Rtm Star Center News

RTM STAR Center® (Simulation, Training, Assessment and Research) has installed what it dubs the world's first Full Mission Diesel Electric Simulator. It is referred to as the DE III. The simulator is located at STAR Center's Dania Beach, Fla., facility and is based on a previous design by Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems. This simulator however has enhanced mechanical and electrical systems enabling it to meet the demanding STCW '95 requirements for Class "A" full mission simulation. The simulator is based on a large cruise ship requiring 40 MW of power at 6,600 volts. There are four diesel generator sets each rated at 11 MW connected to two 14 MW synchronous propulsion motors. In addition there are four thrusters (two forward and two aft) and two 600 KW emergency generators.

RTM STAR (Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research) Center announced that it has upgraded its 360º Bridge Simulator. The image generation system now features the Simfusion 4500Q with photo-textured graphics, and the projector system has been replaced by Christie 3-chip Digital Light Processing (DLP) with soft-edge blending provided by 3D Perception.

RTM STAR (Simulation, Training, Assessment and Research) Center has announced the upgrade and modernization of their 247 degree “field-of-view” Full Mission Bridge Simulator. The simulator is located at STAR Center’s Dania Beach, Fla., facility and is based on a design by Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems Inc. (KMSS). Following the successful upgrade of STAR Center’s 360 bridge with the Litton Sperry 2100 Integrated Bridge System in 1999, STAR Center is proud to announce the upgrade of its other Full Mission Bridge Simulator. The 247° Full Mission Bridge Simulator has been upgraded with KMSS equipment and features the capability to simulate Azipod® equipped vessels in addition to other traditional propulsion systems.

RTM STAR Center® has resolved a dispute concerning a competitor’s unauthorized use of STAR Center copyrighted training manuals. The resolution of the dispute included payment of damages and termination of all use of the infringing training manuals. STAR Center is satisfied with the resolution of the dispute.

RTM Star (Simulation Training, Assessment & Research Center) has received USCG approval for its 80-hour Advanced Shiphandling Course. The objective of this course is to provide students with theory and training in shiphandling and to satisfy company, national and international regulations for candidates for certification as master or chief mate as follows: STCW Code A-II/2 Maneuvering and Handle a Ship in all Conditions; and USCG 46 CFR 10.910 Table 10.910-2 Ship Maneuvering and Handlin

Carnival Cruise Lines has signed a contract with RTM STAR (Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research) Center, to provide five-day simulator based training programs in Bridge Resource Management (STCW '95 compliant, U.S. Coast Guard, Bahamas and Panama approved), AZIPOD training, Advanced Shiphandling, and Command Shiphandling to Carnival Officers. The courses have been developed, updated and customized to include the latest ship platforms and Carnival specific operating areas. The most up-to-date materials in the subject areas of team building, situational awareness, effective communications, stress management, fatigue, and cultural diversity will be included in the course text. Exercises using the full mission simulation create a "learning-by-doing" atmosphere.

RTM STAR Center® has been awarded a contract to perform a simulator-based study by TMM (Transportacion Maritima Mexicana), in cooperation with various cruise lines to investigate access by conventionally propelled vessels, as well as AZIPOD® propelled vessels at the inside berth (eastern side of the pier). These types of vessels were chosen because they are a good representation of the ships that may utilize the docking facilities now and in the future at Cozumel. STAR Center provided a geographical model of the port of Cozumel that accurately depicted the piers, shoreline, aids to navigation, and other distinctive features to ensure a high level of fidelity during the simulation exercises.

Throggs Neck, N.Y. U.S. 300 Steamboat Rd. Kings Point, N.Y. RTM STAR Center-Ft. Dania Beach, Fla. New York, N.Y. New Orleans, La. P.O. Vallejo, Calif. Westland GeoProjects Ltd. EX23 8BR, U.K.

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.

Imagine having your employer inform you that your only two-week vacation all year will be spent sitting in training courses to revamp or add to your skill base as an officer. Most would more than likely offer a collective groan of discontent by this suggestion since they often spend more than four months at sea in one given shot. Time spent away from relaxation with their families is precious to these individuals as it is hard to come by. Therefore RTM Star (Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research) Center, located in Dania Beach, Fla. And Toledo, Ohio, strives to give students who come to the training center an atmosphere that exudes a "home away from home" environment. Driving along the industrious thoroughfare of U.S.

