RECORD numbers of people turned up to find out about careers on the waves.

More than 750 visitors attended a careers at sea open day at Warsash Maritime Academy.

They found out what a job in the maritime industry has to offer and the training programmes necessary to qualify as a ship’s navigation, engineer or electro-technical officer in the merchant navy and the superyacht industry.

Visitors had the chance to find out more about the life of a merchant navy officer by taking command of a ship in the bridge simulator, navigating a passage using electronic charts, walking through a virtual ship’s engine room, watching firefighting demonstrations and seeing students in the engineering workshop.

Potential cadets could also meet shipping companies responsible for offering funded officer cadet training and recruitment.

Andrew Hair, director of Warsash Maritime Academy, said: “The maritime industry remains buoyant and offers exciting career opportunities for the right candidates.”

The academy will be holding another careers day on June 27.