Chieftain Training

RYA & STCW Courses – Sail, Power, Super-Yacht & Workboat

RYA & STCW Training Courses – Home

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RYA MCA Sea Survival Liferaft Training

STCW & RYA Courses – Hamble, Helensburgh & Southampton (SWAC)

Chieftain Training – RYA & STCW Maritime Training Centre

At Chieftain Training, we go beyond certificates.

Whether you’re starting your journey on the water, building confidence, or progressing towards commercial qualifications, our expert instructors deliver hands-on, real-world training tailored to your goals.

We operate from three key centres: Hamble (HQ), Helensburgh (Scotland), and the Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC) — offering a comprehensive range of RYA, STCW, MCA, HSE and CIEH courses for:

  • Sailors & powerboaters
  • Superyacht crew
  • Workboat skippers
  • Commercial seafarers
  • Ocean rowers & offshore racers
  • Divers & paddlers

Despite our scale, we remain a family-run organisation, known for high standards, personal service, and industry-leading training.

Train at SWAC – Southampton’s Watersports Centre

The Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC) is our flagship on-the-water training base.

We deliver the full range of RYA practical courses across:

From Powerboat Level 2 through to Yachtmaster Offshore (Power), SWAC is also well known for its RYA Instructor training programmes.

New for 2026, we are expanding into paddle sports, offering:

Courses range from beginner sessions through to instructor-level training.

Hamble – Our Shorebased & Professional Training Hub

Our Hamble centre is the headquarters of Chieftain Training and a leading UK provider of shorebased and commercial maritime training.

Courses include:

This is also where we deliver specialist courses for professional mariners and those progressing through MCA certification pathways.

Scotland – GMDSS Specialist Centre

Our Helensburgh centre focuses on:

Supporting both UK and international candidates preparing for commercial radio qualifications.

Deck Officer & Commercial Qualifications

Chieftain Training delivers structured pathways towards MCA Certificates of Competence, including:

Our courses are widely used by superyacht crew, workboat operators, and merchant navy candidates preparing for exams and sea-going careers.

We also offer MCA Boatmaster Licence (BML) preparation courses for inland and near-coastal passenger vessel operations.

Offshore Safety & Survival Training

We are one of the busiest providers of survival training in the region, delivering:

World Sailing courses are essential for offshore racing and commercial operations, including events such as:

  • Fastnet Race
  • Middle Sea Race
  • Transatlantic & Round the World races

Why Choose Chieftain Training?

  • Small group sizes for maximum hands-on time
  • Experienced, industry-qualified instructors
  • Modern equipment and real-world scenarios
  • Clear pathways from beginner to professional
  • Trusted by both leisure users and commercial operators

You won’t just pass a course — you’ll leave ready.

Schools, Colleges & Group Training

SWAC has over 40 years of experience delivering watersports to:

We offer structured, safe, and engaging sessions across sailing, powerboating, and paddle sports.

Launching May 2026:
Our SWAC Sailability Programme — a weekly accessible sailing session open to all.

Itchen River Moorings

We also offer a limited number of small craft moorings on the River Itchen via Southampton Boat Club at Mariners Wharf.

Book Your Course Today

All courses can be booked online, and our team is always happy to help you choose the right training.

📧 Email, call, or message us for advice
🌐 Browse courses via the menu above

Chieftain Training — Professional maritime training, delivered properly.