Hi Stuart,
As Clanky says those scaled down vessels used at Warsash are pretty good. Probably about as realistic as one can get without trying it on the real thing.
Such things were not available in my seafaring days, we had to learn by watching our betters doing things, and learning by their mistakes.
I have to agree with Clanky about the RN ship handlers though. Much of my own observations of the abilities of those guys would be best described as "Could do better." I posted some time back about watching The Royal Yacht "Britannia" carving a huge chunk out of a wooden quayside in Georgetown, British Guiana ( Now Gyanana) because the Commander of the ship was too proud to take advice from a local pilot who naturally knew the Demerara river like the back of his hand.
"Britannia" also took some damage once in the Mersey whilst coming alongside Princes Landing stage at the Pierhead. There was some sudden activity with dark blue paint immediately after she was moored. If they can do that to our Queens own ship, what does one say.
BTW, all the best to you and yours for the New Year.
Angus.