Getting to know Bristol Maritime Academy

Getting to know Bristol Maritime Academy

Posted on: 13 Sep 2016

The Bristol Maritime Academy is at the forefront of water sports and safety on Bristol’s amazing Harbour. I was lucky enough to get to chat to Sarah at the Academy and see exactly how they can deliver bespoke quality marine training for the professionals and leisure enthusiasts who want to revolutionise their lives by getting on the water for work and play!

Getting to know Bristol Maritime Academy

Give us a brief run down on who you are and your history.

  

The Bristol Maritime Academy was set up 10 years ago originally as Blueprint Watersports, to develop Watersports overseas in Asia and the Middle East.  We have clients all over the world who tap into our knowledge and support to develop their own marine businesses.

 

We then moved to beautiful Bristol as there was a demand for RYA and MCA maritime training in the centre of the city and we were bored of hearing that clients had to go all the way to Southampton or North Wales to undergo their training. Particularly when Bristol has such an amazing history in the maritime world.

 

What you do and what you offer? 

 

We run a variety of RYA courses, practical and shore based theory at our HQ based within the historic Underfall Yard in Bristol harbour and we pride ourselves on the high quality training delivered by our RYA qualified instructors.

 

Our first career training will start in February with our partner centre in southern Spain. People of any level will have the opportunity to get on our Fast Track Dinghy Instructor Program. They will spend 5 weeks learning how to sail and become an RYA Dinghy Sailing Instructor. Then using our UK and overseas clients and contacts they will be ready to start a career or change their current one get a job on the water.

 

In 2017 Superyacht crew training will be available for those who wish to begin their career in the luxurious part of the marine industry as a Deck Hand or as Interior Crew on a Superyacht. This is a two-week intensive programme giving you all the skills and experience needed to work efficiently on any super yacht in the world and with our international links to the maritime industry we are also able to offer job connections to our students.

 

Starting in September 2017 The Bristol Maritime Academy are proud to present unique courses offering outdoor enthusiasts a direct route to university or employment in the outdoor and watersports industry. This is an alternative route in education for those aged 16+ wishing to gain formal qualifications in water based activities.

 

Our courses are fully OFSTED and once completing the course you would be equipped with vocational courses in “Water Sports and Outdoor Adventure” giving you the skills for your next step in education or employment in the marine industry.

 

We are constantly recruiting for exciting positions within the global maritime industry, from Watersports instructors with our clients China and the UAE, to boat builders and crew agencies in the South of France. 

Getting to know Bristol Maritime Academy

Is everyone at the Bristol Maritime Academy from Bristol?

 

Although none of our core team is originally from Bristol, this vibrant city has stolen our hearts and we couldn’t imagine working anywhere else. Our co-founders never actually planned on setting up their own centre or even an office until they accidentally ended up in Bristol.

 

What makes you unique in Bristol? 

 

The Bristol Maritime Academy RYA Centre is based in Bristol’s Floating Harbour – 80 acres of non-tidal water amongst maritime history and a thriving cultural community, with direct access to the challenging tides of Avonmouth and the Bristol Channel. This makes The Bristol Maritime Academy the only RYA coastal training centre based in the Bristol Harbour, providing you with the perfect training location, whether you need inland, river or coastal courses.

 

Over the years we have also built clients and connections to various aspects of the industry and we are widely known and respected in both RYA Training, consultancy as well as our Water Safety expertise. We are creating the first marine academy for all based in Bristol, hoping to inspire people onto the water and possibly into a global industry. Giving people the chance to enjoy their leisure time or career on or around the water.

 

What kind of activities do you teach through The Bristol Maritime Academy? 

 

The most popular course we run is our RYA Powerboat Level Two course, which gives clients a license to drive any powerboat up to 10 meters in daylight conditions. This is the perfect training for those wishing to rent or buy a speedboat over the summer whilst on their holidays. Our RYA Powerboat Training goes from beginner to advanced and we specialise in Instructor training.

 

Our Shorebased training covers everything from navigation to marine radio (VHF / SRC) course all the way to sea survival and first aid. We run all these courses regularly and offer a winter night school option for some such as the RYA Day Skipper or Yachtmaster theory courses. 

 

Another exciting course we offer is our 5 week “Fast Track programme” to becoming a Watersports Instructor. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain skills and qualifications in the beautiful exotic Mar Menor, Spain which has been affectionately dubbed “one of sailing’s best kept secrets”. 

 

Do you have any special events or evenings? 

 

Starting on October 19th we will be running our Night School, for those who have full time jobs and wish to learn their Theory RYA Day Skipper or RYA Yachtmasters. This is taught over the course of 20 weeks, in 2 hour lessons on either a Tuesday or a Wednesday. We are now also ready to start taking bookings for the Fast track instructor training mentioned previously, which will see there first group fly to Spain in February.

 

What age groups and abilities come to The Bristol Maritime Academy? 

 

We welcome clients from all backgrounds and abilities on our courses, whether they be professionals or leisure enthusiast alike. There are some age restrictions on the RYA courses we offer, but for more information, simply give us a call.

 

What's your favourite place in Bristol?

 

For our Chief Instructor Lilly, any time she is out on the Bristol Harbour she is happy and for Chris, he loves visiting the M Shed and the brand new Wild Beer pub next to it. As for Sarah, any place that serves a good burger she will be happy (Three Brothers!). Finally Tim our MD loves the entire harbour and can be seen speed walking around it for some lunchtime exercise.

 

Where do you see The Bristol Maritime Academy in 5 years time?

 

Our aim is to become the south wests leading maritime academy. We want to introduce and inspire Bristolians to the marine industry and demonstrate to them how they can get on the water. In the next 5 years it would be great to see more young people have the opportunities we have had in the international and exciting marine industry. 

 

However Chris and Tim would ideally like to be retired, sitting on a beach with Pina Coladas whilst Lilly and Sarah run the show. We have exciting plans for many different areas of training such as marine engineering and working with the heritage and boat building work already done in Underfall Yard where we are based. However for now we want to ensure we keep doing a great job at delivering high quality training for all.

 

If you were Mayor of Bristol for a day which one thing would you change?

 

We would change the Harbour Master Uniforms to Pirate Fancy dress and then sack ourselves and get someone who knows what they are doing!

Getting to know Bristol Maritime Academy

Not only is this an amazing business but it is also somewhere that everyone can head too and learn exciting new skills!

 

For anymore information, including a list of jobs and activites, check out their website at bristolmaritime.co.uk. You can also connect with the team through Facebook.  


Article by:

Matt Dailly

Matt, originally from Belfast, has only lived in Bristol for a year now and is studying Media & Journalism at UWE. He wants to concentrate his writing and media skills in Bristol's culinary culture, delving into what fine feasts the city has to offer and where the best places to go for food really are. Along with an aspiration to interview some of the influential people shaping Bristol and some who are simply passing through, Matt really is trying to make Bristol his new home! For any other info check out his Facebook or Twitter