Deep inside the unassuming concrete building off Dixie Highway and Sheridan Street is a realistic ship simulator that provides maritime training with Coast Guard-certified instructors.

There is a full-sized simulated engine room, a control room and a life-sized bridge for high-seas training, equipped with 365-degree gut-churning, rolling ocean video.

This is the Simulation, Training, Assessment and Research Center -- or STAR, for short.

On Thursday night, there was danger.

"Can't see what's happening out there yet," said a voice over the radio.

It was a potential attack.

Captain Gerard Pannell, a trainer, responded to the call.

"Lookout, I have a small craft up on the starboard quarter about a half mile out," he said.

The craft waas moving at 20 knots off the coast of Somalia.

"OK,we do not have a visual sighting at this time," Pannell said.

A skiff was spotted on sonar -- off the starboard quarter. They were armed pirates.

"One of these guys has a firearm -- an automatic weapon," boomed the voice on the radio.

The crew worked on the bridge, called down to the engine room and up to control.

And it was all just a training exercise.

We need to be prepared for all eventualities," Captain Phillip Shullo told Local 10's Janine Stanwood.

STAR trains shipping companies throughout the world, including Maersk, whose cargo ship Alabama was overtaken by pirates this week and kidnapped its captain.

"For anybody to give themselves as a hostage is amazing," said Shullo.

There is only a handful of simulators like the one at the STAR center in the world. Hundreds of captains are estimated to come through the Dania Beach facility every year, so trainers want to make sure cargo ships and cruise lines are prepared for anything.