Fire Aid

What Fire Aid does

Fire Aid is a UK-based, family-owned maritime safety training and emergency preparedness provider founded in 1991 by Chris Rowley and his father Simon Rowley, headquartered at purpose-built facilities on Hythe Marine Park in Southampton. The company operates through two main legal entities: Fire Aid Academy Limited (registered in England) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Fire Aid International Training Limited, which delivers dry dock services. Fire Aid is also a 50% partner in the Solent Marine Rescue Academy joint venture with MRS Training and Rescue for enclosed space training, and operates a referenced international facility in Skopje, Macedonia.

The core product is STCW-compliant maritime safety training, with the STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) five-day course as the flagship offering, bundling Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, and Personal Safety & Social Responsibility. The portfolio extends to update/refresher courses (UPST, UAFF, UFPFF, UPSCRB), security training (SSO, PDSD, PSA), survival and rescue craft courses (PSCRB, PST), advanced fire fighting, passenger ship training (Pax RoRo, Crisis Management, Crowd Management, Shipboard Safety Officer), and marine/engineering courses (RYA Powerboat Level 2, Approved Engine Course 1). Industrial offerings include Fire Awareness, Fire Marshal, Working at Height, Confined Space, Fire Consultancy, and the Team Building Events arm including the 'Playing With Fire' Command and Control Experience. Service lines include Onboard Training delivered globally to any vessel, Superyacht Services, Dry Dock Support (fire watch personnel, permit management, hot work expertise, safety audits), and IT Solutions built around the proprietary Computer Based Permit System.

Fire Aid generates revenue primarily through professional services: course fees (with 35% deposits, balance due 14 days before attendance), enterprise multi-year contracts (e.g., Svitzer three-year deal), onboard training delivered globally, dry dock fire watch and permit management services, corporate team building events, and licensing/royalties for the Computer Based Permit System. Customer segments span cruise line operators (NCL, MSC, Costa, AIDA, Fred Olsen, Cunard, P&O, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean), ferry operators (Red Funnel, Condor, DFDS), towage and workboat operators (Svitzer), shipyards and dry docks (CNdM, Damen), superyacht operators (Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, M/Y Nerissa), government/military (Royal Fleet Auxiliary), research (National Oceanography Centre), and offshore services (Fugro). The company holds UK MCA course provider approval, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, Marshall Islands Registry accreditation, RYA recognition, and Cyber Essentials certification, with 51-100 employees supporting the operation.

Name

Fire Aid

Legal name

Fire Aid Academy Limited

Website

https://fireaid.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fire Aid is a UK-based, family-owned maritime safety training provider founded in 1991, delivering STCW-compliant courses, onboard training, dry dock safety services, and proprietary permit-management IT solutions to cruise lines, superyachts, ferry operators, and shipyards globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Safety Training

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (488390)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS) (EDAOANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime Safety Management Systems & Training (ISM/ISO 45001, Drills, Competency) (TLAHANAF), Fire Watch & Safety Patrol Services (BPAKAAAK)

Keywords

• Maritime safety training
• STCW basic safety training
• Fire prevention training
• Dry dock safety services
• Seafarer certification courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Southampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Training Course Fees: Professional training courses including STCW Basic Safety Training, First Aid, Fire Fighting, Survival, Security, and Passenger Ship Training. Delivered at academy facilities or onboard vessels worldwide. Revenue from course fees with deposits and payment terms.
2. Onboard Training Services: Onboard training services delivered anywhere in the world on any vessel. Cost-effective training solutions for crew training at their location.
3. Dry Dock Safety Services: Fire watch personnel, permit management, safety audits, and hot work expertise during ship refits. Services include sourcing, appointing, attiring and placement of fire guards for shipyard projects.
4. IT Solutions: IT system development and innovations including the Computer Based Permit System for permit planning, issuing and monitoring.
5. Team Building Events: Corporate team building events including the 'Playing With Fire' Command and Control Experience at the purpose-built fire simulator.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fire Aid delivers STCW-compliant maritime safety training, fire prevention and fire fighting, survival, first aid, and security courses at its purpose-built academy in Southampton and onboard client vessels worldwide. The company also provides dry dock safety services including fire watch personnel, permit management, and hot work supervision, alongside a proprietary Computer Based Permit System for shipyard operations.

