COVID-19 POLICY (updated 16 June 2021)
Classroom Training
The Willments Shipyard, Woolston (SO19, Southampton) Training Centre (STCW Ltd.) and Dumbarton Training Centre are both open and running regular courses. Social distancing is in place and all students are given a Rapid Antigen (Covid) test on the first morning of their course before entering the classrooms.
The Harcourt Rd, Bitterne (SO18, Southampton) Training Centre (Southampton Boat Club) is still closed to the public.
Some courses are available by Zoom webinars (i.e. Radar, Food Safety and First Aid Updates) and some by online delivery (see below)
New Face to Face Zoom Webinars
During the Covid-19 lockdown we successfully ran dozens of face to face Instructor led webinars on Zoom. Our Food Safety at Sea Course is available, as is the RYA Radar. These courses should not be confused with traditional online training as they are still face to face and you have the opportunity to ask questions etc. as you go along. This is the closest you will get to a classroom while maintaining social distancing and travel restrictions. If there is a course you would like us to run as a webinar, please just ask.
Classroom Course Bookings
If you or anyone in your household has Covid 19 symptoms we ask you not to attend your course with us. In this instance we will allow you to postpone to a new date (within 9 months). This varies our standard terms in your favour.
Classroom Course Safety
In order to reduce the risk of infection for our staff and students a number of changes have had to be made. In particular we have;
- Instigated Covid testing for all students on arrival at the centre*
- Reduced the student ratios considerably
- Removed many “touch points”
- Installed touch free hand sanitisers
- Increased the cleaning routine
- Purchased additional resources to eliminate sharing equipment
- Modified how we deliver courses
*Covid testing at the three Chieftain Training Centrse (Bitterne Park, Woolston and Dumbarton)s is included in your course fee. Covid Testing at the Fire Aid site is charged at £9.85/test.
Online Courses (E-Learning)
Many students have recently turned to our online E-Learning courses which are going strong. In an attempt to help disappointed students at a time when many have seen their income cut we have reduced the price of the entire online RYA E-Learning range. Click Discounted RYA E-Learning Courses for more info.
DOUG INNES (Principal)
Chieftain Training
Chieftain Training is based in Southampton and offers a range of RYA, HSE, MCA, STCW and CIEH safety and navigation training courses for sailors, powerboaters, super-yacht crew, ocean rowers, divers and seafarers.
RYA Royal Yachting Association Recognition
The Centre is fully recognised by the RYA to deliver all shorebased course, in Navigation, Sea Survival, Safety, First Aid, Radio communications and Engine Maintenance. We additionally offer some First Aid courses recognised by the HSE and training which leads to MCA certification. Our Food safety Course are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) We also run the World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival training for offshore yacht race crews.
E-Learning & Online Training
Many of the courses we offer can be taken online or in the classroom. Our E-Learning courses include RYA Essential Navigation, RYA Day Skipper Shorebased , RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased, RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased, Master 200, RYA PPR, RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC) and RYA Safe & Fun Safeguarding
Shorebased Training Courses, Southampton
Training takes place either at one of our classrooms or we can come to your office or workplace. Our courses range from short one-day training courses to longer eight-day courses. Each course is designed to help you develop skills in specific areas such as VHF Marine Radio, engine maintenance, First Aid, navigation and sea survival. These courses allow you to focus on learning and developing skills while ashore, without the distractions of flapping sails or noisy engines. Many of our students are working towards RYA Yachtmaster Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, while others are embarking on MCA STCW Training for Basic Safety, Deck crew positions or to become an Officer or Master 200, 500 or 3000
Survival Courses
Our most popular survival course is the RYA Sea Survival, alongside the World Sailing Offshore Survival and World Sailing one-day Offshore Refresher. Super-yacht crew require STCW certification instead which is covered by STCW Personal Survival Techniques and STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats.
RYA & MCA Navigation Courses
These classroom (or online) courses include RYA Essential Navigation, RYA Day Skipper shorebased , RYA Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased, RYA Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased, Master 200, and RYA Radar.
Safety Courses
Aspiring RYA Yachtmaster and Advanced Powerboat Skippers require RYA PPR, while seafarers and super yacht crew require STCW Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR). Meanwhile new dinghy and windsurf Instructors and many of those working with children require the RYA Safe & Fun Course.
Marine Radio Training
Anyone using marine VHF is required to be licensed. The course requires some pre reading and is one day (or online) and know as the RYA SRC (Short Range Certificate).
First Aid Training Courses
Our most popular First Aid courses are the one day RYA First Aid and the two day (16 hour) Outdoor Remote Emergency First Aid Course. We also offer the one-day HSE Emergency First Aid and 3-day HSE First Aid at Work Courses. For seafarers and Superyacht crew there is the one-day STCW Elementary First Aid and the 4-day STCW Medical First Aid aboard Ship.
Engineering & Boat Maintenance Courses
The extensive range of diesel engines in our classroom guarantee a superb RYA Diesel Course, this is complimented by our home grown Outboard Engine Maintenance Course, Yacht Rigging and Splicing Course and our two, 12 Volt Marine Electrics Courses, Level 1 and Level 2.
STCW Training
STCW 2010 training courses are required for those working on super yachts (over 24m) and by most other seafarers, these courses are aimed at larger craft and not generally required in the UK abroad smaller craft (less than 24m).
The STCW Basic Safety Week is 5 days and is made up of 5 shorter courses, you can read full details of these and some of the more advanced STCW courses here
Book Your Training Today!
For more information on specific courses, please click on the menu links above. All of our courses can be booked online.
