Maritime Simulation News

(yourindustrynews.com)

Kongsberg Maritime’s Polaris Bridge Operation (Ship’s Bridge Simulator) and GMDSS simulators have received DNV certification according to new standards laid out in DNV Class A – Standard for Certification of Maritime Simulators No. 2.14 October 2007, which is based on the requirements of STCW Convention, Regulation I/12.

The approval for the Polaris Ship’s Bridge Simulator meets the standards for Bridge Operation Simulator with class notation Nautical Safety All Waters (NAUT-AW). This means it provides the highest standard for safe navigation and view from the bridge, as well as system redundancy and particular requirements for user interface in technical equipment. In addition, the notation denotes that the ship models have extensive documentation of their manoeuvring characteristics.

The approvals are valid through 09/07/2013 and join those received for Kongsberg Maritime’s Neptune Engine Room and Cargo Handling simulators in January 2008, those being the first simulators to receive approval to the new DNV standard. The new standards have been introduced to ensure that simulators present an appropriate level of physical and behavioural realism in accordance with recognised training and assessment objectives.

As with all simulation, realism is the key to ensuring that lessons learned in the class room are utilised fully whilst at sea. Kongsberg Maritime is dedicated to constantly improving the three main areas that provide a realistic training experience; physical interaction of objects; hydrodynamic models and graphical fidelity, where visual realism of all models and objects in the simulation is the goal.

“The standards in realism required to achieve the new DNV approval are very high, reflecting the graphical fidelity and computing power that is available now,” comments Amer Walayet, Product Advisor Ship’s Bridge Simulator at Kongsberg Maritime. “We continue to improve the realism of our Polaris simulators in line with technology, using commercial of the shelf components, whilst keeping ahead of the competition in terms of realism by offering regular new updates to our SeaView R5 visual system and extensive model library and scenarios.”

(bymnews.com)

Kongsberg Maritime has integrated a unique Image Calibration Tool with its SeaView R5 visual system, which provides the highly realistic scenes created and animated by the Polaris navigation simulators. The cutting-edge new tool utilises sophisticated software techniques and algorithms to greatly enhance the quality of the image displayed by the projectors in the simulator.

SeaView R5, with the new Image Calibration Tool enables the simulation projectors to provide a near seamless display. The result is a more realistic scenario for the simulator users, which in turn translates to more effective training. The tool is capable of calibrating the picture displayed by all COTS (Commercial of the Shelf) projectors, which helps to improve installation flexibility on curved screens and to potentially reduce the costs of the projectors in the system.

The tool includes features such as digital keystone and edge algorithms, pixel positioning and repositioning, and colour correction. All provide a physically accurate image to the projectors, compensating for any off-angle projection, with perfect linearity. A geometry correction tool also includes network access to all Image Generator (IG) computers in the system and full overview interface to all channels in a multi-channel bridge simulator as well as file storage and back-up.

“With the latest version of SeaView R5 including this Image Calibration Tool, blending, edge matching and so called warping of the image, gives us almost unlimited possibilities. Now Kongsberg Maritime customers requiring theatre style visuals can utilise the latest in image calibration with a majority of the low, medium and high end COTS projectors available without impacting image quality,” says Terje Heierstad, Product and Technology Manager, Simulation, Kongsberg Maritime.

(nst.com.my)

The soft opening for the RM25 million academy, the first of its kind in East Malaysia and the second in the country after the Malaysia Maritime Academy (ALAM) in Melaka, was performed by the State Minister for Environment and Public Health, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, today.

He said the academy, on a 2.8ha site, is equipped with all the facilities as required by the International Maritime Organisation.

“This include the RM1.65 million Poseidon Borealis Full Ship’s Bridge Simulator. A norwegian expert will install the hardware this month,” he said.

Wong said the academy, part of the United College Sarawak’s School of Maritime Studies, would be under the directorship of Capt Goh Chin Guan, an experienced seaman with the Shin Yang Group of Companies in Miri. Currently, 10 students have enrolled in the academy which can take in 400 trainees, he said, adding that there were hostel facilities for about 150 students.

Wong said the academy would launch a student recruitment campaign soon for a two-year diploma programme in marine engineering and nautical studies.

He said the programme graduates would receive the Malaysian Marine Department’s certificate of competency, a basic requirement for trainees who wished to serve on board ships as a marine engineer or a navigating officer.

“There is an acute shortage of qualified seafarers in Sarawak where not less than 80 percent of them are foreigners from the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar and India.

“I’m confident the academy will go a long way in contributing to adequate maritime human resource development in the state and country,” he said.

He urged the local shipping fraternity to send their personnel to study at the academy to qualify for the internationally-recognised diplomas and certificates.

Wong also thanked the state government for giving an initial grant of RM5 million and the Shin Yang Group for its significant contribution for the academy’s construction.

Earlier, in his speech, Capt Goh said seafaring offered a challenging, satisfying and a well-paid career to young men and women who could assume responsibility at an early age and wanted more from a career than the usual eight-to-five routine.

He said a qualified cadet officer can expect a basic salary of between US$5,000 to US$10,000 while a captain can draw between US$12,000 to US$15,000 a month.

The cost for the two courses is about RM39,000 excluding modular courses and living expenses, he said. Sponsorships are available for deserving students, he added.