Mayor Steve Rotheram took the helm of a high-tech simulator being used to train captains for the first new Mersey Ferry in more than 60 years.

The Mayor visited the state-of-the-art maritime simulator at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) to meet the ferry captains and experience first-hand the cutting-edge Azipod propulsion system that will power the £26m Royal Daffodil.

Currently under construction at Cammell Laird, the Royal Daffodil will be the most advanced Mersey Ferry ever built and is set to enter service next year. The vessel features hybrid-ready engines similar to those already in use on the Lake Windermere ferry, where Mersey Ferries captains are also gaining valuable experience ahead of the 2026 launch.

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: 

“The late, great, Gerry Marsden immortalised the ‘ferry ‘cross the Mersey’ and they’re a part of who we are. They’ve carried generations of people across the river, to work, to gigs, to games and back home again. But just like our region, they’re evolving.

“The Royal Daffodil is the next chapter in that story – cleaner, greener, and built right here on the banks of the Mersey. It’s a real symbol of the pride, innovation and graft that make our area special.

“Seeing our captains mastering this new technology shows that, while the kit might be cutting-edge, the spirit of the Ferries remains exactly the same.”

The simulator training at LJMU allows captains to practise emergency stops, precision docking, tight manoeuvres and challenging weather scenarios on a realistic digital recreation of the River Mersey.

Unlike the 60-year-old propulsion systems on the current fleet, which require manual engagement and throttle control, the new Azipod technology provides automated support for safer, smoother and more efficient navigation.

While the Royal Daffodil marks the start of a new high-tech era for Mersey Ferries, traditional seamanship remains at its heart. Captains will continue to operate both the new and existing vessels, ensuring the team remains one of the most skilled and adaptable in the UK maritime sector.

Major upgrades to the Seacombe Ferry Terminal in Wirral were completed in 2024, with the transformation of Woodside set to follow soon, two key milestones in the wider masterplan to safeguard and elevate the iconic Mersey Ferries experience.

READ MORE: Filming begins on series two of BBC drama This City is Ours