UKSA (maritime charity)
| Founded | 1987 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Noel Lister |
| Type | Maritime Charity |
| Location |
|
Area served | United Kingdom |
Formerly called | UK Sailing Academy |
UKSA in Cowes (previously called UK Sailing Academy) is a youth charity offering professional maritime training opportunities, youth development programs and school/ group residential trips. The charity was founded in 1987 by MFI entrepreneur Noel Lister. He purchased a Sports Council building with the intention of giving young people the opportunity to experience maritime activities. Since then, UKSA has expanded, now owning multiple buildings which are used to provide a wide range of maritime related actives, professional training and asset in support their charitable works.
UKSA currently accepts over 8000 students a year of which 80% are under to age of 25 offering these students over 150 courses to choose from.
HRH The Princess Royal became Patron of UKSA in 1992. Dee Caffari (MBE), Helena Lucas (MBE), Sarah Ayton (OBE), and Shirley Robertson (OBE) are all Ambassadors for the charity.
Today UKSA's work is split into four main areas:
- Professional training courses for maritime employment.
- Non-standard education for schools and groups.
- Youth development and enrichment programmes
- Providing maritime courses for leisure application.