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Nominations now open for the Solent Engage Awards
Nominations for the Solent Engage Awards 2024 are now open
15 July 202411 June 2024
Scarlett Barnett-Smith, a deck cadet officer from Warsash Maritime School (WMS), has won the Bevis Minter Award at the 2024 Maritime UK Awards.
Sponsored by Nautilus International, the Bevis Minter Award recognises the accomplishments of outstanding cadets.Â
Scarlett has been celebrated for utilising social media to raise the profile of women in maritime, chronicling her experience as a student to more than 17K followers. Providing a contemporary insight into cadet life, Scarlett has been praised for her approach, and recognised by various organisations within the industry who have asked her to be part of their campaigns to attract more young women to maritime and shipping.
Scarlett says:
"I am so grateful to have achieved this award. During my cadetship I went through some very challenging times, but I never gave up. I have received a lot of support from Warsash Maritime School, who have helped me build resilience, as well as Nautilus International, Port of London Authority, Trinity House, and Just be Maritime.
"I will continue to promote the maritime sector and my journey as my career progresses with the goal of changing the stereotypes of a seafarer. My message to young people pursuing a career in maritime would be: if you want to become a seafarer it doesn't matter what gender you are, where you come from and what you sound like. You can do it. Never give up."
Completing her studies this year, Scarlett began her journey in 2021, undertaking a maritime officer deck cadetship programme, including a HND in Nautical Science at WMS, part of Solent University, Southampton. Scarlett was sponsored by the Port of London Authority and Trinity House.
Director of Warsash Maritime School, Kunal Anand, says:
"Scarlett is a truly dedicated student, with a clear passion for maritime, and she is a deserving winner of this year's Bevis Minter Award.
"At Warsash, we are committed to driving forward inclusion and diversity in maritime, and Scarlett is a natural champion in this area. Not only is she motivating girls and women to consider careers as seafarers, she has also inspired her fellow students. We are all incredibly proud of Scarlett and wish her all the best for a successful future."
Scarlett received her award at a special ceremony at Titanic Belfast on Wednesday 5 June, where more than 500 people came together to celebrate excellence across the UK maritime sector.
Find out more about fully-funded cadetships at Warsash Maritime School here.