New Simulation Complex for Dunkirk Pilot Station

Transas informs it has installed the fifth simulator for high-level training for pilots who operate in the port of Dunkirk in France. The pilot station is now equipped with the latest generation of the Transas navigational simulator Navi-Trainer Professional 5000, which capabilities allow to steer any kind of ship in combination with any propulsion and steering system available on the market, Transas said.

The compact simulator version was particularly adapted to the Dunkirk station's budget and training objectives. Vertical field of view was optimized by using two rows of big LED screens and totally new consoles design. Fifteen 55-inch screens with 210 degrees of visualization give pilots an impression of a realistic situation. Center console can be turned 90 degrees on each side to recreate a perfect bridge wing viewing position when pilots need it. A large space was allocated to the instructor and debriefing area, where all the simulator data is available for intensive playback sequences: tracks and trends contours, radar video, 3D selective visual channels, bridge CCTV, audio and video recording.

The project initially started in 2008 with the development of the Dunkirk harbor and Calais ferry terminals. Small groups of pilots, trained by Transas, collected and sorted all the original data. More than 20,000 photos of each objects, buildings and landmarks were made in the environment of the port of Dunkirk and its surroundings. Each of the objects was precisely located by GPS in order to create the specific high level day and night texturing simulation areas, based on information from the Dunkirk station electronic navigational charts. The Transas Model Wizard software suite was used for the area development as the pilot station invested in this latest tool version to maintain and upgrade their gaming area. The shots of the objects were incorporated into the software to obtain an accurate digital map of the port, so that the instructor can simulate any situation and create all types of weather condition. The final 3D database of figures is one of the most ultra-realistic environment and a faithful visual reality ever made for pilotage training purposes.

The simulation complex allows to anticipate the changes in the port environment, model safe navigation and improve docking conditions depending on the vessel size, which has a recent tendency to increase. It also enables trainings on deep sea and coastal navigation, automatic radar plotting aid, electronic chart display and information system, automatic identification system, and on special operations like PPU, pilot boats, tug, escort tugs, Azipod, emergency maneuvers and more.

The official opening ceremony of the simulation complex was attended by various authorities and representatives of all major French pilot stations.

Dunkirk pilot station commented, "This new training tool developed and delivered by Transas will allow pilots to anticipate ship handling trainings in all weather conditions in our large industrial port area including lochs and new berthing places. We already modeled the implementation of the new LNG terminal even before it was built to accommodate under the best safety conditions the first LNG tanker call planned for the last quarter of 2015."