Bristol Maritime Academy

Rain, sun, rain, rain, sun... despite the wacky weather great to see a fab group of candidates smashing their RYA Powerboat Level 2 course in Bristol Harbour yesterday.

You'd be surprised how many people complete their RYA Powerboat Level 2 and then don't quite know what to do next. The certificate gets filed away, seasons pass, and the vision of skippering a boat on holiday stays just out of reach. Equally, there are a number of people for whom the skippering bug bites big time but who are unsure of how to progress their powerboating journey. If either of those realities sounds familiar, we are here to help!

Over the next few weeks, we're taking a look at some of the best routes you can take after your PBL2. We'll cover the RYA Intermediate Powerboat, Day Skipper Shorebased Theory, and VHF SRC marine radio, which are all good options no matter whether you're simply looking to get more experience with boat handling or increase your knowledge of navigation techniques. Stay tuned over the coming weeks for a deep dive into each of these courses with our Head of Training, Sam Chisholm.

Last Sunday, we were proud to support the RNLI Open Day in Portishead.

It was a fantastic opportunity to meet the crew, explore the lifeboats, and see firsthand the incredible work these volunteers do to keep everyone safe and ensure they all go home.

From live demonstrations to family-friendly activities, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Every visit, every donation, and every bit of support helps save lives at sea.

Thank you to bmsafety.pontoon for helping us out by lending us the wonderful pirates island. And to everyone who came along and showed their support.



RNLI Portishead
Bristol Maritime Academy

Yesterday was all about stepping out of the comfort zone and into real-life survival scenarios for our students on their RYA sea survival course.

From launching liferafts to getting in the water, this course is as hands-on as it gets.

The pool session definitely pushed people but that’s where the real learning happens.

Well done to everyone who took part yesterday.

These courses run monthly, our next date is the 20th May.

RYA SRC/ VHF Course Completed at our Bristol Centre Today!

A great day of learning and hands-on practice at today’s RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC) course. Participants covered essential VHF radio skills, from routine communication to distress procedures, gaining the confidence to operate safely at sea.

Highlights included:
• Understanding DSC (Digital Selective Calling)
• Practising real-life radio scenarios
• Learning emergency protocols and Mayday calls
• Getting to grips with radio etiquette and regulations

Well done to everyone who took part.

Interested in joining the next course?

Upcoming dates:
2nd May 2026
5th May 2026
19th May 2026

PSA 📣 We’ve got spaces left on our RYA First Aid course this coming Monday, the 20th of April.

This is a 1-day course catering to anyone working in or around water. The course covers key areas including drowning, cold water shock, sea sickness, dehydration and hypothermia as well as other first aid essentials.

If you’re someone who’s been thinking, ‘I really should get around to it…’ this is your sign to book now. It could save a life.

Click the link in our bio to book.

What an honour to host the RYA’s New Horizons showcase event at Bristol Maritime yesterday.
 
Hands down, the highlight was witnessing the joy on the faces of the cohort from Young Bristol as they received their qualifications. Each candidate has completed a commercially endorsed Powerboat Level 2 certification, including first aid, sea survival and marine radio, giving them the industry-recognised skills to build careers in the marine industry.
 
For many of them, this programme was the first time they had ever been on a boat, let alone considered working on the water. The New Horizon’s programme — delivered in partnership with the RYA and Young Bristol — is proof that with the right support, that can change.
 
Bristol Maritime is proud to have provided the training and helped bring the right organisations together. But the real story belongs to the candidates themselves, and to everyone who made this programme possible. If you’d like to support future programmes like this — whether as an employer, partner or funder — please get in touch.