WARSASH Maritime Academy is holding an open day today from 10am until 3pm to promote careers at sea.

John Bazley, the academy’s operations manager, said: “The maritime industry is still one of the most important industries in the world and a vital part of the UK economy. With 95per cent of the UK’s international trade arriving or leaving by sea, the shipping industry offers excellent career prospects.”

The academy is part of Southampton Solent University and course fees, with a salary or training allowance, are funded by shipping companies through sponsorship.

As well as information and talks on life as a deck or engineering officer, visitors will see visual displays by the Fire School, and be shown how blazes are battled at sea.

The maritime and offshore safety team will be demonstrating survival kit and providing talks about survival training.

Many of the major British shipping companies, recruitment and training representatives will attend to give information about the career opportunities that they can offer. Shipping companies represented include: Anglo Eastern UK, Carisbrooke Shipping, Carnival UK, Chiltern Maritime, Clyde Marine Training, Maersk Crewing Ltd, Princess Cruises, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Ship Safe Training group, Viking Recruitment, and V-Ships.

To register for the open day email wma@solent.ac.uk