News

Twenty six Sea Cadets from across the UK will take to the international stage this summer as part of the Tall Ships Races, forming one of the youngest crews in the entire fleet.

Sailing aboard TS Royalist, the charity’s flagship training vessel, the cadets will join ships from around the world in Northern Europe, with stops including Harlingen, Antwerp and Stavanger. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to attend.

With an average age of just 17, and the youngest crew member turning 15 just days before their race leg, the group reflects the youth focus at the heart of the event.

Built in 2015, TS Royalist is designed for hands-on sail training, giving young people the chance to develop seamanship, teamwork and resilience in a demanding offshore environment.

The races, organised by Sail Training International, celebrate their 70th anniversary this year. For Sea Cadets, 2026 also marks 60 years since first taking part.

Cadet Corporal Evan, from Maidenhead Royal Marines Cadets, said: “It’s about leadership, teamwork and being part of something bigger than yourself. You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails.”

Alongside those on Royalist, nine more Sea Cadets will join an international crew on the Portuguese tall ship Vera Cruz.

Together, they will represent the UK while developing skills that last a lifetime, both at sea and ashore.

Sea Cadets’ flagship vessel TS Royalist features in a new film created with Ubisoft and Red Bull, ahead of the release of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced in July.

The film follows historian and former Sea Cadet Dan Snow and Olympic sailing champion Ruggero Tita as they step on board the brig alongside cadets, experiencing the teamwork and skill needed to sail a tall ship.

From hauling sails to working aloft, it captures the realities of life at sea and highlights how discipline, coordination and trust are essential to operating Royalist.

The collaboration showcases the unique experiences Sea Cadets offers young people, bringing nautical skills and life at sea to a global audience.

Watch the film here
 

Sea Cadets is proud to share that a trustee and two volunteers have been recognised in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours for their outstanding service to young people, their communities and the wider cadet movement.

• Jeremy Penn, Chair of Marine Society & Sea Cadets, has been awarded an MBE for services to young people, recognising his leadership in strengthening opportunities for cadets across the UK. (Pictured left)
• Ruth Verner, Northern Area Chair and non uniformed representative on the National Sea Cadet Advisory Council, has been awarded a BEM for services to the community in County Antrim. In 2023, she was also named one of just 500 Coronation Champions, recognising exceptional voluntary service.
• Lieutenant (SCC) Joshua McDermott RNR has been awarded an MBE for his exceptional leadership and impact as Commanding Officer of Ellesmere Port Sea Cadets. Under his leadership, Ellesmere Port has more than doubled in size and achieved Gold Burgee status, recognising both exceptional growth and the highest standards of training.

These honours reflect the extraordinary commitment and impact of Sea Cadets volunteers, whose dedication creates life changing opportunities for young people every day.

Congratulations and Bravo Zulu to all recipients.

Sea Cadets stepped aboard HMS Belfast for The Big Help Out, taking part in a hands-on day of learning with Imperial War Museums volunteers who help bring the ship’s history to life.

Across two sessions, cadets explored what life was like for wartime sailors, hearing first-hand stories from former Royal Navy submariner and ex–Sea Cadet Mike Allen, and discovering the strong sense of teamwork that defined the original crew.

As part of the visit, cadets created self-portraits to form a new “HMS Belfast crew”, a modern, diverse reflection of the ship’s company. The activity encouraged them to think about their own identity, experiences and future ambitions.

The event, part of The Big Help Out marking Volunteers’ Week, highlighted how volunteering helps preserve history, strengthen communities and support young people to build confidence and skills for life.

MSSC CEO Guy Holloway said: “Sea Cadets is about helping young people grow in confidence, resilience and teamwork. On HMS Belfast, they’re not just seeing history, they’re learning directly from volunteers who bring it to life.”

Sea Cadets will join other cadet forces across the UK in marking the first-ever National Cadets Week, taking place from 5–11 October 2026.

The week will celebrate the contribution of cadet forces nationwide, recognising the positive impact they have on young people, volunteers and communities.As part of the week, Sea Cadets units will open their doors to families, schools and local communities, offering a chance to learn more about cadet life. Cadets and volunteers will also take part in outreach activities, delivering presentations in schools and workplaces to raise awareness of the programme.

With a strong focus on first aid training, activities will showcase the opportunities available, helping to inspire new cadets, attract volunteers, and demonstrate how cadet experiences prepare young people for adult life.

Guy Holloway, Chief Executive of Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC), said:
“National Cadets Week provides an important opportunity to celebrate Sea Cadets, raise awareness of our impact, recognise our volunteers, and support future growth. It also links directly to the Government’s wider ambition to grow cadet forces by 30% by 2030.”

During National Cadets Week, units will be encouraged to engage locally by:

• Opening their units to cadet peers, families and local communities
• Supporting cadets to share their experiences in schools
• Encouraging volunteers to talk about their roles in workplaces, where appropriate

A national event at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on Saturday 10 October will bring together the wider Royal Navy Cadets community to celebrate and showcase the collective impact, diversity and achievements of cadets and volunteers, alongside regional events.

A new Cadets Action Plan, to be published during the week, will also set out how cadet organisations will continue to grow and evolve, ensuring they remain accessible and relevant to future generations.

Sea Cadets continues to offer young people the chance to develop confidence, resilience and important life skills, while taking part in a wide range of nautical activities and working towards recognised qualifications.

By taking part in this national celebration, Sea Cadets will help highlight the important role of cadet organisations in supporting young people to learn, grow and succeed.