Solent University’s VR Emergency @ Sea project isn’t just another tech demo—it’s a wake-up call for maritime safety training. The Innovate UK-backed initiative, developed by Warsash Maritime School and the Centre for Factories of the Future, has cracked the code on one of the industry’s toughest challenges: preparing crews for emergencies in confined, high-risk spaces. The result? A VR platform that doesn’t just simulate engine rooms, cargo holds, and tanks—it throws users into the heat of the moment, from gas leaks to fires, and trains them to respond.
This isn’t about gimmicks. The project’s strength lies in its rigor. Solent’s team didn’t just build a simulation; they validated it. They fine-tuned the user experience, nailed the pedagogical design, and ensured every pixel of the VR environment matched real-world accuracy. The outcome? A tool that meets industry needs—and raises the bar for digital learning in maritime safety.
The conference and live demo at the Warsash MASS Research Centre wasn’t just a showcase—it was a call to action. Maritime professionals, researchers, and students saw firsthand how VR can bridge the gap between theory and practice. Representatives from the Nautical Institute, Royal Institute of Navigation, and the Maritime Accident and Investigation Branch weren’t just observers; they were part of the conversation, exploring how this tech could reshape training across the sector.
The real game-changer? This isn’t confined to shipping. The lessons learned here—immersive training, real-time decision-making under pressure—could ripple out to offshore energy, logistics, and manufacturing. The potential is vast, but the immediate focus is on making VR Emergency @ Sea the new standard in maritime safety.
Captain Zakirul Bhuiyan, deputy dean of research at Solent’s School of Technology and Maritime Industries, nailed it: “This project highlights how applied research and collaboration can lead to real-world solutions with industry-wide impact.” It’s not just about enhancing training—it’s about redefining it.
Professor Dr Lakhvir Singh, managing director of the Centre for Factories of the Future and project lead, is already looking ahead. “We are proud to have successfully delivered the VR Emergency @Sea project, which marks a significant step forward in the use of immersive technologies for maritime safety and training.” The next phase? Commercialisation and broader adoption. The goal? To make this VR system a global standard in maritime education and safety training.
This isn’t just about safer seas—it’s about smarter training. And Solent University just set the pace.