About UKSA

UKSA’s purpose is to inspire and support children & young people to broaden their horizons through our life enhancing water-based adventures, education and training for careers at sea.

8,000+
Students per year
80%
Under 25
100+
Courses
1
All-inclusive site

Welcome to UKSA!

For over 30 years, we’ve been providing transformational on-the-water experiences and education. We’re committed to widening access to maritime training, enhancing employment opportunities in the sector and, ultimately, transforming the lives of young people. From our unique waterfront campus in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, we offer over 150 industry-leading courses, as well as personal development programmes and trips for schools and groups.

children wearing life jacket splashing in water

Why Choose UKSA

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How to get to UKSA

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Facilities & fleet

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Meet the team

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Noel and Silvia Lister onboard a yacht

Honorary founders

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UKSA Ambassador Dee Caffari with a group of students

Our ambassadors

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HRH Her Princess Royal

Patron – HRH The Princess Royal

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Two UKSA watersport instructors

Work with us

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The Yellow SeaBin plastic collection flotation device

Sustainability

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Start your adventure

Visiting students enjoying UKSA

Your first steps on the water

In 2019 we welcomed over 8,000 children and their leaders from 130 schools & groups across the UK. Our visiting students take part in water-based programmes designed to increase their leadership and life skills. What’s more, for many of the young people, this is the first chance they have to go on the water and the first time they have been away from home.

We offer day and fully-inclusive, residential courses to schools and youth groups. All of our activities are mapped to our Skills for Life framework and the outcomes and insight are shared with the schools and group leaders to measure the impact of their experience and personal development.

“It was the bravest she felt as she stood on the bow of the boat. It made her feel like she could do anything” – Year 7 George Green Pupil

A UKSA instructor giving direction to a UKSA student

Launching your dream career

One of the largest providers of RYA and MCA professional training in the world, we provide career training for people of all ages from a wide variety of backgrounds.

We also have a partnership with the Isle of Wight College to provide further education courses for those seeking practical, vocational training.

Whatever your age or experience, if you’re looking for an exciting new career or you want to step up to a new role, we will equip you with the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed to gain an exciting career in the maritime industry.

Find out more about our professional careers training courses.

Transas and ARI simulator suite

World-class training at UKSA

We are recognised throughout the industry as being world-class providers of MCA & STCW training. We have expert teachers and fantastic facilities, including our Transas and ARI simulator suites.

As one of the world’s top providers of MCA yacht certificates, we offer a comprehensive range of all-inclusive Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and STCW approved courses.

Our MCA and STCW training courses are all-inclusive, meaning everything is on site and all of your food and accommodation is included in the price, so you can focus on your training. We also offer extensive course schedules that provide flexible training options to enable crew and officers to plan their career progression and training around busy schedules.

Sean Starkey on the bow of a yacht whilst training

A youth charity offering transformational opportunities

Our charitable status means we do so much more than just provide training and certification. As well as professional yacht and superyacht career training and watersports career courses, we offer a range of development programmes, giving young people transformational opportunities, both on and off the water.

Fundraising, donations, and our generous partners and volunteers, help make UKSA the best possible place to learn about yachting and watersports. Find out more about our development courses.

Superyacht Cadetship

#SeaChangeStories

Beginning Phase One of the Cadetship is the first step into an incredible career. I made a point of starting as I meant to carry on, focusing on what I was looking to achieve via UKSA and taking advantage of the relatively short training phase. Making friends and contacts paid off tenfold when it came to landing my first position – I was grateful for every opportunity that came my way. Ultimately, my four years were a fantastic journey with first-class training and support.

Dan Snook – Superyacht Cadet

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