State-of-the-art fishing vessel simulator 'aims to enhance safety at sea'
The simulator is being developed to mimic a range of potential emergencies - and is backed by fishers who've lost colleagues and friends in the past
Last updated 3rd Feb 2025
A new state-of-the-art fishing vessel simulator has been unveiled in Devon - to help improve the safety of the UK's most dangerous profession.
The machine - based at South Devon's College Marine Academy near Dartmouth - is the fishing vessel equivalent of a flight simulator.
In 2023 South Devon College Marine Academy launched its Fisher Apprenticeship programme aimed at helping plug the skills shortage in the sector and encourage new entrants into the industry.
The simulator has been funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund to enhance its teaching and research.
The 'virtual bridge' can offer a wide variety of situations and conditions, and also links up with other areas of the course - so for example the bridge might discover an engine problem, and students in another room can try to resolve that engine problem whilst in contact with the bridge.
The new simulator was tried first by retired fishers from the Fishermen’s Mission who also met with students to swap experiences of life at sea - and offer guidance.