Simulator Allows ROTC Students To Navigate Seas From Classroom

The Navy ROTC program at Jacksonville University recently became the first in the country to give its students the opportunity to use new technology designed to give insight as to what it's like to navigate the high seas.

The Mariner Skills Simulator's computerized navigation and seamanship simulator allows instructors to better assess individual abilities.

"Instead of theoretical or on paper we can actually teach it, and now the students can go and experience the effects of wind, current," said Jacksonville University ROTC Instructor Lt. Saul Pavlinsky. Already a part of the U.S. Navy, the Mariner Skills Simulator was officially unveiled at the school earlier this month.

The school's new simulator came with a pretty steep price tag, over $250,000, which was paid for by the federal government.