ARR me hearties! Which young scallywags want to take on the challenge of being captain of the cove?

To celebrate the opening of its £500,000 Caribbean Cove attraction this spring, Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park is on the hunt for a young captain and crew in an exciting competition for children aged between 7-11.

The winner and their friends will get to enjoy the outdoor adventure playground – described as Dorset’s largest – before anyone else in an exclusive preview of the new zone.

The winner, known as the playground manager, will also play an important role in the zone’s development by suggesting their own ideas.

The competition launches today and runs until Sunday, March 12 – the last day for entries.

Potential captains should have “a taste for adventure, a love for our underwater friends, and a passion for conservation”.

Interested children should visit the website www2.visitsealife.com/weymouth/ and click the ‘Captain of the Cove’ link where they will have to impress Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park’s own Junior Executive Board by answering a questionnaire about why they deserve the position.

A spokesman said: “As Caribbean Cove’s official playground manager, the winner will receive an annual pass and a GoPro Session, while their friends will have exclusive access to the exciting Galleon, Calypso Heights with three challenging towers and five fun slides, shark encounter, Canyon Bridge and the Oceanic Octopus Crawl Tunnel.

“The captain will also be tasked with return visits during the year to provide management decisions, ideas and feedback for upcoming events at Caribbean Cove.”

The public launch of Caribbean Cove is on Saturday, April 8.

Park general manager Tamsin Mutton-Mcknight said: “This is an exciting

opportunity for one lucky winner to shape the future of Caribbean Cove as its playground manager and preview our exciting new zone with their friends before anyone else.”

The winner must be accompanied by an adult or guardian on the day, and the child’s family will gain access to the park on the day. Photos and video will be taken for publicity purposes.

Opening in 1983, Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park is the second oldest Sea Life site and is unique within the business due to the mix of indoor and outdoor aquarium features, and splash zone.