Royal Yacht Squadron Isle of Wight Foundation
Celebrates 10 Years of Changing Young Lives

A unique local charity is celebrating a milestone year. The Royal Yacht Squadron Isle of Wight Foundation marks its 10th anniversary in 2025, having supported around 300 young islanders into training, education, and employment, particularly in the Island’s proud marine and maritime industries. Since its inception, it has awarded over half a million pounds in grants supporting jobs ranging from marine engineering to superyacht crew positions, entirely funded by RYS Members.

Founded in 2015 to honour the bicentenary of the Royal Yacht Squadron, the Foundation was set up with a single aim: to give back to the Isle of Wight community by empowering local youth with the skills and confidence to succeed.

“The Foundation was created to serve the community that has supported the Squadron for generations,” said Carron Snagge OBE DL, Chairman of the Foundation. “We knew there were many talented young people on the Island who simply needed a helping hand to realise their potential, and ten years on, we’ve seen what that support can achieve.”

Working with schools, colleges, local authorities, training providers, and employers, the Foundation offers funding, usually between £250 and £3,000, and occasionally more, to support young people aged 15 to 29. This funding helps cover training costs, apprenticeships, equipment, travel, and essential qualifications, breaking down the financial barriers that often prevent island youth from progressing.

Real Stories, Real Change

Josh was just 16 when he began a marine engineering apprenticeship at Wight Shipyard. With Foundation support for tools and equipment, he progressed rapidly. Now Refit Manager, he oversees all external projects and has played a part in the company's significant growth, from 40 to over 130 staff, and in mentoring over 20 apprentices. The Foundation has now equipped a computer room at Wight Shipyard so that apprentices can do coursework on site.

Lloyd transitioned from kitchen work to an electronics apprenticeship at Land Rover BAR, with the Foundation covering essential travel expenses. He is now a Senior Electrical Technician and worked on his third America’s Cup campaign last year with INEOS Britannia.

Amy transitioned from zero-hours work at a children's play area to professional sailing, thanks to Foundation support for her Yachtmaster Offshore training and then her Yachtmaster Ocean. She has since served as a Mate on the 72ft ketch Faramir and now works with the Tall Ships Youth Trust and is leading a youth team challenge for the 2025 Fastnet Race. Her goal is to skipper a yacht in the next Clipper Round the World Race.

Christian, already in the Merchant Navy, needed further certification to progress. The Foundation funded his training, enabling him to become a Captain on Wightlink’s Fast Cat. His long-term ambition is to become a specialist pilot guiding tankers through the approaches to Southampton, boarding at the NAB Tower.

Max left school early and used Foundation support to complete his UKSA Yachtmaster training. He now works aboard a 65m superyacht, travelling internationally and advancing his career in the global yachting sector.

Sophie, inspired by volunteering on a Mediterranean NGO rescue ship, used her Foundation grant to gain STCW certification and marine engineering training. She continues to work in humanitarian marine operations and is now training others in the field.

A Decade of Impact, A Future of Opportunity

As the Foundation looks ahead to its second decade, the mission remains clear: to continue investing in young people and strengthening the island’s future by building skills, confidence, and connections.

Local media, schools, and employers are invited to share in the celebrations and help spread the word about this unique island initiative. The Foundation welcomes conversations with anyone interested in learning more, partnering, or sharing success stories of those whose lives have been changed through this work.

Carla Richardson of Richardson’s Yacht Services said, “We have collaborated with the RYS Foundation for many years and have consistently found them to be genuinely inclusive, providing support to individuals pursuing careers in the marine industry, regardless of their background. They have an approachable nature to assist wherever needed and have made a significant impact. We believe it has played a key role in making the RYS more approachable to those who might not have considered it before the Foundation was set up.”

James Stevens, Chairman of the Grants Panel, said, “The Foundation Grants Panel speaks to every applicant to discuss the possibilities of a maritime career and to allocate funding for course fees, travel, and equipment. For young people, this funding can be a lifeline giving them a way out of unemployment or a disruptive home life into a useful and well-paid career. Many of them keep in touch and tell us how they are progressing in jobs such as yacht and powerboat skippers, marine electricians, boat builders, ferry captains, harbour staff or working in shipyards. The Foundation can change lives.”

The RYS Foundation’s mission is to promote opportunities in the marine industry for young people living on the Isle of Wight.

Marine Engineer

Are you interested in marine engineering: designing, building, testing and repairing boats, ships, underwater, craft, offshore platform and drilling equipment?

Superyacht Crew

You could train to be an engineer, skipper, mate, steward, chef, dive master, bosun or deck-hand.

Royal Navy

Does a career in the Royal Navy appeal to you?