About UKSA - The Maritime Academy
Founded by Noel Lister in 1987 and set up as a charity and non profit making organisation, UKSA has been at the forefront of promoting excellence in maritime training for more than 20 years.
Our charitable objectives are
To advance the education and physical, mental and spiritual development of children (or young persons under the age of 25) by providing or assisting in providing facilities for training in sailing and seamanship of children and young persons who have need of such facilities by reason of poverty or social or economic circumstances (so they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society) and to provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation of the general public with the object of improving their conditions of life.
UKSA's activities are focused in six main areas:
Maritime Career Training
Encouraging personal growth and fulfilment by providing maritime education and safety training in order to open access to employment.
Schools and Groups
Supporting, empowering and educating young people by introducing them to the fun, challenge and rewards of residential watersports.
Leisure Watersports and Yachting
Enriching leisure time activity by opening opportunity to take part in motivational experiences afloat.
Corporate Marine Experiences
Providing inspirational experiences that will promote and encourage business development and at the same time support individual growth and fulfilment.
Yacht Youth Racing
Encouraging and supporting personal growth and development through racing.
Community
Working with the local community to provide opportunities afloat for young people irrespective of financial or social circumstances and promoting the benefits sailing and watersports can offer.
Introducing and developing
Each year we introduce the fun and excitement of sailing and watersports to over 3,000 young people, with our schools bursary fund ensuring we provide the widest possible opportunity for people to take part in residential watersports activities. UKSA also trains over 400 people for professional careers in the yachting and watersports industry and has an alumni of over 4,000 graduates who have benefited from UKSA career training programmes. Our Chichester Scholarship scheme provides financial assistance to those from backgrounds of poverty or difficult social or economic circumstances, who wish to train for a career in the marine industry.
The best locations worldwide
UKSA training options span the globe, including bases in Cowes (UK), Egypt, Greece, and yachts voyaging in Atlantic waters between the Caribbean and Mediterranean. The variety of training locations we offer helps to enrich our student's learning experience and assist in their mental and physical development. Our Cowes campus is the largest residential watersports centre in Europe and boasts one of the most diverse professional yacht training fleets in the UK. The Academy has over 300 craft, from the smallest surfboards and beginners' dinghies to our two 67ft Global Challenge sailing yachts.
UKSA Cowes
Our 3.5 acre campus in Cowes is fully equipped to cater for everyone from school groups taking part in residential multi-activity weeks to experienced mariners undertaking MCA training. Training facilities include specialist lecture rooms, a dedicated yachting technology department, a £150,000 Transas navigation simulator, plus an engine room training workshop with Transas engine and yacht systems simulator. We have on-site accommodation for 270 people, with comprehensive facilities including heated indoor pool, multi-gym, bar, shop and Internet café. With food, accommodation and evening entertainment provided, visitors can focus on their studies and chosen sport.
Our growth and success has firmly established the UKSA's reputation as the number one international maritime training organisation for young people, professional yachtsmen and leisure sailors alike.