Grand opening

The Princess Royal, Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, officially opened our new residential boat station at the picturesque Port Edgar Marina outside Edinburgh on 1 April. Her Royal Highness met with cadets and watched as they paraded and got out on the water for boating, sailing, rowing and paddlesports.

The new facilities will serve young people across the region for generations to come. The visit was also an opportunity for our Admiral to meet with the Northern Area Cadet Forum to discuss important issues on cadets’ minds today.

In a speech, Princess Anne called the new boat station “an exceptional place” and said she hopes it “will be home for many generations of sea cadets”. She also praised the charity for the opportunities it offers to young people: “Sea Cadets has quite a history – a history that you keep adding to,” she told the cadets.

The Princess Royal has been an active supporter of Sea Cadets for many years. She also named both the former and current flagships, TS Royalist.

More than 80 cadets from across Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England participated in the opening event. 

Martin Coles, CEO of Sea Cadets, said: “We are delighted to have welcomed HRH The Princess Royal, and we see it as the first of many occasions our Admiral will be able to engage with cadets and support the charity’s work to launch young people for life. Young people are facing more challenges than ever before, so investing in their future has never been more crucial.” 

The boat station will provide opportunities for even more young people to enjoy water sports, earn qualifications and take part in courses such as first aid, navigation and meteorology.

Photos: Sea Cadets