NAUTIS Simulators Introduce Interface to PC Maritime ECDIS

VSTEP and PC Maritime have jointly developed a software interface which they say makes high quality, yet affordable ECDIS and radar training possible.

Following its radar video interface with the Kelvin Hughes and MARIS ECDIS, VSTEP’s NAUTIS bridge simulators now also connect to PC Maritime’s Navmaster ECDIS to provide training colleges with a DNV-approved generic ECDIS training installation.

The VSTEP/PC Maritime bridge simulators can be provided as software only to run on standard PCs, or with hardware consoles up to Full Mission Bridge Simulators. The range is designed for nautical colleges and company training centers in compliance with the latest STCW requirements.

Navmaster ECDIS displays the NAUTIS radar video as an overlay on the chart view, satisfying an IMO recommendation in the new ECDIS Model Course 1.27, July 2012. In a classroom set-up, one instructor can provide a large number of trainee stations with radar video and NMEA data input, while showing the outside view and navigation instruments on other screens. The Navmaster ECDIS software has exactly the same functionality as the integrated, IMO type-approved onboard equivalent.

Pjotr van Schothorst, VSTEP’s CTO, said, “The development of the software interface went really smoothly. Students can now see what happens if the GPS position of their vessel is not accurate: the radar overlay image shows the coastline at a slightly shifted location compared to the chart. They learn to respond to that, and take it into account during their navigation and maneuvering. This helps prevent accidents.”

Jan van der Vee, Senior Consultant at Wallem Training, said, “We chose the NAUTIS Full Mission Bridge Simulator because it is fully certified by DNV and offers high quality training at an affordable price. Each student station has three outside view displays and a corresponding radar overlay image on PC Maritime’s Navmaster ECDIS. These simulators give our students an excellent tool to learn all about ECDIS and how it is used on board.”

Any IMO Type-Approved ECDIS can be interfaced with NAUTIS through NMEA 0183, including display of AIS data. VSTEP has special arrangements for maritime schools with Kelvin Hughes, MARIS and PC Maritime Navmaster for the provision of their ECDIS software bundled with NAUTIS at an attractive price level.

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