After nearly 15 years of dedicated service as Chief Executive, Martin Coles CBE has announced his decision to step down in late spring 2025. Under Martin's leadership, Marine Society and Sea Cadets has undergone significant transformation, enhancing the Sea Cadets experience and modernising support for seafarers.
To read the full statement on Martin's retirement and his contributions to the organisation, please click here.
Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is deeply saddened by the loss of our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen. Our thoughts and condolences are with The Princess Royal, Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, and the entire Royal Family.
The Queen has been a shining star of servant leadership to each of us individually, to our country, to the Commonwealth and across the world, helping shape and enrich the lives of generations. We are hugely grateful for the interest, support and encouragement shown by Her Majesty and the Royal Family for our work and its impact on the lives of thousands of young people and seafarers. The Queen will always hold a special place in our hearts.
The Chair of Marine Society and Sea Cadets, Jeremy Penn, has written a letter to express condolences and sympathy to HM King Charles III on behalf of the charity.
Ensigns across Sea Cadets are being flown at half-mast. The charity now looks to its participation in remembrance events, including Her Majesty’s funeral procession.
For cadets and their families, answers to important questions can be found here.
MSSC is deeply saddened by the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
His Royal Highness served as Admiral of the Sea Cadets Corps from 1952 to 1992 as well as having served the Royal Navy as Lord High Admiral of the Fleet and Captain General Royal Marines.
“We mourn the loss of Prince Philip, who we considered part of the Sea Cadets’ family,” says Captain Phil Russell RN, Captain Sea Cadets.
“Sea Cadets remembers with affection The Duke of Edinburgh’s 40 years of dedication and service to cadets and his continued deep interest in our work launching young people for life.
Many of our cadets have also greatly benefitted from His Royal Highness’s inspirational Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme which continues to enable many thousands of young people around the world to prepare for their future lives with confidence, skill and positivity. His Royal Highness leaves the world an extraordinary and enduring legacy.”
Ensigns across Sea Cadets are being flown at half-mast.
This year to celebrate the Marine Society & Sea Cadet’s birthday as well as ‘International Day of the Seafarer’ we are sharing the story of Abigail. An ex-sea cadet who now works in the Merchant Navy.
“My name is Abbie Sanders. I joined Sea Cadets as a junior in 2008, as soon as I was old enough. Then I worked my way up to Leading Cadet over the 8 years I was there.
“I thoroughly enjoyed and embraced my time at Sea Cadets and I am 100% certain that my current position and future was shaped during my time as a cadet.
“I was surrounded by enthusiastic and motivating staff that encouraged me to strive for my goals; one of which was becoming a dinghy instructor, which involved working abroad. The second goal was joining the Merchant Navy.
In 2014, Sea Cadets helped me to obtain my RYA dinghy instructor certificate. This allowed me to train other cadets, get a summer job working at home, and then abroad in Malta age 16.
This could have been quite daunting at a young age; going to live and work in a foreign country for a summer, but the skills and confidence I gained at Sea Cadets help me achieve my potential.
“This set me up well for my next adventure. Joining the Merchant Navy! The staff at Marine Society & Sea Cadets talked about careers at sea and encouraged me to embark on a Merchant Navy Deck Officer Cadetship!
“In 2016, I left home and went to study at Warsash Maritime Academy.
Thanks to Marine Society & Sea Cadets, doing a Merchant Navy Cadetship meant a shipping company (in my case Trinity House) paid for all my costs and paid for my training. It beats getting into student debt!
Trinity house also provided me with ship placements during my cadetship.
“I have worked on two cruise ships, a tall ship, a superyacht and a buoy tender. By doing this, I travelled the world and visited nearly 25 countries including Australia, Seychelles, India, Norway and more!
During this time, I have learnt such valuable skills. I am excited to go back to my unit; to share my knowledge and show cadets how being a sea cadet can take us so far in life”.
- Abbie Sanders
The Mountbatten Festival of Music features the Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, performing over two nights at the Royal Albert Hall. These concerts display the outstanding versatility of the world’s finest military musicians in a spectacular venue. The Festival sees the Royal Marines showcase their incredible musicianship and pageantry and features a wide range of musical styles, including music from the big screen and superb solo items, as well as the traditional marches and overtures that have proved such a hit with audiences over the years. This year, Captain General Royal Marines Prince Harry was among those who attended.
Proceeds go to The Royal Marines Charity and CLIC Sargent.
First Sea Lord Cadets host VIPs at the event and help the event organisers with various other duties such as programme selling.
