UKSA (maritime charity)
Encyclopedia
UKSA in Cowes
(previously called UK Sailing Academy) is a charity founded by MFI entrepreneur Noel Lister
in 1987. He bought a Sports Council building with the intention of giving young people the opportunity to experience adventurous maritime activity. HRH The Princess Royal became Patron of UKSA in 1992. Dame Ellen MacArthur, Shirley Robertson
, OBE and Hilary Lister
are all Ambassadors for the charity.
Today UKSA’s charitable work is split into four areas:
Traditionally winter watersports training has been held overseas. Currently this is in Dahab
, Egypt. Previously it has been in Australia (2003–2007) and Barbados (1996–2003).
(MCA) introduced new superyacht regulations so yachting career courses were moved in line with this.
By 2003 engineering courses were offered as an alternative career option. Hospitality courses also began in 2003. UKSA added MCA Deck Officer training to its spectrum of courses in 2000. This began with Class 4 training but today includes STCW Basic Training, Master 200gt through to Officer of the Watch, Chief Mate and Master 3000gt.
In 2004, UKSA worked in partnership with the MCA to develop its three-year Cadetship which trains individuals to Deck Officer level through training at UKSA and paid work placements in the maritime industry.
In 2008, The Corporation of Trinity House extended its Professional Yachtsman Bursary Scheme to individuals applying for the UKSA Cadetship. The scheme funds part of the Cadet’s tuition fees along with a maintenance grant.
In 2010 5,401 individuals from schools and youth groups spent time at UKSA.
In 2010 278 beneficiaries with disabilities spent time at UKSA on day or residential trips.
(RYA) to form the British Keelboat Academy (BKA). The BKA is aimed at 18–24 year old with the squad divided in ‘Development’ and ‘National’. The Development squad train and race on UKSA’s fleet of J80s. Until 2010 the National squad trained and raced on the RYA’s John Merricks II. In 2011 Skype founder Niklas Zennström
loaned Farr 45 Kólga from his Rán fleet to the BKA. The BKA have also been loaned J/109 Yeoman of Wight by David Aisher, Rear Commodore Yachting of the Royal Yacht Squadron
.
for £1. Following a campaign to restore her, the boat was ready to sail again in 2005. From 2005-07, Gipsy Moth IV completed a second circumnavigation. Instead of breaking records like Sir Francis Chichester, this global voyage had disadvantaged young people onboard as part of the crew.
In November 2010, Gipsy Moth IV was bought by new owners Rob Thompson and Eileen Skinner. The boat is managed by UKSA and alongside attending events throughout the year, will be used by UKSA to promote their charitable activities.
The training was designed to give each young person a host of transferable skills to utilise in the future. Since completing their apprenticeship, 71% of the apprentices are now employed both in the UK and overseas.
The young people on the project took part in structured sailing and watersports activities alongside personal mentoring to help them develop essential skill sets and confidence to help them engage with local clubs and services.
Cowes
Cowes is an English seaport town and civil parish on the Isle of Wight. Cowes is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east Bank...
(previously called UK Sailing Academy) is a charity founded by MFI entrepreneur Noel Lister
Noel Lister
Noel Lister is the founder of MFI Group which became one of the United Kingdom's largest retail chains, and also the founder of the UK Sailing Academy at Cowes.-Career:...
in 1987. He bought a Sports Council building with the intention of giving young people the opportunity to experience adventurous maritime activity. HRH The Princess Royal became Patron of UKSA in 1992. Dame Ellen MacArthur, Shirley Robertson
Shirley Robertson
Shirley Ann Robertson, OBE is a Scottish sailor and Olympic gold medallist. She made it in the history books by becoming the first British woman to win two Olympic gold medals at consecutive games, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004....
, OBE and Hilary Lister
Hilary Lister
Hilary Lister is a record-breaking quadriplegic sailor from Kent, England. She suffers from the progressive condition reflex sympathetic dystrophy and controls her ship by using sip-and-puff technology for steering and sails....
are all Ambassadors for the charity.
Today UKSA’s charitable work is split into four areas:
- Careers
- Schools and Youth Groups
- Disability
- Sporting Performance
Careers
UKSA began teaching watersports career courses in 1990 and yachting career courses in 1993 as a way for people from all backgrounds and circumstances to be able to get the right qualifications for a career in the maritime industry.Watersports
The first watersports course taught was Leisure Management Training. In 1994 Professional Instructor Training was created and over the years has progressed to become Watersports Instructor Training. Students can also train in a host of additional individual qualifications including kitesurfing, personal watercraft, windsurfing, dinghy sailing and kayaking.Traditionally winter watersports training has been held overseas. Currently this is in Dahab
Dahab
Dahab is a small town situated on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Formerly a Bedouin fishing village, located approximately northeast of Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab is considered to be one of the Sinai's most treasured diving destinations...
, Egypt. Previously it has been in Australia (2003–2007) and Barbados (1996–2003).
