HMS Calliope reservists attend Festival of the Sea

The Annual National Service for Seafarers was started in 1905 and has been developed to reflect the full range of the maritime activities of the nation, with the Royal Navy, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Merchant Navy Association, Sea Cadets and Sea Scouts, to name a few, taking part.

In addition, this year two Royal Naval Reservists from the Gateshead based unit, HMS CALLIOPE, were selected to attend the ceremony on the 9th October at St Pauls Cathedral.

Midshipman Ellie Coleman and AB Yvonne Golightly made the journey from the North East to London to attend the service and pay respects to current seafarers and veterans, as well as learn about the diversity of seafaring services around the UK.

After the ceremony, the pair were Introduced to the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, to talk about the future of the Maritime Reserves and the importance of Reserves within the wider Royal Navy.

Ellie said “Attendance at the service gave us the opportunity to appreciate the diversity of maritime activities in the UK and meet RN, RFA and merchant colleagues we may well get a chance to work alongside in the future. Hearing about future plans for the Maritime Reserves from the First Sea Lord, has helped me to plan own reserve career”.

The next National Service for Seafarers will be held on the 14 October 20.