Maritime Simulation News

(fishupdate.com)

ABERDEEN Harbour Board is to upgrade its ship’s bridge simulator to reflect industry trends and to meet its own and third party requirements for future training.

Since the original simulator was installed at the Board’s Blaikies Quay facility in 2002 at a cost of £150,000, it has been used extensively in the training of Board pilots and other marine staff in port operations and emergency scenarios.

It is also being used increasingly on a commercial basis for training and assessing pilots from other ports and crews of offshore oil industry safety standby vessels.

The simulator is to be relocated to the Board’s new Marine Operations Centre at North Pier when operating software and some of the hardware will be upgraded.

The Board’s Operations Director & Harbour Master, Captain Ray Shaw, said: “The simulator is a valuable tool, and we expect to undertake more in-house training in the future. The enhanced equipment will make an increased contribution to operations and safety at the port, and also to marine activities undertaken by others.”

The improved graphics will give a far more realistic appearance to the display on a curved screen, while the addition of new, reversible vessel controls will allow ship models to be operated from both ends of the wheelhouse and will reflect the equipment installed on modern oil support vessels and tugs.

An additional smaller ship’s bridge is also to be added, allowing training to include the interaction between a large vessel and a tug or a standby vessel and her daughter craft.
The upgrade is costing around £150,000, with the contract for the work awarded to Transas Marine.

(bymnews.com)

The Kongsberg Maritime European User Conference 2006 (UC 2006) took place on the island of Vlieland, Holland, June 22nd ““ 24th. Over 70 delegates from training institutes around Europe attended the conference, which is one of three held every year as a forum for discussion of maritime training and simulation.

UC 2006 was co-hosted by the Maritime Institute Willem Barents at Terschelling. The theme of the conference was Simulation and the Return On Investment, which reflects Kongsberg Maritime’s efforts to create simulation systems that maximise its customers return on investment.

The two day conference started with an introduction by Mark Treen, Sales & Marketing Manager, Kongsberg Maritime Simulation, and Captain Stephen Cross, Schools Director, Maritime Institute Willem Barents. This was followed by live demonstrations on the impressive suite of Kongsberg Maritime simulators at the Institute.

The day also featured specific customer user experiences, a discussion on the new ‘floating’ licence for desktop simulators and a presentation by former Kongsberg Maritime simulation expert, Per Branstad on the evolution of maritime training. It was rounded off with a technology briefing by senior personnel on the mathematical aspects of advanced modelling and high-end simulation.

Day two started with in-depth presentations by Kongsberg Maritime simulator users on specific simulation areas including fast ferry and ownship to ownship tugging. This was followed by a close look at the new support concept for Kongsberg Maritime simulation, the Long Term System Support Program (LTSSP), which has been designed to ensure continuous simulator availability.

The day also featured a presentation on distance learning and separate product workshops, which gave simulator users the chance to discuss at length the direction of the next generation of simulator product enhancements. This consultative process has proven extremely successful as it enables Kongsberg Maritime to ensure a minimal functionality gap between customer expectation and future products.

“The User Conference provides the platform for open dialogue, an opportunity to guide our future innovation and to share industry related issues amongst the key players,” comments Mark Treen, Sales and Marketing Manager, Kongsberg Maritime. “The success of this year’s conference is testimony to the efforts of the many hands and heads that made it possible, and of course, the quality and enthusiasm of the delegates that keep returning, time and again.”

Konsgberg Maritime will hold two more simulator Users Conferences in 2006, in Asia and the USA.

(usatoday.com)

RENO (AP) “” As a teenager, Ryan Leigh loved video games.

He still does, but some things have changed. Leigh has grown up. His games are serious.

Leigh is a graduate student in computer science at the University of Nevada, Reno, developing software programs for the Navy that simulate everything from terrorist attacks in the Persian Gulf to erratic sail boats on San Diego Bay.

“I play games and I work on them,” Leigh said. “The circle is complete.”

Leigh belongs to a team of six UNR students led by three professors that’s using sophisticated technology to improve training at the Navy’s Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, R.I.

It’s where officers serving aboard aircraft carriers, destroyers and other vessels learn to react in a variety of situations, from overseas combat to maneuvering around dozens of weekend pleasure craft in a crowded home port.

“In San Diego harbor, we’re mostly concerned with drunk boaters,” said Lt. Ryan Aleson, the computer simulations officer at the warfare school. “We have to operate in high density areas. That’s our mission.”

So, Leigh and the rest of the UNR computer team create a three-dimensional San Diego, with hundreds of boats and ships moving in different directions ?s experienced Navy captains at the helms of some, but Saturday afternoon skippers sailing the rest.

