The Ship Handling Fleet

The Timsbury fleet is made up of 11 ship models, some of which can be reconfigured to represent several ship types, including a large sixth-generation container vessel, VLCCs, tankers, LNG carriers, bulk carriers, car carriers and a Ro-Ro ferry.

Five radio controlled tugs are available to support manoeuvring operations, including a Voith water tractor, two Azimuth stern drive and two Kort nozzles. A jack up oil rig can also be used for specialist offshore operations.

Pilots Professional Development

Each vessel is an accurately scaled model of a real ship and closely replicates the handling characteristics of an actual vessel, including single and twin screw propulsion. On-board logic systems ensure that engine output, delivery and response times, and rudder response times are correctly scaled. This also applies to bow thrusters and the windlass where fitted.

The optimum scale used for most vessels is 1:25 and the models themselves are substantial, each measuring between seven and nine metres long and weighing approximately five tonnes. The electrically powered models are ballasted by a combination of water and solid ballast, which can be configured to provide loaded, part loaded or ballast conditions at different trims.

The models are controlled on board by two people and are driven by nearly silent electric motors, which cause no disturbance to the environment or wildlife. Their maximum speed is three knots, equating to about 15 knots of ‘real’ speed, leaving no wake or wash and consequently no damage to the banks of the lake.

The Vessels

1:25 scale Liquified Natural Gas CarrierNigeria LNG’

1:25 scale Container Vessel (13,300 TEU) Resolution’

1:25 scale Suezmax Oil Tanker (27,000 DWT)‘Respect’

1:25 scale Panamax Oil Tanker/Bulk Carrier (60,000 DWT)‘Intrepid’

1:25 scale Panamax Oil Tanker/Bulk Carrier (60,000 DWT)Progress’

1:25 scale Product Tanker (40,000 DWT)Diligence’

1:15 scale Ro-Ro FerryChallenger’

1:30 scale Twin Screw Shuttle Tanker (142,000 DWT)Endeavour’

1:40 scale VLCC (150,000 DWT)Endurance’

1:40 scale VLCC (210,000 DWT)Pioneer’

1:40 scale ULCC (300,000 DWT)Venture’

Course Availability and Fees

Courses are scheduled between March and November. Please contact the administration team for dates and availability.

Please contact the administration team for further information and to book:

Email: ship.handling@solent.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)23 8201 5066