What is a Bridge Simulator? | Maritime Simulation Training

Author: Captain Christine Klimkowski, MBA, MITAGS Instructor
Editors: Catie Gianelloni, NSAP® Manager, Lead Simulator Operator (East Coast) & Instructor,
and Colleen Schaffer, P.E., Director of System Engineering & Coastal Engineer

A bridge or ship simulator is a system of computers, screens, hardware and software that simulates vessels, ports, weather conditions, and traffic patterns for train, judgment and inquiry. Full mission bridge simulators are constructed to replicate the physical environment of a ship ’ sulfur pilothouse or bridge and its controls. Let ’ s take an in-depth search at how simulators are used and the simulation facilities at MITAGS .

What is a Bridge Simulator Used For?

Bridge simulators are used for the discipline and assessment of mariners and for the inquiry and development of ports, waterways and vessels.

Bridge simulators are used for the development of practical, hands-on skills within a control environment. Skills like ship treat, application of the rules of the road, bridge resource and team management, and best practices and use of tools during a watch can not be taught in the classroom alone. Bridge simulators allow students to apply classroom determine in scenarios that simulate real-life by practicing complex maneuvers with real-time mentorship and guidance from experience subject matter experts. Simulators can besides be used to assess a student ’ south learning or assess a candidate ’ mho suitability for a job .
At MITAGS, we besides use the simulator for fender exams and the Navigation Skills Assessment Program ( NSAP ) ®. The Navigation Skills Assessment Program ( NSAP ) ® is a risk-based measurement tool to assess a mariner ’ second performance in the simulator, focused specifically on the kernel skills required of accredited deck officers as defined by external standards and diligence best practices. Trained and qualified subject matter experts assess each NSAP® session, which use realistic scenario-based exercises, geared toward the license flat of the participant and the sector of the industry they are presently working in .
At MITAGS we besides use the simulator to inquiry the viability and guard of ports, waterways and vessels, deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as accident refreshment. With local stakeholders and our own experts, we help ports determine if proposed exploitation projects such as dredge, fresh docks or terminals can be safely utilized and what amendments would be utilitarian .

The Benefits of Bridge Simulators in Training

The benefits of bridge simulators are multifold. Simulators allow one to create scenarios all over the global with a wide variety show of vessels. At MITAGS we maintain more than 300 vessel models and over 80 port areas. Our suite of vessels consists of tugboats, tankers, ferries, cruise ships, naval vessels, containerships and more. Our port areas cover the globe and can include nominate fresh construction areas. This kind of ship models and port areas provide access to a wide stove of aim, assessment, and research opportunities, including the ability to create highly naturalistic multi-vessel exercises ( i.e. large ships and tugs working together during a complex maneuver in a narrow channel ) .
Within a model scenario, realistic environmental forces, such as fart, waves, and swells can be programmed to simulate substantial life conditions, worst-case scenarios, or even previous real-life incidents. With port research and development, we utilize real-time and historical meteorologic information to simulate convention upwind conditions and seasonal worker anomalies. Another benefit of simulators is the authenticity of the hydrodynamic forces of vessel-to-vessel interaction and shallow urine effects. The reality of the hydrodynamic forces creates ships that handle and interact as they do in real-life .
Through equipping our simulators with audio and video recording systems, we provide in-depth software documentation of your train and testing. This besides gives MITAGS the ability to about share this information and associate with clients around the earth in observation of simulations which then include real-time discussions on outcomes of a maneuver. extra features logged by our report system include interactional forces, vessel place, the six degrees of exemption of gesticulate, under keel clearance and squat, rush, and more. These record tools are enormously beneficial when debriefing exercises with students. Our coverage system allows us to compare simulation runs for analysis. With our chart and television camera watch playback tools, you can view your recording aboard this information at any lean or distance .
Since a variety of vessels, ports and meteorologic conditions can be simulated, students and clients can experience challenge situations safely and without risk. This tractability besides allows students and clients to experience situations that they may not encounter regularly in real life.

What it’s Like to Use MITAGS Simulation Facilities

At our east coast campus, we have two 360-degree Full-Mission Ship Handling Simulators, one 120-degree Bridge Tug Simulator, three 300-degree Bridge Full-Mission Tug Simulators. At our west seashore campus, we have a 240-degree Full-Mission Bridge Simulator and two 300-degree Full-Mission Tug Simulators. We utilize the latest Wärtsilä ( Transas ) operating system to run our simulators. Wärtsilä is renowned for its exceeding ocular graphics acuity and in-house hydrodynamic teams, and their pretense software offers many alone features that can not be found in similar products offered by other model providers. Our full-mission simulators can be used on their own or networked together. With the simulators networked together, the multiple simulators can operate in the lapp scenario allowing the vessels to interact with one another in actual prison term. This is specially utilitarian during building complex maneuvers and research projects .
To provide you with an immersive learn experience, all the equipment of our full-mission bridge simulators is reactive and includes : VHF Radios, NaviSailor 3000 / 4000 Electronic Chart Display and Information System ( ECDIS ), ARPA, Radar, Trimble and JRC GPS, Autopilot with Track Control, Dynamic Positioning and more. Our simulators can be configured with a kind of propulsion controls including Voith Schneider and azipods .
In addition to simulators, each campus hosts respective simulation debriefing rooms. These debrief rooms allow for in-person discussion and the screening of simulation recordings. Each debriefing room has the like information displayed as the full-mission simulators and screens for viewing the bridge video recording in real-time. These debrief rooms allow extra observers and assessors to view the model without crowding the simulator .

Access High-Quality Maritime Training With MITAGS

MITAGS has been delivering a wide-eyed range of nautical education and pretense programs for over forty years. It was an early believer in adopting Det Norske Veritas ( DNV ) Quality Systems for maritime train and simulation courses. MITAGS was one of the first schools to integrate simulation into nautical train programs. Many of the MITAGS advanced courses served as models for the development of Standards of Training Certification of Watchkeeping ( STCW-95 and Amendments ). MITAGS is among the leading providers of continuing education and train services for state pilots and deep-draft shipmasters and deck officers .
MITAGS has built on this cognition to provide sophisticate simulation services with specialties in the areas of custom full-mission embark model databases and models for operational research
sealed courses are approved by the U. S. Coast Guard as meeting the STCW Operational and Management grade requirements. other courses are approved by the american Pilots ’ Association ( APA ), and Military Sealift Command ( MSC ). additionally, The Maryland Higher Education Commission ( MHEC ) and the Washington State Vocation Training Board provide oversight.

Learn more about MITAGS train and facilities by contacting an adviser today .
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