ONE of the most advanced maritime training centres in Europe is running team building exercises for Merseyside office workers. The Lairdside Maritime Centre in Birkenhead is part of Liverpool John Moores University and has developed the only 360º ship simulator in the UK. It is used to train ships' officers how to handle vessels using state-of-theart computer projections of the Mersey or other waterways. Some of the tasks mariners are set include piloting a tug boat and guiding huge oil tankers up the river in whatever river or weather conditions the trainers decide. Courses run for one or two days and some big household business names have already taken part, said Laird-side Maritime Centre director Phil Russ. "For years, businesses have been using aircraft simulators and other outdoor activities for team building purposes, but we can offer a day that is far more exciting because it really lets the whole group interact and work together as they try to navigate a ship," he said. "The beauty is that they can work in a completely safe environment without having to take a step off dry land. "As we have the only 360º simulator in the country, delegates have the chance to plot a course down the River Mersey or a stretch of water of their choice and feel as though they are really there. It is so realistic that we often get cases of sea sickness! "Our newly-introduced tug simulator forces the teams to work together and communicate while facing the task of connecting the two vessels and navigating them to port." Phil explained: "To make the visit more effective we give the teams a briefing session before they start so that they are taught the basics and understand the navigation system. From then on, it is down to them and as we have control of the computer programme we can throw up any combination of scenarios. "We can make the water as rough or as calm as we like, change the weather conditions and even plant an iceberg in the Mersey. "All practical exercises are fully debriefed to ensure that the teams learn through their experience." | 
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