Passing Out Ceremony for Officer Cadets

Newly qualified marine engineer and navigation officers recently marked the completion of their three-year merchant navy training and education programme at Solent University’s Warsash Maritime Academy.

110 newly qualified Marine Engineer and Navigation Officers -  from the September 2015 Deck Foundation Degree, September 2015 Deck HND, September 2015 Engine HND and January 2016 Engine Foundation Degree cohorts – celebrated their achievement at an official Passing Out ceremony at the end of June.

Speaking at the ceremony Solent University Chancellor, Admiral, The Right Honourable Lord West of Spithead, congratulated the officers and said: “Global wealth depends on the maritime and a stable world. Good training and professionalism of the world’s seafarers is absolutely critical and Warsash plays a key part in that.” He went on to say: “ The world recognises the value of a Warsash trained officer, as I’ve said I’ve been travelling the seas of the world for decades and I can tell you that Warsash trained officers are recognised as being the best in the world.”

Family and friends, sponsors, representatives from shipping organisations and staff joined the cadets for the celebrations at the O2 Guildhall, in Southampton.

Maritime organisations attending the ceremony included:  Anglo Eastern (UK) Ltd, BP Shipping, Carisbrooke Shipping Plc, Carnival UK, Chiltern Maritime Ltd, Clyde Marine Training Ltd, Maersk Crewing Ltd, Merchant Navy Training Board, Princess Cruises, RCL Cruises Ltd, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Royal Institute of Navigation, Saga, Ship Safe Training Group Ltd, TechnipFMC, The Corporation of Trinity House, Viking Recruitment, V-Ships and the Warsash Association.

A total of 167 Warsash Maritime Academy officer cadets have passed out and completed their merchant navy training in the 2017/2018 academic year, ready to embark on their professional careers in worldwide shipping.

Annual awards were also presented to officer cadets for their outstanding performance and contribution to their training:

Deck and engineer officer cadet of the year award -  presented to those individuals who have performed to the highest standard throughout their cadetship and whose overall attainment in theoretical and practical elements is assessed as being outstanding among their peers.

• 2018 winner Deck: Felix Amoreth, Jan 15 HND Deck, BP Angola
• 2018 winner Engineer: Robert Beaver, Sept 15 FD Eng, SSTG, Evergreen Marine (UK) Ltd

The Matthew Flinders Navigation Cup - awarded to the deck cadet who has best promoted excellence in navigation.

• 2018 winner: Douglas Bedford, Jan 15 HND Deck, Chiltern Maritime, Condor Ferries

Royal Institute of Navigation's John Milner Prize for Navigation - an annual navigation award for foundation degree deck cadets sponsored by The Royal Institute of Navigation

• 2018 winner: Adam James, Jan 15 FD Deck, SSTG, Evergreen Marine (UK) Ltd

The Isambard Brunel Engineering Cup - awarded to the marine engineer cadet who has best contributed to promoting excellence in engineering practice.

• 2018 winner: Hanna Osgood Sept 15 FD Eng SSTG, TUI

Commendation for individual achievement – The Sword of Honour is awarded to an officer cadet who has demonstrated exceptional motivation, effort and determination to bring their cadetship to a successful conclusion. The winner also receives the Warsash Association Cup.

• 2018 winner: Matthew Gigg, Jan 15 HND Deck, V Ships, MEF

Congratulating the newly qualified officers, Captain Syamantak Bhattacharya, Director of the Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering, said: “It takes hard work and determination to get to where they are today. We wish these newly qualified officers every success as they embark upon their professional careers.”