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University launches world’s first superyacht academy


Warsash Superyacht Academy is the latest venture from the world-famous Warsash Maritime Academy. In the third of a series of profiles, Sue Hughes spoke to overall Academy director Andrew Hair about the increasingly lucrative superyacht industry


Warsash Maritime Academy, the 17-acre waterside campus of Southampton Solent University’s Maritime and Technology (MarTec) Faculty, is the location for the Warsash Superyacht Academy (WSA), the world’s first superyacht academy to fully cater for the rise in multi-million-pound luxury vessels, which was recently launched at the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show.


Having provided first-class training, consultancy and research to the international shipping and offshore oil industries for nearly 70 years, the Academy has continuously evolved in an era when commercial shipping and the leisure maritime sector – from container and cruise ships to superyachts – requires crew trained to operate the latest technology to the highest standard.


Commercially facing, WSA is a pioneering initiative in collaboration with other dynamic and innovative superyacht organisations, which grew from an idea first mooted by Academy director Andrew Hair three years ago. Having worked in the maritime industry for over 35 years, both at sea and ashore, he understood that the demand for exceptional staff and complementary business support services not only existed, but was also growing.


“The provision for superyacht training existed as a relatively small but increasing part of what we do. I realised there was potential to expand it further so we set up a collaborative venture with partners who are industry leaders in the UK and overseas. It’s no longer a career you just step into if you are fortunate to be on a dockside at the right time,“ he says.


The number of superyachts grew by 77% between 2001-10. Experts predict further steady expansion as countries such as Russia, China and India fuel growth, new yacht builds and opportunities in recruitment, crewing and yacht


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worldwide shortfall in certificated officers and insufficient quality provision throughout the industry. Nowhere else in the world is providing such a comprehensive range of training at this elite level.“


Part of an excellent higher education facility with its links and resources, significant investment at the Academy during the past three years has included brand new engine room simulation suites, the purchase and development of a 20-acre ship handling centre at Timsbury, two new dedicated electronic chart display and information system suites, the expansion of engineering workshops and redevelopment of fire school facilities, and development of an e-learning platform.


Warsash Superyacht Academy director, Andrew Hair (right), with Matthew Jaenicke, director of operations at Viking Recruitment


management. More than 6,000 companies currently operate in the sector and jobs created are worth €5.99 billion annually.


The timing for the launch was spot on. With captains commanding as much as £150,000 a year, there are highly attractive careers for a wide range of staff within the superyacht sector. Roman Abramovich’s 557ft superyacht M/Y Eclipse is currently the largest in the world with 70 crew to look after its guests, while other superyachts are available for charter (at around $1 million a week).


“The career paths are quite diverse but our students will be fully supported in their professional advancement with guidance on careers and progression, premium quality courses, state- of-the-art training facilities and the full backing of a university organisation,“ Hair explains.


“Clients, meanwhile, benefit from one-stop access to outstanding training and the development of their most important asset – their personnel – along with first-class business services from an excellent professional network.


“Our industry review highlighted a need for effective student support and detailed careers/progression guidance, plus an opportunity for


greater commercial engagement in the provision of business services – onboard training, recruitment and crewing, yacht management, yacht surveys, audits and registration, consultancy, specialist and travel services.


“We’re very good at going out and winning new business and additional opportunities will certainly arise from the WSA network. Our commercial partners include major players in this elite sector: Burgess, wilsonhalligan, Interior Yacht Services, Viking Recruitment, Southampton Solent University and YachtsXL.“


WSA also provides a range of bespoke services such as review of standard operating procedures for the navigation, engineering and interior departments, evaluation of team performance, enhancement of interior services, customised simulation and online video production


“Students will be able to undertake maritime education and training programmes especially targeted at superyacht officers and crew, resulting in gaining a competitive edge in this increasingly inviting sector.


“The response to our launch was tremendous. There is a


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – NOVEMBER 2012


WSA will draw upon its maritime expertise and heritage in offering entry-level training to all crew, progression training and certification for officers and captains, and accessible training for careers and personal development up to Masters degree level, such as BSc(Hons) Yacht and Powercraft Design and MSc Shipping Operations. Short course provision, when audited by OFSTED in 2011, was found to be Grade 1 (Outstanding).


Warsash’s reputation is known throughout the world but its profile is growing through a dedicated website and its mobile app, word of mouth, social media, an Antibes office and two forthcoming careers’ days, in January and June 2013.


Akin to miniature cruise ships, size matters on these floating palaces, which come replete with helipads, 3D cinemas, multi- sports’ platforms and watercraft larger than the average day boat. Defying descriptive superlatives, a job on one would be a consummate career choice.


Details: www.warsash superyachtacademy.com


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