Recently we were fortunate to be visited and involved in a great article written by the United Kingdom Maritime Ports Association (UKPMA) highlighting Bridge Resource Management (BRM) training.
Michael Roberts from the UKPMA spent a week at the MSA Portsmouth training centre observing a number of BRM sessions being run by our expert instructors. These sessions were for two major cruise lines and highlighted how we combine methodology with technology in learning.
At Maritime Skills Academy we make sure we provide a realistic and worthwhile experience for clients with our state-of-the-art bridge simulators.
This was taken to a whole new level recently with the introduction of the new 360 tug simulator installed and linked with the main bridge.
During a recent training week which saw clients from Virgin Voyages, SMS Towage and Portsmouth Port, we were able to simulate a number of training exercises and scenarios, which included working together when manoeuvring during loss of bow thruster and loss of pod propulsion.
Some images from the sessions:
The new addition to the MSA Portsmouth centre, includes a 360 degree full mission tug simulator, complete with Rolls Royce controls and electronics and genuine Damen hardware winch controls.
The new simulator is fully integrated with the existing full bridge simulator, to provide realistic exercises where tug operations can be combined with ship handling courses to further enhance the training opportunities.
Viking MSA’s model of providing an innovative and tailored approach to training has led to a significant increase in demand for simulator training from tug operators and ports alike.
Our fully integrated 360 tug simulator has realistic simulator visualisation and supports different types of training in:
Offshore tugging and towing
Ship assistance work
High speed escort work
Operating various anchor equipment
Oil rig and platform moves
Integrated tug master and pilot training
All types of tugboats are simulated, including conventional single-screw tugs, conventional twin-screw tugs, cycloid-drive (Voith-Schneider) tractor tugs and Z-drive reverse tractor drive.
Working in partnership with Seaways Global training courses can include:
Module 1 – ASD/ATD Tug Handling
Module 2 – Undertaking Harbour Towage
Module 3 – Active Escort & Dynamic Ship Assist
Pilot Azimuth Propulsion course
Effective Use of Tugs for Marine Pilots
The state-of-the-art simulator set up includes:
360° vision via 44 LED screens
31 computers
Rolls Royce controls and electronics
ASD/ATD/CTS/VSP controls
Genuine Damen hardware winch controls.
Working closely in partnership with Wartsila, hydrodynamic modelling accurately replicates the dynamic interaction between the ship and the tug to further enhance the realism and user experience.
The MSA in Portsmouth already boasts a full 270 degree NACOS platinum bridge with integrated bridge wings, connected safety centre, engine simulation suite with its control room, main switch board, high voltage and 3x virtual machinery spaces. See more here www.maritimeskillsacademy.com/solent/
The MSA in Dover provides delegates with more of the practical safety training, covering basic and advanced STCW courses, GWO, hands on engineering, commercial fire fighting and development training. The facilities include a real-life environmental effects survival pool, fire training centre, a damage control module, lifeboat centre and workshops. See more here www.maritimeskillsacademy.com/facilities/
The Maritime Skills Academy and Wartsila Voyage have worked together to create Virtual Reality Training to help prepare seafarers for the hugely complex modern ship environment and systems of today and tomorrow.
Taking your training to the next level, the MSA, in collaboration with Wartsila Voyage’s award-winning cloud simulation solutions, can now provide cutting-edge learning software that helps deliver a high-level classroom learning experience. This training can take place at MSA Portsmouth or even remotely if required.
The Wartsila Smart Realities VR is a solution that goes beyond the standard joypad, controls and monitors, to provide a highly immersive and memorable training experience.
Combining mathematical, physical and environmental modelling with the latest in virtual and augmented reality, our solution places students on a virtual bridge or engine room to make training as close to reality as it can get.
It is a versatile platform that can be applied to almost all technologies in navigation, engineering, and other training fields — introducing an exciting new technique in modern seafarer training that appeals to all seafarers, whether it be highly experienced Officers, Junior Officers or future Cadets.
Capt Josip Kulas, Director of Training at MSA Portsmouth says: “We are excited and delighted to be offering the next level of training technology to seafarers. Smart Reality VR provides for a high level of learning engagement in combination with practice-based training, which emphasises impactful experiential learning. This can empower ship’s Officers to learn safely without consequence to themselves or the business. It brings engagement to a whole new level, as learners can perform maritime tasks first hand in a much more realistic environment. It works to increase learner knowledge and the amount of information received and helps provide the ability to share training experiences with other people. We believe it makes education exciting, engaging and more comfortable all round.”
Key benefits
• Virtual Reality solutions help prepare tomorrow’s seafarers for a ship environment that is becoming increasingly varied and complex.
• Cost-effective and fully immersive XR solution so that officers can gain more training time on ship handling techniques.
• Combining today’s technology with 25 years of experience in hi-fidelity hydrodynamical, mathematical and physical modelling.
• One platform that complements your existing simulator or can be applied even as a stand-alone solution.
• Use the same functionalities, exercises, models, and databases as your traditional simulator setup, just delivered via a hi-tech and more effective learning method.
• Exercises and scenarios created by MSA expert instructors.
• Tailored to any ship procedures using any ship model and port areas.
For more information contact Captain Josip Kulas on josipk@vikingmsa.com
