I attended the RYA First Aid course yesterday. The facilities are very good with plenty of parking. Our trainer (Alan) was very experienced with plenty of real life examples to enhance the material.... See more
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Review summary
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What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
Hi Chieftain Team, A really big thank you for an excellent Powerboat Level 1 course for my two children and my wife, despite the shocking weather (raining all day) they had a fantastic tim... See more
Company replied
The course instructor was excellent, there was a real balance of the practical time on the water, which was well supported, and the time in the classroom learning the theory. I was also very impressed... See more
Company replied
I did the RYA Sea Survival and then the second day as well. The pool session is tough but rewarding and worthwhile - if nothing else it teaches you that you never want to be in a liferaft. Great instr... See more
Company details
Written by the company
STCW & RYA Marine Training Centre based in Hamble, Southampton, Greenwich and Helensburgh. The company delivers a wide range of Sea Survival, First Aid, GMDSS, engineering, navigation, maritime security and powerboat courses for super-yacht, workboat and leisure boating crew and masters. Sailing and powerboat students will find we offer the widest range of shorebased, marine radio, yacht maintenance, engineering, first aid at sea and navigation courses of any RYA Training Centre. The centres are equipped with first class resources and training aids for GMDSS, marine engineering and survival training.
Contact info
Chieftain Training, 26 Compass House, Ensign Way, Hamble, SO31 4RA, Southampton, United Kingdom
- 02382 000525
- info@chieftain.training
- chieftain.training
4.9
Excellent
403 reviews
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Hasn’t replied to negative reviews
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Great course
Great course! Learnt loads, very happy with the experience. Would definitely recommend:)
September 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Great to have you with us at SWAC for your Powerboat Level 2 Direct Assessment, we hope to see you again soon!
Powerboat Level 2 Training
Enjoyed learning how to control, navigate and manovour on a RIB and a Jaffa.
Also learnt how to control the RIB in narrow distances with marinas
Was taught by Alp - James
September 15, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
We are glad you enjoyed your Powerboat Level 2 with Alp, and have learnt lots of new skills!
Brilliant and what you get stuck on the…
Brilliant and what you get stuck on the instructor was on hand to help through until you got it 👍
September 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Thanks for the review Roy, it was nice to see you again! Glad you enjoyed
The course was well organized
The course was well organized, and my instructor addressed all the topics in a very clear and simple way. I recommend this experience to anyone who wants to learn the basics of sailing in the Solent.
September 9, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Hi Davide, thank you for your lovely feedback! We enjoyed having you at both Hamble and SWAC for your Dayskipper theory and practical. Congratulations and we hope to see you again soon!
My son has learnt so much
My son has learnt so much, and had an amazing time at Southampton Water Activity Centre (SWAC) this summer. The Stage 1 Sailing course has improved his confidence, not just with his sailing ability but with all water based activities. The instructors are fantastic. They have taught him about different boats, techniques, skills as well as inspiring him to want to experience and learn more. My son is already planning his next course, he was very taken by the catamarans.
August 28, 2026
Unprompted review
Fantastic training
Fantastic training. Carl, our instructor on the 12V course was exceptional. He is an excellent teacher and clearly really enjoys explaining the course content to the students. We all had a very useful and enjoyable learning experience.
August 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Thank you very much for the lovely review.
We’re delighted to hear that you found the 12V course both useful and enjoyable. Carl is a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructor, and we’ll make sure your kind comments are passed on to him.
Thanks again for choosing Chieftain Training, and we hope to see you on another course in the future.
An exceptional experience
Extremely competent, personable and talented instructor (Ellie) who intuitively understands best practice with coaching and is a natural in all matters maritime. Thoroughly enjoyable and professionally delivered course.
September 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Thank you for such a fantastic review.
We’re delighted to hear how much you enjoyed the course and particularly your kind comments about Ellie. She brings a huge amount of enthusiasm, maritime knowledge and coaching skill to her teaching, and we’ll make sure your feedback is passed on to her.
