Simulator Center News

Furetank turned a former office building into a maritime educational center on Donsö outside Gothenburg: a state-of-the-art ship simulator complex for training, assessment and certification. Starting in the summer of 2023 it will be available for the shipping cluster on Donsö as well as external organizations.Furetank has ordered a large range of new-built vessels to be delivered in the coming years, and crewing these ships is a challenge. The new simulator center is seen as helping to alleviate some training bottlenecks…

Offshore installation specialist Jan De Nul Group has ordered a high-end crane simulator for two of its Next Generation Offshore Installation Vessels Voltaire and Les Alizés.According to Jan De Nul, the crane simulator will be based on real physics and the actual vessel models, enabling Jan De Nul to train its crewmembers and realistically simulate complex offshore installations in a completely safe environment, in the most severe conditions. The partner for the development of this simulator is the Norway-based company OSC AS (previously known as Offshore Simulator Centre).

Tug Training & Consultancy (TTC) and Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy (ADMA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a long term strategic partnership. The MoU encompasses exclusive training of hundreds of (tug) masters and captains in the Middle East Region by certified trainers of TTC at ADMA’s state of the art facilities.Facing the increasing demand for qualified maritime professionals, ADMA is seeking ways to safeguard its best-in-class training for which the organization is renowned.TTC fulfills this requirement…

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has announced the appointment of Ingrid Solvberg as Director for the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea, replacing Bente Nyland.According to a note from NPD, Sølvberg was appointed by the King in Council on 11 October. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has not yet set the date for the transition.The director general position in the NPD is posted as a fixed term engagement of six years, with the option of an additional six-year period. Bente Nyland’s second term period will expire at the end of the year.She congratulates Ingrid Sølvberg on her new job saying: “This is one of the most exciting jobs in the petroleum activities. I’ve looked forward to going to work every single day.

With a range of dignitaries in attendance, Simwave will officially open its 5,000-square-meter maritime training center in Barendrecht on April 19. The three hundred guests will take a look behind the scenes at the new location, which houses more than 50 simulators. The center has already been in use for some time now. The 'site acceptance test' was successfully completed on January 29th, in collaboration with the supplier of the simulators, the Norwegian company Kongsberg Digital.

Falck Safety Services and Simwave are joining forces to serve the maritime and oil and gas industries with combined simulation and practical training. For more than 30 years, Falck Safety Services has offered safety training for the offshore, maritime and wind industries. On November 8th, Simwave will open its doors to the most advanced maritime simulator center in the world. This co-operation means that customers will be able to undertake simulation training at Simwave to complement the training at one of the training centers of Falck Safety Services.

Shipbuilder MV WERFTEN has completed its first newbuild project, having today delivered Crystal Bach, the first of four new Rhine Class luxury river cruise vessels for Crystal River Cruises. Designed specifically for river cruising in Europe, the 135-meter-long and 11.4-meter-wide Crystal Bach will sail along the Rhine, Danube and Main Rivers through the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, carrying up to 106 passengers in 55 large suites, all designed to be above the water line with horizontal sliding windows.

BMT Ship & Coastal Dynamics, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has announced new enhancements to its marine navigation and maneuvering simulator, REMBRANDT, used globally by pilot organizations, shipping companies, naval architects, civil marine engineers and port authorities. Separate controls for setting wind, wave and swell wave parameters have been introduced. By allowing independent control of these features, more realistic scenarios can be examined – a feature of particular relevance for offshore simulations, as well as certain critical port approach maneuvers, BMT noted.

The Maritieme Academie Holland has selected VSTEP as simulator partner for its new Inland Navigation Center in Harlingen, signing a deal that includes the purchase of a Full Mission Inland Navigation Simulator and three Inland console trainers. The simulator center will be the first to provide simulator training in full accordance with the requirements for Inland simulators by the Central Commission for the Navigation on the Rhine (CCNR). Last month, Maritieme Academie Harlingen…

To better support marine customers in South America, Rolls-Royce has opened a new training center in Brazil, to cater for customers operating the large number of vessels with Rolls-Royce systems that work in country’s deep water oil and gas fields. The center is located at the existing Rolls-Royce Marine Services site in Niteroi, just outside of Rio de Janeiro. It will provide a wide range of training programs, initially in support of winch and dynamic positioning (DP) operations…

A new Offshore Simulator Center (OSC) is being finalized  in Aalesund, Norway to provide advanced training in offshore ship operations. The new facilities are located in a 'Norwegian Competence Center building' next to the Aalesund University College. The building contains several futuristic constructions, such as a 13.5m diameter aluminium dome for the offshore operations simulators, and two 4m diameter spherical domes for crane simulation. When finalized, the new centre will consist of one Offshore Operation Simulator…

Kongsberg Maritime's simulation division has signed a new contract to deliver a range of offshore simulators to the newly founded Haugesund Simulatorcenter in Norway. The contract, which was signed on 16 June 2010 is for the 2011 delivery of a 360 degree visual offshore vessel simulator with interface to a range of specialized task simulators for team training of complex offshore operations. The offshore vessel simulator, which includes a main bridge with forward DNV class A and aft bridge configuration, is fully equipped with anchor handling and Dynamic Positioning (DP) functionalities.

