UKSA??? is this a good sailig academy?

Question

Im from the United States and I have recently decided to make a career change and become a merchant vessel engineer/captain. I know this will not happen overnight and that i need some serious formal training. Here in the states college tuition can be a bit expensive especially for maritime academys(25000 per year). I was just wondering if anyone could give me a heads-up on the yachting industy compared to the oil/merchant industry. Is the pay about the same. And most importantly, would you recommend UKSA's cadetship program for a beginner into this field? IF so, how do i contact them in order to register for their program

Answer 1

I sorry, I really not know much. I found you a link and they are having a Career Seminar on October 20th. I not sure you can make that date, but, you may be able to learn more on the web-site. Good Luck, this sounds like an exciting career move.

http://www.uksa.org/

Answer 2

Have worked in the yachting industry for nearly twelve years and every person that has come out off the UK SA Zero to Hero classes has been a waste of space. the course is a good idea but the idiots that come out are not the best.

   When ever a CV landed on the desk of some one that came from there alot of the time it was thrown away , Most yachts are not interested in them.

  

  If you are looking at going into Merchant Shipping then go to a proper school for merchant navy not one for people that want to work on yachts.

Answer 3

was told by a sailing school they havnt got a great reputation! Am thinking of the same, and think there are cheaper ways, they are expensive!Am told these intensive training courses are not much good either! sorry am negative, if you want advice from the uk, contact the mca, marine and coastguard agency, they will tell you what you need to do. If you want, email me and i will email you the information they sent me, they are very helpful, heres my email [e-mail].

Goodluck, cheers

Answer 4

I cannot add anything to the web site of UKSA. It is all there except what your prospects are as a professional sailor. That is much more difficult to assess as the openings are all over the world and at different levels. Only someone actually currently in the business could give you an insight there.

Good luck if you do go for it. I enjoyed my time as a skipper but it was a secondary part of my job.