A new high-tech lab that simulates working with underwater robotics was officially unveiled at the Marine Institute in St. John’s today.

The ribbon-cutting for the lab was done—appropriately enough—by a small ROV, as officials from MUN, the Marine Institute and the federal and provincial governments looked on.

The lab will use virtual technology developed by Mount Pearl-based GRi Simulations to train future ROV pilots to conduct inspections on everything from ship hulls to oil and gas platforms, military assets and everything in between.

GRi’s Russell Pelley says the high fidelity picture is so close to reality that it ensures practice makes perfect for students in the School of Ocean Technology program through real-time training and completion of complex underwater jobs.

As a result, he said the innovation reduces the risk for people as well as the financial implications of damaged or lost ROVs at sea.

The $440,000 lab is cost-shared between Ottawa, the provincial government, MUN and the Marine Institue.