Trevor Dobbins News

FRC International launched the innovative ‘DYNAV’ dynamic navigation system for high speed craft at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden in October. The DYNAV launch event enabled attendees from Scandinavia and Europe to come together with the objective of improving seafarer safety, operational performance and interoperability on fast craft. Professional sectors organizations included Search & Rescue, Navy, Special Forces, Coast Guard, law enforcement, maritime pilots, maritime legislators, training organisation and boat builders.

FRC International is launching the innovative DYNAV (DYnamic NAVigation) system for high speed craft at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, October 29-30. All individuals and organizations operating planing craft from SAR, navy, special forces, coast guard, law enforcement, renewables and the commercial sector are invited to attend the DYNAV launch event. This will be an excellent opportunity for international RIB & HSC professionals, boat builders, equipment manufacturers and industry to come together with the objective of improving sefarer safety on fast craft.

The American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) will host the High Performance Craft (HiPer Craft) Forum on June 19-20, 2013 at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk, Va. •    Dr. •    Dr. •    Mr. •    Mr. •    Mr. Jonathan Hill, AMRINA, AFNI, Training Director at FRC International Ltd and Trident Marine Ltd. •    CAPT D.B. •    Mr. Dave Menna, Donald L. Blount & Associates, Inc. •    Mr. •    Dr. •    Mr. •    Dr. Trevor Dobbins, STResearch Ltd. •    Mr. Tyler Brand, President, StrongWake Ltd. •    Mr. •    Ms. •    Mr. Walt Pullar, Chief Executive Officer, RMGS, Inc.

FRC International will host CSI 2013 - Crew Systems Integration conference from July 2-4, 2013 at RNLI Lifeboat College, Poole, U.K. The international conference includes over 20 presentations focusing on nine integrated topics for the RIB and high speed craft sector. Dr. Trevor Dobbins, Technical Director of FRC International, said, “The CSI concept brings together integrated topics which can improve RIB & HSC operations. Crew Systems Integration (CSI) is now a recognized requirement for many maritime organizations and CSI 2013 will cover a wide range of solutions for the professional sector.

Human Systems Integration (HSI) is a recognized requirement for many organizations. This is rapidly becoming more important as the professional RHIB and high speed craft sector are required to perform increasingly complex tasks. The objective is for marine units to deal with new scenarios, make fast decisions and implement them using high speed craft and specialist equipment to achieve successful outcomes. Crew-Systems Integration (CSI) brings together all these elements for the fast boat sector.

There are many myths surrounding WBV measurement and analysis on fast craft. FRC International has developed a one day course that is easy to understand and delivers the latest information to support vibration exposure assessment, EC compliance and exemption applications. The FRC Motion Analysis Course has been developed in association with Dr Tom Gunston and Dr Trevor Dobbins, two of the worlds leading experts on Repeated Shock (RS) and Whole Body Vibration (WBV) exposure on RIBs and fast craft.

The professional maritime sector recognizes the need to reduce the effects of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) but this is not a straightforward process for those operating planing craft. These vessels can expose crews and passengers to high levels of repeated shock and vibration which has been shown to increase the risk of injury. In flat sea conditions there is vibration from the engine, gearbox and shaft but the crew and passengers are not exposed to harmful vibration. All fast boat operators know that waves change everything.

FRC International has developed a unique training course and qualification for the professional maritime sector. The Test Coxswain course is designed for both experienced crew members and technical staff who support both the specification and Test & Evaluation (T&E) of high performance craft. As the complexity and cost of high speed craft increases it has become more important that these craft are fit-for-purpose. Assessment needs to be objective, valid and reliable. Gone are the days of an individual coxswain saying ‘that's OK’ to approve an acquisition worth millions of Dollars.