UK based ECDIS training and consultancy company ECDIS Ltd unveiled a VSTEP NAUTIS full mission bridge simulator with a 315° viewing capability. It is to primarily be used for Bridge Team training but has been fitted with 4 different ECDIS systems all integrated with the NAUTIS software.
The Simulator was opened last month by MP George Hollingbery in Southampton.
The Bridge Simulator is to accompany the six smaller NAUTIS simulators already used for visual channels during the IMO 1.27 Model ECDIS Course. VSTEP are world renowned for their simulator software and have the capability of integrating their system with most ECDIS manufactures using standard NMEA strings as found onboard any vessel.
The Bridge Simulator has been setup with 2 Radars and 4 ECDIS systems including OSI, Kelvin Hughes, JRC and Transas which are all full integrated. However it can also be integrated with other ECDIS manufacturers as required by clients. The system is capable of displaying Radar, AIS and ARPA overlays onto the ECDIS giving an extremely realistic experience for the mariner.
Mark Broster, Managing Director of ECDIS Ltd, says: "It represents another milestone in our company that we have partnered with such a large, well respected and global simulator manufacturer. However, our aim remains the same, to provide excellent quality training at affordable prices to the mariner. Expanding our portfolio with the Enav Center is providing exactly that. Due to the success of this project, it is likely that we will select the VSTEP simulation solution for all our future facilities and procurements abroad.”
Malcolm Instone, Director of Operations & Standards, adds: “Considerable time and effort goes into the development of our ECDIS courses to ensure that they are of the highest quality, and the new Bridge Team Management, Bridge Resource Management and Bridge Procedures courses are no different. ECDIS Ltd and the Enav Centre’s comprehensive course content is delivered by consummate professionals with extensive knowledge and experience of navigating. The result is the very best training available anywhere in the world.”
Natalie Robson, an instructor at ECDIS Ltd, says: “The VSTEP software has proven very easy to use, flexibility, ability to integrate with multiple ECDIS and multiple devices, wide variety of ship models, it is a likely candidate for future equipment requirements in line with company expansion. It has now come on line as our training solution for compliance with the 2012 edition of the IMO 1.27 Model ECDIS Course. I am glad it is being used in the full-mission bridge simulator as it is so capable.”
Pjotr van Schothorst, Technical Director at VSTEP: “We are happy to be selected by ECDIS Ltd as the simulator of choice for their Full Mission Bridge Simulator. ECDIS Ltd were able to install and set up the simulator with minimal assistance, which proves the ease of use of our software. ECDIS Ltd is definitely on the right track to grow globally as high quality multi-vendor ECDIS training provider, and we are delighted to be part of their plan.”
The official opening of the Bridge Simulator took place on Friday the 26th of October, 2012.