PLA apprentice scoops Workboat Association best industry trainee gong

Budding deck cadet Scarlett Barnett-Smith, from Gillingham, who started her career as a marine apprentice with the Port of London Authority, has been awarded the 2021 John Percival Award for Best Industry Trainee from the Workboat Association.

Nominated by SeaRegs Training, Scarlett was presented with the award in a virtual event on 9 June.

Chief executive of the Workboat Association Kerrie Forster said: 'Scarlett's eagerness to achieve and to encourage others, made her stand out against other nominees for the award, all of whom we are very proud to have working and training within our industry. She proved herself a superb student.

'We particularly want to recognise Scarlett's efforts to encourage apprenticeships in the maritime sector, and also her work to promote women in maritime.'

PLA training and liaison officer Rachel De Bont commented: 'We're all so proud of what Scarlett has achieved during her maritime career so far. A big thank you from us goes to SeaRegs for nominating her for this prestigious award.'

Scarlett recently spent three weeks at sea aboard the Galatea, as part of a deck cadetship with Warsash Maritime School, part of Solent University sponsored by the PLA and Trinity House.

Scarlett said: 'I'm so honoured to be receiving this award. I want to thank everyone at SeaRegs, and the PLA, especially Rachel, who have been such an enormous support to me, helping me live my dream.'