The Royal Navy has begun a programme to issue hand-held PlayStation computer consoles to sailors so they can study for tests in confined quarters.

The Sony PlayStation Portables (PSPs), which are blue and worth £120 each, are a practical solution for Navy officers who need to swot up on their maths and physics from a bunk bed in the middle of an Atlantic storm.

Marine warfare engineering technicians, who maintain the fleet’s radar, sonar, VHF radio and communications systems, were the first the receive the devices, and if proved useful they will be distributes around other personnel.

The idea was developed at the maritime warfare school at HMS Collingwood in Fareham, Hampshire, in response to figures that showed a quarter of ratings were dropping out to retake courses.

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