Model ship handling centre on the move
The UK’s only manned model ship handling training centre has moved home.
The Warsash Maritime Academy facility has been based at Marchwood, near Southampton, for over 20 years.
Last month, as part of a £2.7m development, the Academy’s internationally acclaimed manned model fleet left its Marchwood base and journeyed inland to its new location at one of the UK’s oldest existing reservoirs.
The 9m long electric powered models were carried by road to the new Manned Model Shiphandling Centre site at Timsbury, near Romsey. The Academy has seven scale model vessels, which can represent nine different vessel types ranging from a 300,000 tonne tanker to a superferry, as well as two radio controlled tugs for use in berthing operations. The manned models are scale models, controlled onboard by two people. The models each weigh around five tons and have been developed to replicate the specifications of the ‘real’ vessel by a team of dedicated WMA technicians.
The entire manned model operation will be moving to the lake in 2011, as part of a major investment to ensure the continued development of Southampton Solent University’s highly specialised maritime training facilities.
Mariners from across the globe have been getting vital training at the former 10 acre Marchwood facility, one of only five in the world, for more than 20 years, learning shiphandling skills on scale model vessels in conditions that emulate real life maritime experiences.
The new Manned Model Shiphandling Centre at Timsbury will build on the expertise gained from the Marchwood operations. Using various ship models, berths, basins and channels on the new lake, a variety of port scenarios, canal transits and berthing operations will be simulated for the ships’ officers and pilots under training to practice their shiphandling skills. Complex and, in real life, potentially hazardous manoeuvres can be practised in complete safety in the manned models.
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.
Safeguarding the ecology of the lake and its woodland surroundings will be a major element of the University’s project.