Starlight Marine Services has implemented a successful training program in the Tractor Tug Simulator at the California Maritime Academy. Since January, California Maritime Academy and Starlight Marine Services have joined forces and worked hard to develop a Tractor Tug Simulator Program using their newly constructed Simulator Center. It has been the goal of Starlight Marine Services to develop a Simulation Program that would encompass Crisis Management, Bridge Resource Management…

On Nov. 7 Bourbon inaugurated its Training Center Asia and its AHTS simulator in Singapore in the premises of Bourbon Offshore Asia. The opening of this second Bourbon Training Center in Asia follows the opening of the Manila’s (Philippines) center in October 2007 dedicated to Dynamic Positioning (DP). This Bourbon Training Center includes an AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel) simulator that represents a technological advance and an opportunity for Bourbon and the marine industry as a whole to raise its operational, safety and quality standards. The Bourbon Training Center Asia aims to train all AHTS crew members of Bourbonr who are based in Asia. It is designed to provide seamen with the theoretical knowledge and practical training in anchor handling operations.

Captain George McShea, VP operations; and training director Frank Lee have announced that Polar Marine is sending its AB’s to MarineSafety International (MSI) San Diego to become proficient as Radar Observers and ARPA operators. This new and unique approach was developed by Polar Marine to enable their Able Bodied (AB) seamen to better participate as watchstanders on their Millennium tankers. The Polar Endeavor Class vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS). The well-trained ABs will assure optimum utilization of the IBS and further increase the safety of ship operations. When underway, the ABs’ stand a lookout watch day and night on the ship’s Bridge.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) today announced 2003 fiscal year metrics, ending in September. These metrics indicate that the ACP's recent operational and capital improvements continue to yield positive results, with the Canal safer and more efficient than it has ever been in its 89-year history. Year-end statistics reveal an increase in tonnage flow through the Canal and a reduction in Canal Waters Time (CWT), the average time it takes a vessel to navigate the Canal including waiting time for passage. Furthermore, safety has improved on the waterway, with a significant decline in accidents in 2003, compared with those registered in 2002 and 2001.

McAllister Docking Pilots and Tug Operators attended a two-day Tractor Tug Operations training course October 8-9, 2004 at MSI's Newport Simulator Center. The class focused on the capabilities and limitations of Azimuthing Stern Drive Tugs and Voith-Schneider Propulsion. The training was split between classroom and simulator time; interactive simulators were used to reinforce the learning points. The principle instructor for the course was Captain Vic Schisler, an active Jacobsen Pilot from Long Beach, California.

Maneuvering trials and Shiphandling training for Guayanilla, Puerto Rico Masters, Pilots and tug Masters were conducted at MarineSafety International's Newport Simulator Center April 17 - 20 and July 5 - 7, 2000. The port of Guayanilla was modeled, including a new LNG terminal to accommodate large, deep draft ships entering the port for the first time. The objectives of the trials were to give the mariners an opportunity to gain experience handling large LNG ships in their restricted harbor. Docking operations were conducted as well at the new LNG facility. Safety margins were assessed under challenging wind conditions and with different tug configurations.

Maneuvering trials and Shiphandling training for Guayanilla, Puerto Rico Masters, Pilots and tug Masters were conducted at MarineSafety International's Newport Simulator Center April 17 - 20 and July 5 - 7, 2000. The port of Guayanilla was modeled, including a new LNG terminal to accommodate large, deep draft ships entering the port for the first time. The objectives of the trials were to give the mariners an opportunity to gain experience handling large LNG ships in their restricted harbor. Docking operations were conducted as well at the new LNG facility. Safety margins were assessed under challenging wind conditions and with different tug configurations.

The pressures - political, financial and environmental -to ensure onboard personnel are skillfully trained at operating increasingly complex vessels is tremendous. Simply stated, vessel owners and operators must employ increasingly advanced training courses - both system- and vessel-specific - as well as general courses, in order to avoid costly accidents and litigation. In just the past few years, mariners have proven these courses work, as the amount of oil spilled into the sea has decreased dramatically. According to the USCG, in 1990, tankbarges moved 72 billion gallons of oil, spilling 992,000 gallons, or one-one millionth of a percent.

Pilots from the port of Altamira, Mexico, attended special training at MarineSafety International's Newport Simulator Center from October 1 to 5, 2007. The training used a full mission bridge as an LNG carrier and a smaller simulator as a 55 tonne ASD tug. The exercises were interactive, with the pilot on the LNG carrier giving orders directly to the tug master. port personnel, who also attended the course. dock. terminal going into operation in August of 2006. personnel working at the new Altamira LNG terminal. shipments, without incident.

premises in Rotterdam. STC is the largest maritime training institution in Holland and one of the world leaders in educational and training programs for operational and management functions in shipping, transport and logistics. The institution has 3500 students and offers over 2000 different course modules. In September this year, the organization will move into new seaside premises in Rotterdam, which boast a 2,300 sq. m. state-of-the-art simulator center. Based on a MAN B&W 5l90MC, the high-end operational engine room simulator replicates a very large crude carrier with a slow speed turbo charged diesel engine and is modeled with a fixed controllable propeller. The electrical plant includes 2 diesel generators, one turbo generator/motor and one 180 kW emergency generator.

Glen Paine, Executive Director of the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS), announced the successful completion of MITAGS’ annual Det Norske Veritas (DNV) audit. In 1997, MITAGS earned the distinction of being the first maritime training institution in the United States, and the second in the world, to be certified by DNV under their Maritime Training and Simulator Center Classification Rules. Under these rules, DNV determined that the MITAGS training management system complies with national and international training management requirements, including elements of the ISO 9000 classification series. To maintain this certification, a rigorous review is conducted by DNV on a yearly basis. During the course of this inspection, Mr.