Duke of Edinburgh visits Ship Handling Centre
Tuesday 4 October 2011
The Duke of Edinburgh visited Warsash Maritime Academy’s new manned model ship handling centre – one of only five in the world – on Tuesday, 4 October.
During the visit, the Duke took a tour of the lake aboard ‘Challenger’ - a scale model of a cross channel ferry, and the same ship he boarded in 1996 when he visited the centre at its previous site in Marchwood.
Back on shore the Duke watched delegates in the manned models undertake a range of ship handling scenarios.
The visit also included a tour of the new classroom and workshop facilities at the centre where he met staff and students.
Southampton Solent University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Van Gore commented: “The University is honoured and delighted that the Duke of Edinburgh has visited our new world-class ship handling facility for the global maritime industry.”
Warsash Maritime Academy - part of Southampton Solent University - officially opened the £2.7 million centre on 21 June at a special ceremony presided over by the University’s Chancellor, Admiral The Right Honourable Lord West of Spithead.
The original ship handling centre was moved from its 10-acre Marchwood site to Timsbury, near Romsey, after it was identified as an ideal site for the Academy’s first class training for the international shipping industry.
Over the last year, work has been carried out on the lake to allow for ship models to navigate berths, basins and channels to recreate a variety of port scenarios, canal transits and berthing operations for officers and pilots to practice ship handling skills. Complex maritime manoeuvres can be practised in complete safety, making it a key training tool for the shipping industry.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9040
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Warsash Maritime Academy (WMA) - part of Southampton Solent University – has provided first class training, consultancy and research to the international shipping industry for over 60 years. The Academy provides internationally recognised certification programmes for both deck and engineer officers from cadet level to Master (Captain) and Chief Engineer. It also offers short safety courses to develop skills such as fire fighting and sea survival, and continuous professional development modules for more experienced officers.
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Bringing 21st century maritime training to Timsbury Lake marks the beginning of a new chapter in Timsbury’s history. The 9th century lake has, over the years, been a source of fish for the monks of Winchester, of water to drive a medieval water mill and the haunt of carp anglers.