Ross Gets His Prize

NAFC Marine Centre merchant navy cadet Ross Sinclair today received the Nautical Institute Prize, awarded annually to a first year deck cadet who has shown excellent endeavour and achievement.

Ross had missed out on receiving the prize at the Centre's prize-giving ceremony in May as on the day of the ceremony he was leaving China en-route for the Philippines on board the Falmouth Bay, a bulk carrier in the K-Line fleet. Having returned home last week Ross, from Cunningsburgh, was presented with the prize by Captain George Sutherland on behalf of the Shetland branch of the Nautical Institute.

Ross was chosen as a worthy recipient of the award as he proved to be a particularly able student who passed all assessments first time and had no difficulty with any subject. Popular with his peers he was often found to be explaining particular concepts to classmates and always has a friendly happy demeanour.

Since starting his deck cadetship in September 2014, Ross has successfully completed all his academic phases and has clocked up 8 months and 1 week of sea time, mostly in the Far East before signing off in Portland, Oregon last week. Ross will return to sea very soon, hopefully on either a gas carrier or container ship, to complete the remainder of his sea time before returning to NAFC in April 2017 for his final exams, leading to his Officer of the Watch qualification.Ross hopes this will be done in time for the Lerwick Up Helly Aa in January as he is very much looking forward to participating as a member of the Jarl Squad .

Captain Sutherland was delighted to meet Ross at last and hand over the prize, and was also very interested to hear about his seagoing experiences. He wished Ross well for the remainder of his studies and looks forward to welcoming him to meetings of the local branch of the Nautical Institute when he is home on leave.