Product overview

Fire Aid offers a comprehensive maritime safety training ecosystem built around STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) compliant courses. The core product is the STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) five-day course, which bundles Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, and Personal Safety & Social Responsibility modules, with Proficiency in Security Awareness included at no extra cost. Beyond the foundational BST program, the portfolio spans update/refresher training for each module (UPST, UAFF, UFPFF, UPSCRB), specialized fire fighting courses (AFF, FPFF), security training (SSO, PDSD, PSA), survival training (PSCRB, PST), passenger ship training (Pax RoRo, Crisis Management, Crowd Management, Shipboard Safety Officer), and marine/engineering courses (RYA Powerboat Level 2, Approved Engine Course 1). Industrial and corporate offerings include Fire Awareness, Fire Marshal, Working at Height, Confined Space, and Team Building Events. Services include Onboard Training delivered globally to any vessel, Superyacht Services, Dry Dock Support (fire watch personnel, permit management, hot work expertise), and IT Solutions including a proprietary Computer Based Permit System. All programs are delivered by experienced instructors from Fire Aid's purpose-built academy in Southampton, UK, or on-site at client locations worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) Comprehensive five-day emergency preparedness training course covering Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility, with Proficiency in Security Awareness included at no additional cost. Mandatory for seafarers under STCW.
• STCW Update/Refresher Training Five-year refresher courses covering Update Personal Survival Techniques (UPST), Update Advanced Fire Fighting (UAFF), Update Proficiency in Survival Craft Rescue Boats (UPSCRB), and Update Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (UFPFF) to maintain STCW certification.
• First Aid Training (EFA and MFA) One-day Elementary First Aid (EFA) course covering first aid techniques for onboard accidents and illnesses, plus the advanced Medical First Aid (MFA) course for medical emergencies at sea, designed for personnel working onboard cruise lines, commercial ships, and superyachts.
• Maritime Security Training (SSO, PDSD, PSA) Security training programs including Proficiency for Ship Security Officers (SSO), Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD), and Proficiency in Security Awareness (PSA) covering security risk assessment, threat identification, gangway duties, and onboard security operations.
• Advanced and Basic Fire Fighting Training (AFF, FPFF) Fire fighting training covering fire extinguisher use, breathing apparatus operation, command and control, fire investigation, and firefighter protective equipment. Includes Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF) courses.
• Survival Craft and Personal Survival Training (PSCRB, PST) Theoretical and practical pool-based training covering life-raft use, immersion suits, life jackets, sea survival, and Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB) for crew or coxswain of commercial rescue boats.
• Passenger Ship Training (Pax RoRo, Crisis Management, Crowd Management, Shipboard Safety Officer) Passenger vessel safety courses covering Proficiency in Passenger Safety, Cargo Safety and Hull Integrity for Ro-Ro Passenger Ships (Pax RoRo), Crisis Management and Human Behaviour, Crowd Management, and Shipboard Safety Officer duties for Masters, Chief Officers, and muster personnel.
• Onboard Training Services Onboard training delivered globally to any vessel, anywhere in the world, designed to minimize travel disruption. Customized crew training programs delivered at client locations worldwide for cruise lines, commercial vessels, and other operators.
• Superyacht Crew Training Services Bespoke onboard training specifically designed for the global superyacht industry, delivered at the client's yacht to minimize crew travel disruption and maximize training time. Tailored for superyacht crew operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 emergency preparedness training courses delivered since 2015
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MRS Training and RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2015Joint venture partnership to create the Solent Marine Rescue Academy. Fire Aid and MRS Training and Rescue (formerly Mines Rescue Service) partnered to establish enclosed space entry training facilities. The academy was officially opened by Mr Steve Clinch, Head of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
• UK Department of International Trade (DIT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFire Aid has worked closely with the UK DIT to maximize its potential at international trade events like Seatrade Miami.
• UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)coreTechnology or IntegrationFire Aid delivers training courses approved and accredited by the UK MCA. Fire Aid is an MCA-approved course provider delivering STCW-compliant maritime safety training.
• Republic of Marshall Islands RegistrycoreTechnology or IntegrationFire Aid delivers training courses accredited by the Republic of Marshall Islands flag registries for maritime certification.
• British Marine FederationminorOthersFire Aid is a proud member of the British Marine Federation, supporting the UK marine industry.
• Superyacht UK AssociationminorOthersFire Aid is a proud member of Superyacht UK Association, supporting the UK superyacht sector.
• British Fire Services AssociationminorOthersFire Aid is a proud member of the British Fire Services Association.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Survivex (3t Energy Services): UK safety training centre offering fire fighting, sea survival, STCW and offshore safety courses from purpose-built facilities. Comparable in physical academy model and in serving offshore, maritime and industrial safety training markets.
• Marlins: UK-headquartered maritime training and crew testing provider offering STCW-aligned e-learning, language testing and onboard training. Most directly comparable to Fire Aid in target customers (cruise, commercial, superyacht crews) and course portfolio.
• Stream Marine Training: UK-based maritime training company offering STCW, fire fighting and survival courses from its own academy and onboard. Direct competitor for academy-based and onboard delivery to the same maritime customer base.
• Falck Safety Services: Global safety training provider covering fire response, offshore and maritime safety. Comparable in fire and emergency preparedness course portfolio and in serving offshore/maritime industrial customers.
• Seagull Maritime (Viking Maritime Group): Maritime training and e-learning provider delivering STCW and competency content to ship operators globally. Overlaps directly with Fire Aid in regulatory maritime safety training and in serving cruise lines and commercial fleets.

Broad incumbents

• Videotel (KVH): Long-established maritime training content provider (now part of KVH) delivering STCW, safety and operational e-learning to global fleets. Adjacent rather than head-to-head with Fire Aid because it is digital-only, but serves the same regulatory training need for the same customers.
• Kongsberg Maritime Training: Maritime simulation and training division of Kongsberg, offering shipboard and offshore competency training globally. Comparable to Fire Aid's broader maritime safety competency remit, though focused on technical/simulation rather than STCW fire/survival courses.
• Wood Training: UK-based industrial and offshore safety training provider offering fire response, working at height and offshore safety courses. Comparable in the corporate/industrial fire safety training arm of Fire Aid, though it is part of a much larger engineering group.
• Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy: Maritime training arm of Wärtsilä delivering engine room, safety and STCW courses. Comparable in serving maritime safety training needs of ship operators, though bundled with a much broader industrial portfolio.

Regional players

• Petrofac Training Services: Training provider tied to oil & gas operations offering offshore and maritime safety courses in the UK and internationally. Comparable to Fire Aid's offshore/industrial safety training, especially the Fugro-style offshore engineer STCW use case.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fireaidgmt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FireaidGMT/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/Fireaid-GMT-664599013557142
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fireaid

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fire Aid