Thank you again for training with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Chieftain Training again in the future.
A James was fantastic
Alp James was fantastic, tailored the course for the audience. Plenty of information given. Just brilliant! Wouldn’t hesitate to book again! Thank you for your time!
September 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Thanks Dan , we are glad you enjoyed your Powerboat level 2 Course. Powerboat Intermediate next....
Excellent course
The course instructor was excellent, there was a real balance of the practical time on the water, which was well supported, and the time in the classroom learning the theory. I was also very impressed at how well the instructor judged when it was good to allow me to make my own mistakes and when he should correct me in advance. Thoroughly enjoyed the course and learnt a lot.
September 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Thanks Juno and well done. We are glad you enjoyed the Dinghy Level 2 course and look forward to seeing you back again.
Absolutely not recommended
September 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Simplified difficult concepts
Simplified difficult concepts, made it fun. Took away anxiety, boat stuff is now not as daunting.
August 28, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Thank you for the great review.
One of the main aims of our Yacht Maintenance course is to take subjects that can initially seem complicated or intimidating and make them practical, understandable and enjoyable.
We’re really pleased to hear that you came away feeling more confident and that “boat stuff” now seems a little less daunting!
Thanks again for training with Chieftain Training.
Alan is a great instructor
Alan is a great instructor, very patient and knowledgeable. I really enjoyed the course
August 28, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Kelly, well done on your Powerboat Level 2 and thanks for the review.
I had an amazing instructor loved doing…
I had an amazing instructor loved doing my seamanship and dighny instructor course at swac.
August 25, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Thank you for the lovely review.
We’re really pleased to hear you enjoyed both your Seamanship and Dinghy Instructor courses at SWAC, and that your instructor made the experience such a positive one.
Congratulations on completing the courses, and we hope to see you back at Southampton Water Activity Centre again soon.
An excellent facility for training
An excellent facility for training on Southampton waters from beginners to experienced sailors and power-boaters.
Instructors and staff provided a friendly atmosphere to learn in, with all equipment being well maintained providing best value for money.
August 19, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
James, great result in passing your Advanced Certificate of Competence Exam- Well done
PST STCW course
Took the PST STCW course, John was a great instructor who made the course both educational and engaging! Good experience and overall quite fun!
August 15, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Glad you enjoyed it. Survival is one of our favourite courses.
Good course.
Good course.. relaxed learning environment. Instructor with great knowledge.
August 18, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Hi John, you all looked like you were having fun on the Advanced Powerboat Course
Yachtmaster offshore
Just arrived back in Ireland after completing prep and exam for Yachtmaster offshore.I would like to give a big thank you to Doug ,and especially our instructor Andrew for all their help in getting us through the prep week .
The training on the Solent and Southampton waters was excellent .
The Day and night exam we had 100% pass rate by all candiates. I can highly recomend this prep week at Chieftian training for anyone
thinking of taking their Yachtmaster nearshore or offshore exam .
August 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Congratulations on the Yachtmaster Offshore exam result, you deserved it. We know exams are daunting but we had no doubt you would pass
Reply from Chieftain Training
Thanks, hope we see you again.
I found the course very detailed
I found the course very detailed , it had a lot of theory content packed in.
The pool activities using actual life rafts gave us an opportunity to put into practice what it actually feels like to climb aboard. I learnt a lot from the course.
August 15, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
Glad you enjoyed the RYA sea Survival course. It is a fun and eye opening course.
Paddle board instruction with Kai.
Had a great paddle board beginners lesson with Kai. The entire lesson was full of practical safety advise, enabling me to make time sensitive decisions, I was given a good understanding of using the paddle more efficiently( not just to move! ) and instruction to take away and practice. An hour instruction for £25 with someone so competent.
I stood up and stayed up. Really thankful. Excellent
August 17, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Chieftain Training
You did well Michelle. We look forward to seeing you again
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