As part of its growth and diversification strategy, Virtual Marine Technology Inc. (Virtual Marine) has signed a market representation agreement with SAFER Training (Scotland) Ltd. (SAFER Training), effectively expanding Virtual Marine’s in-country market representation to 11 more countries.
The agreement includes exclusive representation for Virtual Marine’s products within the UK and Qatar, in addition to several other countries in line with Virtual Marine's growth and diversification strategy and where SAFER Training is currently active.
SAFER Training’s Managing Director, Ian McMillin stated, “We have been active in these markets for many years and have deep roots within the oil, gas, maritime and subsea training and consultancy industry sectors. Our past relationship with Virtual Marine has focused primarily on joint provision of OPITO-approved lifeboat coxswain training services. Extending our commercial relationship to include frontline sales is a natural progression and builds on SAFER’s deep understanding of the pedagogical applications of Virtual Marine’s technology and forms a solid foundation of successful projects together with Virtual Marine.”
Virtual Marine’s Vice President of Sales, Clayton Burry, confirmed “This agreement is an important step forward in our initiative to expand our global sales network and will help accelerate our plans to scale up the company across a range of market segments. Increased approval of our lifeboat and fast rescue boat simulations by a growing number of regulatory bodies as an alternative form of training, combined with our world-class flexible solutions and SAFER’s solid reputation in maritime simulations, represents a beneficial outcome for both parties.”
SAFER Training’s Head Office is strategically located in Liverpool and is supported by a dedicated Offshore Lifeboat Coxswains Training Facility in Dyce, Aberdeen. The Aberdeen facility is equipped with Twin Fall, Free Fall, Fast Rescue Boat and various desktop simulators where clients are able to view and experience the simulators and their benefits first-hand. The location of the facility in Dyce provides easy access to Aberdeen Airport, multiple hotels, and heliports to ensure clients and visitors accessibility.
Virtual Marine is a leading supplier of maritime simulation solutions, with a growing global install base. The company’s recent launch of the low-cost QuestTM modular virtual reality desktop simulator is viewed as a revolutionary shift in the approach to maritime simulation training, triggering a boost in market demand. Widely regarded as a viable alternative to large and more expensive full mission simulators, the desktop solution, which can instantly switch its payload from lifeboat to fast rescue boat to fast rescue craft, packs into flight cases for ease of transportation.
Virtual Marine’s industry-leading technology incorporates machine learning, adaptive training and gamification to create engaging learning experiences and customized training that is ideal for independent study. The company’s embedded instructor-less curriculum and cloud-based assessment, testing and certification system, has resulted in a compact training solution for customers, whilst leveraging Virtual Marine’s unique expertise in meeting all key global regulatory training standards.
