A TEENAGER from York has become one of only 12 sea cadets to achieve an advanced qualification.

Ella Duke, 15, from Acomb, has gained her Advanced Seamanship qualification, and is one of only a dozen to do so, out of 14,000 cadets around the country.

The achievement is part of a new partnership with Carnival Corporation, the parent company of P&O Cruises and Cunard, which supports Sea Cadets enabling 14,000 cadets aged between 10 and 18 to broaden their career options in the maritime industry.

Ella was tested on her knowledge of rope work, rigging, splicing and whipping, canvas work and decorative rope work.

Ella, who is an Able Cadet, joined when she was 12 years old, and said: “Before I joined Sea Cadets, I was really shy and lacked confidence. I’m dyslexic, I feared being around large groups of people, reading and speaking out loud. Sea Cadets have been very accepting and helped overcome these changes and since joining, I have read many speeches and taught a few classes.

"I recommend any young cadet to take part in this qualification as it gives you vital skills that can be used later on in life. Now that I have the knowledge, I can teach younger cadets, so they have the opportunity to progress to the next rank and have the knowledge to attend seamanship courses to gain the qualifications too.

To find out more go to sea-cadets.org