One of the UK's leading MCA-approved maritime academies, delivering deck officer, engineering, STCW, superyacht and medical training on the River Hamble in Hampshire.
Book direct →Warsash Maritime School is part of Solent University and sits on the eastern bank of the River Hamble at Warsash, Hampshire. It is one of the UK's oldest and most respected maritime training centres, with a curriculum spanning the full career arc — from entry-level STCW safety certificates through to Master (Unlimited) and Chief Engineer preparation under the MCA's modernised seafarer certification framework.
The school holds MCA approval alongside accreditations from MNTB, OPITO, SIGTTO, SQA and RYA, reflecting the breadth of its offer: merchant navy deck and engineering officer programmes, STCW safety and security short courses, GMDSS/VHF SRC, leadership and management (HELM), and a dedicated Warsash Superyacht Academy for Yachtmaster, OOW (Yacht) and Master (200/500/3000gt) certifications. Medical training including ENG1 examination, Medical First Aid and Medical Care is also available.
Delivery formats range from intensive in-person blocks and day-release programmes to six-week online study for management-level engineering knowledge, making the school accessible to seafarers who cannot commit to full-time residential training. The school operates fully under the MCA's modernised syllabus and IAMI examination routes.
Leads to the Officer of the Watch (II/1) Certificate of Competency through the experienced-seafarer route: an HNC in Nautical Science aligned to the MCA's modernised syllabus, plus HELM (O), Signals, ECDIS, NAEST (O) and Efficient Deck Hand. MCA competency assessment preparation included.
Book on Warsash →Prepares OOW Unlimited certificate holders who completed a UK deck officer cadetship for Chief Mate (Unlimited) and Master (<3000gt) certification under the modernised seafarer syllabus. Includes preparation for the IAMI digital examination, MCA orals and NAEST (M).
Book on Warsash →Progression from OOW (II/1) to Chief Mate (Unlimited) and Master (<3000gt) through an HND in Nautical Science aligned to the MCA's modernised syllabus. Includes MCA competency assessment and oral examination preparation, NAEST (M) and HELM (M). For experienced seafarers on the modernised route.
Book on Warsash →Four-week in-person course of tuition and guided study preparing candidates for the MCA oral exam to achieve Master (Unlimited) certification. Entry requires 36 months' watchkeeping service as OOW Unlimited, and a Notice of Eligibility from the MCA must be obtained before booking.
Book on Warsash →Experienced-seafarer route (MSN 1857) to the EOOW (III/1) Certificate of Competency for ratings with merchant ship experience. Includes mandatory MCA-approved workshop skills training and support for the General Engineering Science A and B and Engineering Knowledge examinations.
Book on Warsash →Route to STCW III/1 EOOW certification for engineering graduates, HND/HNC holders or those with a suitable engineering apprenticeship (NVQ Level 3 or above). Covers MNTB workshop skills, STCW short courses and tutorials before IAMI written exams and MCA oral examination.
Book on Warsash →Six-week online course preparing EOOW certificate holders for the MCA Management Level Engineering Knowledge examinations on the path to Second/Chief Engineer, covering motor and general engineering knowledge, legislation, electrical knowledge, ship construction, boilers and control.
Book on Warsash →Four-week in-person exam-preparation course for EOOWs progressing to a management-level licence. Consolidates knowledge through group review of past exam questions and markers' feedback across motor engineering, electrical systems, ship construction, boilers and control systems.
Book on Warsash →Engineering certification pathway for yacht and superyacht engineers seeking MCA small vessel EOOW or Chief Engineer endorsement, delivered as part of the Warsash Superyacht Academy track alongside the deck-side superyacht programme.
Book on Warsash →The STCW Basic Safety Training Week covers Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities — the mandatory entry-level package for seafarers joining commercial vessels worldwide.
Book on Warsash →Advanced fire-fighting, advanced sea survival, medical advanced training, proficiency in crowd management and crisis management — plus refresher and update modules for revalidation of STCW certificates including PST, PSSR and EFA renewals.
Book on Warsash →Yachtmaster and Officer of the Watch (Yacht) certification pathway delivered through the Warsash Superyacht Academy. Suitable for crew moving from recreational to commercial endorsement or progressing their career within the superyacht industry.
Book on Warsash →Master certification at the 200, 500 and 3000gt levels via the Warsash Superyacht Academy, covering examination and competency assessment requirements under the MCA's superyacht officer framework — a popular route for captains in the large-yacht sector.
Book on Warsash →Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) operator courses alongside the VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) — required qualifications for officers and crew operating radio communications equipment on commercial and large recreational vessels.
Book on Warsash →Medical courses covering ENG1 seafarer medical examination, Medical First Aid (MFA) at the operational level, and Medical Care (MC) at the management level — fulfilling the STCW VI/4 requirements for officers required to take charge of medical care aboard.
Book on Warsash →Ancillary engineering certificates including the Approved Engine Course (AEC), Motor Engineering Operations Level (MEOL) and yacht engineering (Y-ticket) endorsements — short courses supporting ratings and junior engineers in commercial ship and superyacht engine rooms.
Book on Warsash →Human Element, Leadership and Management at the Operational Level (HELM-O) — addressing the STCW 2010 resource-management requirements for deck and engineering officers working as part of watchkeeping teams. Part of Warsash's leadership and management short-course portfolio.
Book on Warsash →Human Element, Leadership and Management at the Management Level (HELM-M) — designed for senior officers managing teams of deck or engineering officers. Addresses the STCW 2010 requirements for resource management at the management level within the officer hierarchy.
Book on Warsash →Prices and dates are indicative — confirm directly with Warsash Maritime School — Solent University before booking.
Highly rated 4-star boutique B&B at 86 Newtown Road offering self-catering studio apartments and a private lodge with hot tub, garden, free parking and WiFi — ranked #1 of 3 B&Bs in Warsash on Tripadvisor with 195 reviews.
View options →Waterfront guest accommodation in Warsash with garden and sea views, offering en-suite rooms with private entrance, free parking and WiFi, 16 km from Ageas Bowl and close to the River Hamble shoreline.
View options →Quiet, well-reviewed adult touring and caravan park in Warsash village with electric hook-ups, heated facilities, laundry and free WiFi, a short walk from the River Hamble — open all year and ranked #2 of speciality lodging in Warsash.
View options →Southampton Airport (SOU) is approximately 10 miles north of Warsash. A taxi from the airport takes approximately 20–30 minutes depending on traffic; there is no direct public transport link — the public route requires a train to Southampton Central then a bus, taking approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Taxi transfer firms including Aero Taxis Southampton serve the Warsash area; obtain a quote directly as fares vary.
Swanwick station (South Western Railway) is approximately 4 miles from Warsash; Fareham station is approximately 6 miles away and offers more frequent services on South Western Railway and Southern. Neither station has a direct bus connection to Warsash — a taxi from Swanwick or Fareham is the recommended onward option, taking approximately 10–15 minutes.
The Hamble Ferry runs on demand from Warsash Ferry Hard, Shore Road, between Warsash on the east bank and Hamble-le-Rice on the west bank of the River Hamble. The service carries up to 12 passengers plus bikes and dogs, operated by the independent Hamble Ferry.
Hamble Ferry →Warsash is reached via the A27 (Fareham–Southampton corridor), turning south onto the B3051 through Sarisbury Green and Locks Heath. From the M27 motorway take Junction 9 towards Fareham and follow signs south to Warsash. The village sits at the end of Shore Road on the River Hamble. Free private parking is available at most accommodation in the village; on-street parking near the waterfront is limited.
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