OMS is a small professional business based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

We specialise in high quality, friendly instruction.

Our staff are dedicated to providing the highest level of service available in the marine industry.

We offer MCA engineering training including AEC practical and MEOL / Y1-4 oral prep

Our RYA courses cover power, sail and theory at all levels from Competent Crew to Yachtmaster.

Francis Knight
Principal
Outreach Maritime Services Ltd.

Francis originally hails from the Bristol area and spent twenty years in the metals industry as a high level sales and marketing manager. Having sailed for pleasure since childhood, qualification as a Yachtmaster in 2000 led to a change of direction when Francis was offered the chance to teach sailing on the south coast. This led to Yachtmaster Instructor in 2002 before being appointed Head of Navigation at one of the largest sea schools in Britain where he was responsible for writing the core syllabus for the delivery of navigation theory to Yachtmaster level and beyond. Francis was subsequently appointed Chief Instructor responsible for 18 full time staff.

During his sailing career Francis has been a keen supporter of volunteer organisations who provide those who are disadvantaged for whatever reason with the opportunity to experience the thrill of sailing.

Outreach Maritime Services Ltd allows Francis to continue to achieve first-rate delivery of the RYA syllabi and to ensure a high quality of teaching both ashore and afloat.

The Royal Yachting Association has appointed Francis a Yachtmaster Examiner.

Mark Wibberley Ph.D.
Chief Instructor
Outreach Maritime Services Ltd.

After growing up in Derbyshire Mark's first career was in plant biology research and lecturing. This led him to Bristol where he first discovered a passion for sailing in dinghies. Qualifying as a sailing instructor followed and he was subsequently appointed Chief Instructor at Baltic Wharf Sailing School, Bristol in 1994. The transition away from science included working for Bristol Harbour Authority and Bristol Ferry Boat Company whilst teaching in dinghies and powerboats.

Mark took up yachting as a hobby before becoming a commercially endorsed Coastal Skipper in 1999 then Yachtmaster in 2000. This allowed him to work for various sailing schools in the Solent including crew training for Clipper Ventures plc. He was appointed an instructor/lecturer at a large Solent-based sailing school in January 2002, becoming a Yachtmaster Instructor in 2003 and Yachtmaster Power in 2004.

In 2005-2006 Mark created a new RYA and MCA recognised sailing/powerboat school from scratch, spent three months as Master of a passenger ferry for Needles Pleasure Cruises as well as finding time to drive a rib for a local photographer during Cowes Week.

Since September 2006 Mark has helped Francis to create Outreach Maritime Services Ltd. as a company providing quality services to both the leisure and professional boating industries.

During his sailing career Mark has acquired a wide range of experience in corporate hospitality, deliveries and regatta racing as well as teaching boating to adults, children and disabled students. Outreach Maritime Services Ltd. allows him to promote his passion for the highest standards in maritime instruction and customer satisfaction.

He is a member of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and owns a Kestrel dinghy which he would like to sail more often.

The Royal Yachting Association has appointed Mark a Yachtmaster Examiner.