Virtual Marine
The story of Virtual Marine begins with a loss that shook a nation. In 1982, the Ocean Ranger offshore drilling rig sank off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, claiming 84 lives. In the years that followed, one question echoed through the maritime community: How could training better prepare crews for real life emergencies at sea?
Out of loss and determination, Virtual Marine was born.
Founded in 2004 by Dr. Randy Billard and Dr. Brian Veitch and in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Memorial University and Marine Institute, Virtual Marine recognized what other companies did not: that advanced simulation could replace dangerous, limited, and costly real-world drills and training.
Instead of exposing crews to heavy seas, unstable crafts and harsh elements, they could recreate those conditions in controlled, immersive environments, where mistakes became lessons. And not tragedies.
Turning risk into readiness
Virtual Marine designs high-fidelity maritime simulators that replicate the real world in astonishing detail. From lifeboat launches in towering waves to fast rescue boat maneuvers in darkness, and from navigating through multi-year Arctic ice, to emergency evacuations at sea, these world-class simulators offer scenarios that once could only be experienced the hard way.
Globally certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), and recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), these systems have helped shape international standards in maritime safety and operational training, and are used to train offshore oil and gas crews, Coast Guard and naval operators, ferry and cruise ship personnel, and Arctic and ice-management teams. Instead of risking equipment, vessels, and lives, users can safely experience and respond to realistic operational and emergency scenarios.
The result? Crews arrive on the job more prepared, more capable, and more likely to make the right decision when it truly matters.
Leadership in Defence and Ice Simulation
As Canada’s attention turns north, Virtual Marine has become a key partner in Arctic and Defence readiness. Working with the NRC and Memorial University, Virtual Marine is transforming how ice performance is modeled and understood through the tri-nation ICE PACT initiative.
It’s digital modeling of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels allows crews to rehearse missions before facing real-world ice and isolation. These virtual environments build confidence, readiness, and safety.
Today, Virtual Marine is a trusted partner to the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard, supporting Canada’s sovereignty and security in the North.
Growing from Newfoundland to the World
Now entering its 22nd year, Virtual Marine employs more than 45 people and operates five global training nodes across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Qatar. More than 200 simulators are in use worldwide, training roughly 8,000 mariners every year.
Unlike many companies, Virtual Marine is vertically integrated, meaning it designs the simulators and delivers the training. This gives clients a single, accountable partner for both technology and performance outcomes.
Support from ACOA has helped fuel this growth by strengthening R&D partnerships, expanding marketing capacity, and opening doors to global Defence and Arctic markets.
From its roots in St. John’s, Virtual Marine now brings Canadian innovation to the world.
What’s next for Virtual Marine
Virtual Marine is developing the next generation of adaptive simulation, combining VR/AR visualization, AI-driven analytics, and mission rehearsal systems that enhance decision-making and performance in dynamic environments.
Mobile and trailer-based simulators are now deployed across Canada - from ferry operations in British Columbia to Defence training in Newfoundland and first-responder preparedness in Saskatchewan - with growing reach across Europe, Asia, and the Southern Hemisphere.
As simulation becomes the global standard for training in both Defence and Arctic operations, Virtual Marine remains committed to working with its ecosystem partners in Atlantic Canada to advance safety, realism, and readiness for all who operate at sea.
“Our purpose has never changed- to make training safer, more effective, and more mission-oriented,” says Randy Billard, President & CEO of Virtual Marine. “For over 20 years, we’ve been dedicated to saving lives with a goal of helping marine personnel get home safely to their families. Our simulations and training programs also help strengthen Canada’s sovereignty and security goals in the North, and to support our NATO Defence partners as we improve our operational readiness.”
Ready to dive deeper? Explore the future of marine simulation by visiting: Virtual Marine