Bristol Maritime Academy (Bristol Harbour) - Bristol

Bristol Maritime Academy: A Comprehensive Guide

Nestled in the heart of Bristol, the Bristol Maritime Academy is a renowned training center and provider, situated at the historic Underfall Yard on Cumberland Rd. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for maritime education, the academy offers a wide array of courses designed to equip its students with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields.

Main Services

• Maritime Training: The academy specializes in various maritime courses, including STCW, MCA, and IMO training, ensuring that students are well-versed with the latest industry standards and regulations.
• Safety Courses: Bristol Maritime Academy offers a range of safety courses, such as First Aid, Fire Fighting, and Survival Techniques, focusing on the critical aspects of maritime safety and emergency response.
• Specialist Courses: The academy provides specialist courses like Bridge Watchkeeping, GMDSS, and ECDIS, catering to the specific needs of bridge officers and maritime professionals.
• Online Learning: In response to the evolving needs of learners, the academy now offers online classes, providing flexibility and convenience for those unable to attend on-site courses.
• On-Site Services: The academy boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a full-scale ship's bridge simulator, a fire training ground, and a 24-meter vessel for practical exercises, ensuring that students receive hands-on, realistic training.

Location and Access

The academy's location at Underfall Yard places it at the heart of Bristol's bustling harbor, providing students with a unique learning environment that reflects the city's rich maritime history. The area is well-connected by public transport, with numerous bus routes serving the nearby Bristol Temple Meads train station. Additionally, the M32 motorway is just a short drive away, offering easy access by car.

For those traveling by boat, the academy is conveniently located near the Bristol Docks, with nearby mooring facilities available for visiting vessels. Parking is available on-site, with additional spaces found in nearby car parks, such as the Temple Meads NCP.

Featured Characteristics

• Experienced Instructors: The academy prides itself on its team of highly qualified and experienced instructors, who bring a wealth of industry knowledge and real-world experience to their teaching.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Bristol Maritime Academy boasts modern, well-equipped training facilities, ensuring that students have access to the latest learning resources and technology.
• Flexible Learning Options: The academy offers a range of course formats, including day release, block release, and e-learning, catering to the diverse needs and schedules of its students.
• Industry Connections: With strong ties to the maritime industry, the academy works closely with employers to ensure that its courses meet the demands of the sector and provide students with valuable networking opportunities.

Practical Information

The academy's address is Address: Underfall Yard, Cumberland Rd, Bristol BS1 6XG, United Kingdom. You can reach them by phone at 1179291153, or visit their website at bristolmaritime.co.uk for more information.

Positive Aspects from Customer Reviews

Bristol Maritime Academy boasts an impressive 5/5 average rating on Google My Business, with 185 reviews highlighting the academy's strengths. Some of the positive aspects mentioned by customers include:

• High-Quality Training: Many students praised the academy for its comprehensive, high-quality training, with one reviewer noting that the "RLSS DEFRA Module 1 with Annex H course was useful and well-delivered."
• Experienced Instructors: The dedication and knowledge of the academy's instructors were frequently praised, with one student commenting that the "Outdoor First Aid course was incredibly thorough, and Katherine was exceptionally knowledgeable."
• Flexible Learning Options: Several reviewers appreciated the academy's flexible learning options, with one student highlighting the convenience of the online classes.
• Realistic Training Environment: The academy's on-site facilities were praised for providing a realistic and engaging learning environment, with one student noting that the "practical exercises on the 24-meter vessel were invaluable."
• Industry-Relevant Curriculum: Many reviewers praised the academy for its industry-relevant curriculum, with one student commenting that the "STCW courses were essential for my career progression."

👍 Reviews of Bristol Maritime Academy (Bristol Harbour)

Ryan S.

5/5

RLSS DEFRA Module 1 with Annex H - Useful course with great delivery from Bristol Maritime Academy. Lots of content to cover in one day but the trainers kept everything relevant and made sure all candidates were confident at each stage.
There equipment and PPE was high quality and the training site at Frome worked really well.

Emma W.

5/5

I booked an Outdoor First Aid course here, and it was by far the best course I’ve ever attended. It was incredibly thorough, and Katherine was exceptionally knowledgeable. I’ll definitely be back in three years!

Amber A.

5/5

I completed the Level 2 powerboat course which I would highly recommend! It was great fun and Harry was a brilliant instructor. He was very patient and he was very clear with his instructions. He made the whole course interesting from the inside classroom work to the outside skills on the boat. We got to experience going through a lock, going down the river and going out to sea. We learnt skills in the classroom such as chart plotting, knots, buoy colours and loads more. On the boat we learnt how to park, manoeuvre in tight areas, planing, man over board, handling and more. It was definitely worth it and I had an excellent experience! Thank you!

connor H.

5/5

I recently completed the Power Boat Level 2 course and had an amazing experience. Cat, our instructor, was not only a brilliant teacher but also made the learning process enjoyable and interesting. The course covered everything from map reading, course plotting, and knot tying in the classroom to practical skills like parking, man overboard rescue in the Bristol Channel, and tight u-turns between moored boats.

The entire experience, including going through the lock, driving under the suspension bridge, and navigating the channel, was a lot of fun. The course was thorough and delivered in a professional manner. I highly recommend it to anyone interested – it was absolutely worth every penny.

Simon J.

5/5

I attended the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course at Portishead Marina 6/7 May 2025. The facilities are excellent, everything at hand right by the marina. The boat was in very good condition and we were provided with all necessary equipment. Nigel, our instructor, was a very patient and knowledgeable gentleman who presented the subject in a straightforward way and took plenty of questions. Plenty of practical experience and time at the helm. I learnt a great deal, having little practical experience of the subject before arrival and found the course invaluable. Highly recommended.

Louise B.

5/5

Have just completed the level 2 powerboat with Malcolm and it was awesome, he was such a great instructor who made sure we covered all the content but also enabled we came away with what we needed based on our specific needs. It was awesome and we had a super weekend. Thanks so much Malcolm and Bristol Maritime Academy.

Samantha W.

5/5

Great set up here in the heart of Bristol.
I managed to park right at the harbour office for free so that's great.
Lucky for our small group of 3 we had great weather on both days.
Jordan, our instructor was very calm and relaxing to be with and did not hesitate to go over each thing if you didn't get it right first time. An asset to the business!
The boats were clean and well maintained and all the correct gear provided for us.
I did my power boat level 2 and will get my ICC from this as well.
Highly recommended

Jonathan W.

5/5

Recently did my Powerboat Part 2 ticket with these guys. Great set up and instructor was very good. Knowledgeable and came across very well. Thoroughly enjoyed myself.