VirtualShip
Explore the ocean with a virtual research vessel
VirtualShip provides a framework to plan and conduct a virtual research expedition, receiving measurements as if they were coming from actual oceanographic instruments.
Get started as
Key Features & Capabilities
VirtualShip can be used to simulate and teach the planning, execution and analysis of ocean-based fieldwork
Train students and researchers — free to use and open source
VirtualShip is a free, open-source, tool to train students and researchers in marine sciences for working at sea. You can find the code on GitHub.
Plan and execute your own expedition
VirtualShip allows you to plan your expedition, including the route, instruments and data collection.
Experience life on board with VR
VirtualShip includes 360 videos for VR headsets to experience life on board a research vessel.
Integrate with the Marine Facilities Planning Portal
Plan your fieldwork at the marinefacilitiesplanning.com portal and use the downloaded route in VirtualShip.
Simulate oceanographic instruments
VirtualShip simulates data retrieval from (bio)CTD, ADCP, XBT, surface drifters, and Argo float instruments.
Built on Parcels & Copernicus Marine Service data
VirtualShip uses Parcels, a Python library for simulating particles, and the CopernicusMarine tool to seamlessly download hydrodynamic and biogeochemical data.
VirtualShip development has been supported by the following organisations
