Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy in Virginia Beach, VA announced the installation of a Transas ERS4000 Engine Room Simulator. The simulator provides is a complete training system that includes classroom demonstrations and scenario playback, stand-alone and team watch-standing operation of the engineering plant in a computer lab setting, as well as watch-standing operations in an engine control room mockup with dedicated control consoles and switchboards.
The system provides the capability of integration with the school’s full-bridge ship-handling simulator for joint bridge/engine room training exercises. The simulator is IMO STCW-95 compliant for watch keeping functions at both support and operational levels, for training unlicensed and licensed watch-standers. With three dimensional visualization software, training is also extended to engine room familiarization training for entry- level personnel.
Several diesel-engineering plants are featured. Diesel propulsion models for various ship types (general cargo, containership, and large crude carrier) include various slow speed MAN & Burmeister Wain as well as Wartsila-Sulzer engines, featuring direct-reversible fixed pitch propeller systems. A medium speed Pielstick model (Roll-on Roll-off vessel), featuring a controllable pitch propeller system is also featured. A diesel-electric drive model shall be added when it becomes available. High speed models based on Caterpillar 3500 series engines are also featured, including an ultra-modern asimuthing stern drive tug, as well as a fishing trawler with reversing gears.
A steam propulsion plant is also featured, modeled from an LNG gas carrier. Dual fuel boilers furnishing steam to geared steam turbine drives is modeled. As with the diesel propulsion plants, all propulsion systems and machinery, auxiliary systems and machinery, and electricity generating plants are featured as fully integrative allowing operation in a plant stand- alone mode or fully integrated mode, allowing for flexibility for training. A gas turbine model will be added when it becomes available.
(www.mamatrains.com)