A ship navigation and handling training simulator comprises a console for use by an instructor and a console for use by a student navigator. Each console has a visual display unit with a screen to provide a mimic display of the ship and environmental information, and the instructor console is associated with two groups of controls for setting in, respectively, the environmental and display information applicable to the navigational or ship handling exercise to be performed and information representing ship/tug control decisions by the student. The consoles are interconnected by a voice link so that the instructor can initially set the environmental and display controls and subsequently adjust the group of controls for ship/tug control in accordance with vocal instructions from the student transmitted via the voice link. Computer means are programmed to control the displays on the screens on a time scale in accordance with the information set-in on both groups of controls and the changes thereto during the course of the exercise.