With the Sea Cadets flagship TS Royalist making a late start due to phase two of its 10-year refit, the yachts – TS Sir Stelios and TS City of London – stole the show at the start of offshore season!
Cadets enjoyed some breezy weather during week three, meaning perfect conditions for some speedy days sailing down the Western Solent and navigating across Christchurch and Poole Bays. The following week’s crews had an equally epic time – once Storm Dave had passed through! They made the most of the beautiful weather that followed to explore the Jurassic Coast and enjoy a ‘hands to bathe’ in Lulworth Cove.
Other highlights included exciting night navigation exercises and opportunities to learn how to lay anchor. Meanwhile, every cadet had a chance to take the helm and help manage the sails – all while learning to cook, clean and communicate in a confined space.
“Having never been on a yacht before, I learnt to sail, completed my Offshore Hand 1 qualification and bonded with cadets from across the UK,” said Able Cadet James of Warsash Unit. “I’ve also grown as a person and feel more positive about taking on new challenges.”
“This unique experience has been truly life-changing for me,” added Cadet First Class Carrie of Weymouth Unit. “I arrived with no prior knowledge of yachting but in six days I gained qualifications, made new friends, and improved my teamwork and leadership skills.”
A musical weekend at the Royal Albert Hall
Our First Sea Lord’s Cadets’ first duties saw them attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music in March. The event is one of the highlights of the Royal Navy calendar, when the Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines showcase their skills at the Royal Albert Hall. Among the former sea cadets performing on the famous stage were two graduates of Torpoint Unit’s band – who were delighted to be cheered on by a large contingent from TS Ramehead.
As well as supporting the event’s organisers and assisting VIPs, the 1SLC team took over Sea Cadets’ social media for the evening – sharing brilliant photos and interviews with musicians and special guests. But their most memorable moment had to be the unique experience of being in a selfie taken by the First Sea Lord himself!
Reaching more young people
Sea Cadets has continued to grow its capacity to support young people in 2025/26. In the financial year ending on 31 March, we opened 35 new sections across the UK, thanks to the support of our Growth and Development Team – who also promoted Sea Cadets to 18,691 young people during 162 school engagement sessions.
Six additional SeaVenturers sections opened their doors during the year, as we looked to offer a lighter-touch experience of Sea Cadets while reaching into new communities. Their accessible 90-minute sessions are already proving a hit with families and volunteers who might not otherwise be able to access a traditional Sea Cadets unit. Learn more about SeaVenturers and their locations.
Capturing the essence of Sea Cadets
Well done to all the talented cadets and volunteers who entered the Royal Navy’s Peregrine Trophy photo competition, and a huge congratulations to our winners: Leading Cadet Aiden of Tamworth Unit, who showcased the commitment and concentration of National Trafalgar Day; and PO (SCC) Lauren Swann of Poole Unit, who caught the pure exhilaration of teamwork on the water!
“I have never had a photography lesson, thanks to my mum showing me the ropes,” said Aiden. “After she explained I had won the competition, it still took a day for it to finally hit me!”
Aiden and Laura will now receive their trophies at a special ceremony in September, when their photos will take pride of place in an exhibition at the new Royal Marines Museum in Portsmouth.
An epic week for young flyers
This year’s Cadet Naval Aviation programme got off to a great start with the Ground School course at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. Our aspiring aviators received instruction on subjects from air engineering to flight deck operations; tried the Merlin helicopter simulator; and visited various squadrons – where they met serving pilots, navigators and air crew.
The course ended in the presentation of their Bronze Wings by the station’s Executive Officer (and former sea cadet) Commander Richard Turrell RN. “The course taught me that perseverance is worth the effort,” said Leading Cadet Jonathan of Sevenoaks Unit, who also received the Top Student trophy.
“We are immensely proud of all the cadets,” said Lt Cdr (SCC) Steve Cook RNR, National Staff Officer for RN Cadet Naval Aviation. “Their hard work and passion for aviation is truly inspiring.”
Captain Sea Cadets ‘on tour’ in South West Area
Captain Hannah MacKenzie VR RN has had an incredibly busy start to her tenure as Captain Sea Cadets. As well as taking part in each area’s Volunteer Conference, some early visits to the South West have provided great opportunities to witness cadets demonstrating their skills and teamwork.
First, a trip to HMS Raleigh included a chance to see Torpoint Unit Band’s Corps of Drums performing for the SCC Chaplaincy Branch Mess Dinner, with Captain Hannah praising their “great musicianship”. A few days later, Captain Sea Cadets joined the National Cadet Voice Team for a training weekend at the Midlands Boat Station in Birmingham – where she learned how the team is representing their peers across the UK.
A series of unit visits then took the Captain to both Bristol units (Adventure and Knowle); to a full band performance by Weston Unit; and for some ropework at City of Bath Unit.
With her travel commitments set to cover the whole UK during the year, look out for Captain Sea Cadets at a unit near you very soon!
Photos: Sea Cadets, Army Cadets
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