Yachting
The first yachting course taught at UKSA was Professional Crew Training developed by Noel Lister and his team. This developed into Professional Crew and Skipper training and then in 1998 into Caribbean Ocean Training. By 2001 the Maritime and Coastguard AgencyMaritime and Coastguard Agency
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is a UK executive agency working to prevent the loss of lives at sea and is responsible for implementing British and International maritime law and safety policy.This involves coordinating search and rescue at sea through Her Majesty's Coastguard , ensuring that...
(MCA) introduced new superyacht regulations so yachting career courses were moved in line with this.
By 2003 engineering courses were offered as an alternative career option. Hospitality courses also began in 2003. UKSA added MCA Deck Officer training to its spectrum of courses in 2000. This began with Class 4 training but today includes STCW Basic Training, Master 200gt through to Officer of the Watch, Chief Mate and Master 3000gt.
In 2004, UKSA worked in partnership with the MCA to develop its three-year Cadetship which trains individuals to Deck Officer level through training at UKSA and paid work placements in the maritime industry.
In 2008, The Corporation of Trinity House extended its Professional Yachtsman Bursary Scheme to individuals applying for the UKSA Cadetship. The scheme funds part of the Cadet’s tuition fees along with a maintenance grant.
Schools and Youth Groups
Schools and youth groups from across the UK visit UKSA for day or residential trips throughout the year. Trips either focus on one activity such as keelboating or are multi-activity. For schools there is the option to link their visit to the curriculum.In 2010 5,401 individuals from schools and youth groups spent time at UKSA.
Disability
UKSA works with a number of specialist schools, groups and individuals to assist them in being able to participate in watersports and sailing activities.In 2010 278 beneficiaries with disabilities spent time at UKSA on day or residential trips.
GBR Yacht Racing Academy (GBR YRA)
The GBR YRA was created in 2006 by Bear of Britain owner Kit Hobday and Chernikeeff 2 owner Peter Harrison in association with UKSA.British Keelboat Academy
In 2009 GBR YRA joined forces with the Royal Yachting AssociationRoyal Yachting Association
The Royal Yachting Association is the national governing body for certain watersports in the United Kingdom. Activities it covers include:* Sailing* Windsurfing* Motor cruising* Sportsboats* Personal watercraft* Powerboat racing...
(RYA) to form the British Keelboat Academy (BKA). The BKA is aimed at 18–24 year old with the squad divided in ‘Development’ and ‘National’. The Development squad train and race on UKSA’s fleet of J80s. Until 2010 the National squad trained and raced on the RYA’s John Merricks II. In 2011 Skype founder Niklas Zennström
Niklas Zennström
Niklas Zennström is an entrepreneur best known for founding several high-profile online ventures with Janus Friis including Skype and Kazaa. More recently he founded the investment group Atomico and has become a significant figurehead for entrepreneurs in the tech sector.-Career:Zennström started...
loaned Farr 45 Kólga from his Rán fleet to the BKA. The BKA have also been loaned J/109 Yeoman of Wight by David Aisher, Rear Commodore Yachting of the Royal Yacht Squadron
Royal Yacht Squadron
The Royal Yacht Squadron is the most prestigious yacht club in the United Kingdom and arguably the world. Its clubhouse is located in Cowes Castle on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom...
.
Gipsy Moth IV
In 2004, UKSA bought Gipsy Moth IVGipsy Moth IV
Gipsy Moth IV is a yawl that Sir Francis Chichester commissioned specifically to sail single-handed around the globe, racing against the times set by the clipper ships of the 19th century.-Background and design:...
for £1. Following a campaign to restore her, the boat was ready to sail again in 2005. From 2005-07, Gipsy Moth IV completed a second circumnavigation. Instead of breaking records like Sir Francis Chichester, this global voyage had disadvantaged young people onboard as part of the crew.
In November 2010, Gipsy Moth IV was bought by new owners Rob Thompson and Eileen Skinner. The boat is managed by UKSA and alongside attending events throughout the year, will be used by UKSA to promote their charitable activities.
Apprenticeship and Island Youth Partnership
As part of their charitable work, UKSA helps young people back into work or interact in a positive way with their local community.Apprenticeship
Using funding from the government’s Future Jobs Fund, two cohorts of 18–24 year olds that had been labelled as NEET – not in employment, education or training – began training for watersports qualifications at UKSA in April and October 2010.The training was designed to give each young person a host of transferable skills to utilise in the future. Since completing their apprenticeship, 71% of the apprentices are now employed both in the UK and overseas.
Island Youth Partnership
In partnership with the Isle of Wight Community Partnership, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Vestas Technology UK and Employee Volunteering, UKSA launched a pilot project for young people on the Isle of Wight in spring and summer of 2010.The young people on the project took part in structured sailing and watersports activities alongside personal mentoring to help them develop essential skill sets and confidence to help them engage with local clubs and services.