A single email set Alfie Allen on course for a seafaring career that has led him to win the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's (MCA) Officer Trainee of the Year Award 2025.
The journey culminated last night (2 February 2026) when he was presented with his prize by Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather at the President's Reception ahead of the UK Chamber of Shipping Annual Dinner at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel, London.
Each year the award recognises an exceptional Merchant Navy officer trainee who has demonstrated high levels of academic achievement, professional progress, and personal leadership.
Alfie (20) traces his achievement to the sole reply he received to 20 letters and emails he sent as a 16-year-old schoolboy to shipping companies asking about a way into the maritime industry.
An invitation to tour the Hull-Rotterdam ferry showed the way forward and confirmed his enthusiasm for life on board, first kindled aged 10 when he joined the Sea Cadets.
Alfie, who is preparing to join the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, said:
If you told me then that later down the line I would achieve MCA Officer Trainee of the Year, I wouldn't have believed you!
I couldn't imagine even getting as far as becoming a qualified officer, so to achieve this means so much to me.
Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather said:
Alfie's determination, commitment and enthusiasm for the maritime industry is clear and I congratulate him on receiving the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Officer Trainee of the Year Award.
I am incredibly proud of our UK seafarers and everyone who keeps our maritime sector moving, and it's a privilege to celebrate the next generation who will carry forward Britain's distinguished seafaring heritage.
Alfie was born by the sea at Scarborough, North Yorkshire. On weeknights and weekends he would learn new skills at Sea Cadets. He knew this was the career for him but at that time the way forward was not clear.
Alfie said:
Shipping carries the majority of global trade, yet the people behind it are often an unseen workforce.
The bug to work at sea didn't go away though and it spurred me on to understand more about the industry.
From his visit to the Hull ferry, he came away with a plan that led him to leave home at the age of 16 and enrol at South Shields Marine School.
After four years of study and experience, in September 2025 he qualified for his UK Certificate of Competency.
Alfie said:
I was lucky enough not only to be sponsored by a reputable company but also to experience a variety of vessels: a cruise ship, a Royal Navy patrol vessel, a container ship and buoy tender.
Even with this experience, life at sea always comes with its challenges as it is far from a normal job. Joining an 8,000-capacity cruise ship at age 18 and working in a professional environment is not an easy thing for anyone starting out.
However, no experience is a bad experience and I feel like going through these emotions and feelings is what makes the seafarer a seafarer.
I look forward to the ships I will be working on in the future and all the new people and adventures this job and industry allows me to encounter.
Lars Lippuner, MCA Director UK Customer Service, said:
Alfie's dedication and enthusiasm to progress in the maritime world is the kind of inspirational story that the MCA Officer Trainee of the Year Award was set up to promote.
It's fantastic to see how Alfie has thrived at sea. His journey showcases the variety of options offered by a maritime career, and how to seize those opportunities.
Our seafarers are central to the success of the industry so I would urge anyone to consider following in his wake.
UK Chamber of Shipping Chief Executive Rhett Hatcher said:
The UK Chamber of Shipping is delighted to congratulate Alfie Allen on receiving the MCA's Officer Trainee of the Year 2025 award.
Alfie's resilience, determination, and commitment to supporting his fellow cadets exemplify the professionalism and spirit that drive our industry forward.
We were proud to host the presentation of this prestigious award during the President's Reception at our Annual Dinner, and we look forward to following Alfie's continued success as he helps shape the future of the maritime industry.