American Bureau of Shipping Consulting (ABS Consulting) has certified RTM STAR Center’s Tankship Liquefied Gases course as meeting all the requirements of the Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operators, Ltd. (SIGTTO), LNG Shipping Suggested Competency Standards. This makes RTM STAR Center the first and only training organization in the U.S.A., and one of only eight organizations in the world, to be accredited or certified as meeting the SIGTTO standards. The certification process by ABS Consulting included a gap analysis and in-depth review of all student and instructor training materials followed by a rigorous 2-day onsite audit by a team of ABS auditors and LNG experts.

MARITIME SECURITY AUDITOR (ISPS): Maritime security training for ship managers, port facilities, shipboard personnel, and yachts. This module provides trainees with detailed knowledge and understanding of the ISPS Code, thus allowing them to conduct the annually mandated internal security audits. This interactive, classroom training course will provide an overview of the ISPS Code and the most prominent interpretations being enforced that affect all ship types; explain the ISPS Code’s functional requirements and their implications for a company, also contrasting them to the US Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA); list and explain the ISPS Code’s detailed security requirements…

MPRI, a leader in maritime simulator products, services and turnkey training facilities, sold its SAfeCargo Liquid Cargo Handling Simulators (LCHS) in some of the world's top maritime academies, including its first three in the United States. Within the last two months SAfeCargo simulators have been adopted by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, the State University of New York Maritime Academy in the Bronx and Belgium-based Antwerp Maritime Academy. In November the RTM STAR Center in Dania Beach, Fla., will also install the system. "We purchased the SAfeCargo Liquid Cargo Handling Simulators from MPRI primarily for their ease of use by both the students and the instructors," said Craig Dalton, Captain, Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

RTM Star Center, a leading training center, is currently building a 2,000-sq.-ft. Curriculum Development Facility. Located adjacent to the existing 10-acre campus, the facility will be specially designed with a soundproof multimedia production studio; offer a curriculum development library and conference room; offer a multimedia classroom, consisting of 12 student stations with individual computers, videotaping capability for instruction in areas such as STCW and simulator train-the-trainer; and individual office and modules positions for the center’s seven full-time and five part-time adjunct curriculum and program developers.

Silversea Cruises Ltd., Fort Lauderdale, and Clipper Cruise Line, St. Louis, have signed training and licensing contracts with RTM STAR Center. STAR Center is a maritime simulation, training, assessment and research facility headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, and is ISO 9001 Certified. Silversea Cruises, an ultra luxury, all-suite cruise line that travels worldwide, will receive training in Bridge Team Management and Elementary First Aid. As part of its commitment to continuing education, Silversea's deck officers will receive extensive practice on STAR Center's 360 degree full mission simulation bridge during the five-day USCG-approved Bridge Team Management course.

The State of Alaska Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development awarded RTM Star Center a four-year contract for a simulator based marine pilot performance evaluation system. The Star Center program will be simulator-based and include training in shiphandling skills, the American Pilot's Association-approved Bridge Resource Management and Automatic Radar Plotting Aids. Alaska state-licensed pilots will train at the Ft. Lauderdale facility on its full mission 360 degree bridge simulator. They will develop increased competence in the skills necessary to recognize and break potential error chains that can lead to groundings, collisions and environmental damage. All pilots will become familiar with the Star Center simulator through participation in practice simulations.

RTM STAR (Simulation, Training, Assessment and Research) Center has announced the upgrade and modernization of its 247-degree “field-of-view” Full Mission Bridge Simulator. The simulator is located at STAR Center’s Dania Beach, Fla., facility and is based on a design by Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems Inc. (KMSS). Following the successful upgrade of STAR Center’s 360 bridge with the Litton Sperry 2100 Integrated Bridge System in 1999, STAR Center is proud to announce the upgrade of its other Full Mission Bridge Simulator. The 247° Full Mission Bridge Simulator has been upgraded with KMSS equipment and features the capability to simulate Azipod equipped vessels in addition to other traditional propulsion systems.