Marine Specialised Technology in Liverpool is the world’s leading provider of Rigid Inflatable Boats to military and professional clients. Tony McDonough reports.

A specialist Liverpool maritime firm has developed a ‘capsize simulator’ which is claims could revolutionise the way lifeboat and rescue boat crews are trained.

Marine Specialised Technology (MST), based in Brunswick Dock Business Park, is the world’s leading provider of Rigid Inflatable Boats to military and professional clients.

Its crafts are used in law enforcement, naval, rescue, patrol, special operations, fisheries and conservation.

MST’s capsize simulator, which was developed by ex-lifeboat crew members and built in-house for the group’s  training arm, MST Safety & Training, is a new training simulator.

Capsize training is essential for all UK lifeboat and rescue boats crews, but to date it has only been offered at a few training centres across the UK, making it expensive and time-consuming.

MST’s capsize simulator will allow training to be delivered in any open water environment with a depth of just a few metres, making capsize training more affordable and accessible throughout the UK and Ireland.

It has features including an inversion system, escape hatch and an enhanced survivor space, and meets in full the capsize training requirements set out in the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency Open Boat Rescue Boat Code.

As a training tool, it provides a realistic scenario in which the trainees can participate in the capsizing and righting of the simulator.

MST’s Operational Training Manager, Andrew Fell, says response from the market since launch of the simulator earlier this summer has been “tremendous”.

He added: “Effective safety and rescue requires the ability to make good choices whilst in critical situations.

“Realistic, scenario-based training gives rescue team members the ability to accurately assess operational requirements by having a working knowledge of the environment and the tasks.

“I believe this training system will increase safety and ultimately save lives by providing more accurate and complete reference points on which rescuers can make sound judgments and good decisions.”

The capsize simulator is easily transported by road so that training can be carried out wherever the client is based.

It can also be launched by beach or slipway rather than in a pool environment.