Port Ash News

Nine officers from HMAS Sirius have attended a three-day course at Port Ash Ship Handling Training and Research Centre recently to improve their mariner skills. The centre, which is two hours north of Sydney, uses model ships on a man-made lake to teach ship control at low speeds in open, confined and shallow waters, with and without tug assistance. The manned model ships behave just like full-size ships, experiencing squat, interaction, and shallow water and bank effects in the same manner. Planned manoeuvring, natural wind and artificially generated currents allow students to experience all the effects of ship handling in a controlled and safe environment.

Botany Bay was replicated for an Australian-first marine emergency training exercise that Sydney Pilot Service commissioned for four of its pilots. The wholly owned subsidiary of Sydney Ports Corporation recently conducted the new commercial Advanced Manned Model Pilot Training program at the Australian Ship Handling Centre at Port Ash. Participants had to pilot model ships, 1/25th the size of an actual ship, through simulated emergencies within the replicated Botany Bay. The bay was recreated using buoys, beacons, piles and temporary wharf lines.