The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Alan West DSC, GCB, ADC inspected cadets from the Sea Cadet Unit Training Ship St Paul of the Malta GC Unit.

He was accompanied by the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo and by British High Commissioner Vincent Fean.

Admiral West was met at the Malta Unit's HQ in Rinella Bay by the unit commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Lino Camilleri, RNR; unit chairman Captain P. Camilleri RMR (Retd) and unit president Lieutenant Commander J.V. Ebejer RNR (Retd).

The admiral was piped on board by a party of six pipers as is the tradition with an admiral.

The ceremonial started with the inspection of an armed guard of seven Sea and Marine Cadets before proceeding to "Colours and Prayers".

The two inspecting officers inspected the Junior Cadet Division, the Seaman Division and the Marine Cadet Detachment. The officers found time to talk to each of the 54 cadets. Twenty-two officers, senior rates and SNCO's also took part.

A copy of the book Malta and the Royal Navy was presented to the First Sea Lord by one of the authors, Joseph Bonnici, who wrote the book with Michael Cassar.

A framed picture of HMS Somerset was presented to the Sea Cadets by the ship's captain. After witnessing the rigging and working of a jackstay transfer by the cadets, the guests returned to the outside deck for Evening Colours which was followed by presentation of achievement and advancement certificates to the cadets.

Crests were exchanged by the Royal Navy, the Armed Forces of Malta and the Sea Cadet Corps. Commemorative plaques were presented to the Admiral's naval advisor, Captain John Morse RN; the British naval attaché in Rome; Captain John Hollidge RN, the Captain of HMS Somerset; Sir Alan's personal assistant Lieutenant Karen Jacques RN, and Brigadier Vassallo's adjutant, Captain Christopher Xuereb AFM.