A SEA Cadet has become one of only 55 to win an award.

Thurrock Sea Cadet Freddie Wells, 16, achieved the challenging Advanced Seamanship qualification last month.

The young cadet from South Ockendon in Thurrock was one of only 55 cadets out of 14,000 to achieve the challenging qualification.

The tests puts Sea Cadets through their paces on rope work, rigging, splicing and whipping, canvas work and decorative rope work.

Freddie, who is a Leading Cadet, joined Sea Cadets because his older brother is a cadet at the unit and his parents volunteer there too.

The youngster said: “I went away for two weekends at our training centre in Caledonia to study for the Advanced Seamanship qualification, but having been on the past two courses I had a great knowledge of Seamanship already.

"For example I needed to know every single part of a ship and there meanings. To be able to tie every knot and decorative knot that was included on the course and know there function, like a running bow line.

“In the future I would like to see myself achieving more qualifications, aiming to get my silver Duke of Edinburgh and I would like to go for my Petty Office Cadets board – the highest rank of a Sea Cadet.”

Freddie’s huge achievement is part of a new national partnership with Carnival and Sea Cadets.

Carnival Corporation & plc, parent company of P&O Cruises and Cunard, is supporting the Sea Cadets seamanship qualification which will enable 14,000 cadets aged 10 - 18 to broaden their career options in the maritime industry.

Sea Cadets offers young people between 10 and 18 an environment where they can find new confidence and inspiration, through nautical adventure.

Across the UK 14,000 young people are challenging themselves and learning new skills based on the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy to give them the best possible head start in life.

Visit www.sea-cadets.org