Watermark Group has reopened its maritime simulator training center in Hampshire, bringing the facility back into active use for the cruise and shipping industries, the company said in a press release.

The center is equipped with Wärtsilä’s high-fidelity simulator technology and includes two full bridge simulators, an engine control room simulator, high-voltage training capability, a virtual machinery space and a 360-degree tug simulator.

“I’ve admired this simulator facility for a long time,” said Alex Downes, director at Watermark Group.

“In my previous role as a captain at Marella Cruises we used it as a customer, so I know first-hand the value that additional, practical training can bring to crews. When the chance came to bring this facility back into operation, it felt like the right thing to do.”

The facility is located near Portsmouth and Southampton, which are home to a concentration of marine operations, cruise management and maritime businesses.

“The maritime skills shortage is real, and it’s clear that we need scalable ways to bring seafarers up to speed quickly while maintaining high standards,” said Petr Olyanyk, head of simulation sales Europe at Wärtsilä.

“With Wärtsilä’s high-fidelity simulators available at Watermark’s Hampshire training centre, it is well suited to support cruise-specific training requirements, enabling seafarers to gain hands-on experience in a realistic, controlled environment.”

The simulator center will support training programs tailored to individual operators across all ranks and operational functions.