A select group of Sea Cadets will this summer take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant as part of the celebration of the Queen’s 60 years on the throne.Five cadets will take part in the event on one of a flotilla of more than 1000 boats escorting the Royal barge down the Thames on June 3, Lt Michael Frith told a Government House press conference.“The UK Sea Cadet Corp are taking part in that flotilla and forming a group of 54 of their dinghies that will surround the Royal barge, each one carrying a different flag of the Commonwealth nations,” he said.“We expressed and interest in taking part and were selected to do so, which we are very excited about.“The original intention had been for them to row, but the organisers thought better of that when they realised that having 1000 boats and 54 Sea Cadet boats with oars on either side in the middle of the Thames perhaps wasn’t the best idea, so they will have small outboards fitted.”More than a million spectators are expected to turn out for the event, and Lt Frith said the competition to earn a spot in the pageant has been fierce.Other cadets will play a part in celebrating the Diamond Jubilee here.“We are very excited about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The cadets have been quite enthusiastic about it, they are working very, very hard to make sure that we raise the funds to be able to go away and do this,” Lt Frith said.Free accommodation has been provided for the trip, Lt Frith said. However the cadets need to raise around $13,000 for airfare, equipment and incidental costs. Two fundraising events have already been planned, including a fish fry and a sponsored row.The five cadets who will take part in the London event have not been selected yet. They will be chosen based on their skills, and their commitment to the cadets, training and the fundraising efforts.Deputy Governor David Arkley congratulated the Sea Cadets for their efforts.“Being selected to participate in the pageant is quite a great honour for the five sea cadets who will be selected,” he said.“I must confess to being a bit jealous of the lucky five who get to go. Taking part in an event such as the pageant is quite an honour. They will also be taking part in a piece of history. Diamond Jubilees don’t come around too often and this is certainly going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”