British Superyacht Member visits - Olesinski and UKSA
- British Superyacht
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
At British Superyacht, we are driven by our foundational promise: 'Stronger Together in Leading the Industry.' Aligning with our mission of bringing together the globally renowned quality and excellence of the superyacht industry around the British Isles, our CEO, Richard Selby, and British Superyacht Ambassador, Jonathan Turner, recently crossed the Solent for member visits on the historic Isle of Wight.
The island has long been a global epicentre for maritime innovation, design, and education. This trip highlighted both the cutting-edge engineering shaping tomorrow’s vessels and the essential training preparing the next generation of crew.
Shaping the Future of Design: A Visit to Olesinski
The first stop of the tour was the renowned design house Olesinski, based in the sailing hub of Cowes. Richard and Jonathan were welcomed by Bill Edwards, Head of R&D, and Mike Hassan-Green, Deputy Head of Naval Architecture.
The visit provided a fascinating look at how the studio integrates state-of-the-art technology—such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and advanced structural analysis—with elegant, efficient hull design.
A Legacy of British Naval Architecture
Founded in 1973 by Bernard Olesinski, the studio has been at the absolute forefront of British naval design for over fifty years. What began as one man's vision has steadily grown into a world-class, multi-disciplinary team of designers, naval architects, and structural engineers.
Olesinski initially made waves in the industry by partnering with iconic British shipyards Princess and Fairline, heavily influencing their evolution. Since the turn of the millennium, the studio has expanded its horizons into semi-custom and custom superyachts over 20 metres. Landmark achievements, including the award-winning Princess 40M and the remarkable exterior redesign of Feadship’s Falcon Lair, cement their position as true industry pioneers. Today, under the leadership of Bernard's son, Justin Olesinski, the studio continues to push boundaries, particularly in hull optimisation and sustainable technology.
Empowering Tomorrow's Crew: UKSA
The delegation then visited the United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA), a vital charity and training provider situated on a 4-acre waterfront campus in West Cowes. The meeting with, CEO Catherine Dixon and COO and British Superyacht Ambassador, Chris Frisby explored current and future training courses for superyacht crew members.
For nearly forty years, UKSA has been transforming lives by delivering world-class, all-inclusive maritime education and career-enhancing training. During the visit, Richard and Jonathan saw first-hand how the academy prepares students from all over the globe to enter the superyacht industry with confidence.
UKSA runs a wide variety of professional pathways, including:
Superyacht Cadetships:Â A comprehensive four-year pathway designed to train the future officers of the industry.
Deckhand & Stewardess Training: Rapid, intensive courses covering everything from basic vessel maintenance to high-end hospitality and sea survival.
Engineering & Leadership:Â Specialist MCA and RYA-approved courses designed to address critical industry skills gaps.
By removing financial and social barriers, UKSA ensures that a career on the water is accessible to everyone.
Moving Forward, Together
Visits like these reinforce why the British superyacht sector remains a dominant force on the global stage. From the drawing boards of Olesinski to the training facilities of UKSA, our members are setting the standard for quality, safety, and innovation.
We look forward to sharing more updates from our member network soon.