“My interest is computer games,” said Chris Miles, another of the computer science grad students. “That’s what this is, games.”

With a purpose.

“Drive a ship in a harbor with hundreds of boats without hitting anything,” said Miles, explaining the San Diego scenario. “It’s the most interesting work. These are incredible challenges.”

In other parts of the world, challenges might include suicide attackers in small boats. Anything can happen in the computer simulations. That’s the whole idea.

“We don’t want them to follow a pre-planned script,” said Aleson, who was at UNR recently to evaluate progress on the software development that started in 2003. “We’re getting to the point where we’re getting realistic behaviors.”

The Navy asked for UNR’s help because simulations were limited to what two or three instructors could control on the video screens, usually no more than 20 ships at a time. Programs created by the UNR students and teachers will allow a computer to control hundreds of vessels for a single simulation.

“The problem they have is realism,” said Sushil Louis, director of the Evolutionary Computing Systems Laboratory at UNR. “We’re giving them the ability to make it more realistic.”

So far, the Navy has spent about $2 million on the computer war games project, which UNR professors and Navy officials estimate is about two years from completion.

“We’ve already integrated it with our (training) simulator,” Aleson said of the high-tech classroom in Newport. “It’s working.”

The classroom is a mock-up of a ship’s bridge, where the captain gives orders to the crew. Software simulations, in which ships appear as computer-generated objects in video games, are shown on large screens that officers view from the bridge, as they would at sea.

Leigh has been on the bridge. To him, it seemed real.

“After a while, I actually started feeling seasick,” Leigh said.

From the bridge, naval officers play serious war games.

“We look at terrorist threats,” Aleson said. “We look at large-scale coordinated attacks.”

They also look at crowded San Diego Bay, where one of those Saturday skippers might suddenly veer into the path of a destroyer.

“We are teaching (officers) a decision-making process,” Aleson said.

Every Navy officer assigned to a ship attends the school, which has 1,000 students a year in classes lasting up to six months. Many already have been at sea. That’s why the simulations created at UNR must be realistic.

“A lot of our students have years of experience, they know how to drive ships,” Aleson said of the officers. “If you want to create real-life behaviors, there is a lot more processing a computer has to do.”

The computer-driven ships must perform as if they had human captains.

“Move and navigate just like there’s a real person behind the wheel,” said Monica Nicolescu, a professor of computer science who specializes in robotics. “Make it realistic.”

(pr.com)

Santa Clara, CA, May 23, 2006 –(PR.COM)– Real-Time Innovations, Inc. (RTI), The Real-Time Middleware Company, announced today that Force Technology chose RTI communications middleware for its latest marine tug simulator system.

Force Technology is a market leader in the design of multi-ship simulator systems. Its latest marine simulator represents a major step forward. This simulator is the world’s first system to provide a complete environment for training tugboat captains in maneuvering large vessels such as oil and gas tankers into restricted spaces using multiple tugs. This demanding, full-mission trainer application simulates in real time the dynamic configuration of up to four vessels and the resulting variables on the tow lines when handling vessels in a seaway.

Force Technology wanted to interconnect the various dynamic elements in the simulator using real-time middleware that complied with the Object Management Group (OMG’s) Data Distribution Service (DDS) for Real-Time Systems standard. This would provide a COTS-based integration environment for Force Technology’s distributed system design. The design team evaluated a number of DDS implementations before selecting RTI Data Distribution Service (formerly NDDS), which was best able to meet the critical real-time performance requirements needed by this demanding application.

“One of the key enabling technologies now emerging in the design of such distributed simulator systems is real-time middleware,” commented Peter Justesen, head of Simulation and Information Technologies at Force Technology. “Our decision to select RTI’s solution was based primarily on the performance advantage demonstrated by our technical evaluation of available DDS products.”

“The publish-subscribe paradigm of DDS enables systems to share data without having to create unique interfaces for each system. It therefore frees our developers from needing to know the internal operation of each subsystem in order to retrieve its data. All the application needs to do is to subscribe to the desired data sets and DDS does the rest,” Justesen continued. “And using standards-based interfaces such as DDS provides our designers with a COTS-based development environment that greatly simplifies system maintenance and the introduction of upgraded hardware in our operational systems without requiring a rewrite of the application software.”

“Simulators are an ideal application for the DDS standard,” stated David Barnett, vice president of Product Management at RTI. “DDS was designed specifically to ease the development of heterogeneous distributed systems such as simulators. These systems have demanding real-time data distribution requirements and incorporate a mix of computing platforms. I am delighted that Force Technology concluded that RTI was best able to meet the stringent performance requirements of its leading-edge application.”

The Full Mission Simulator for Tug Master Training — This new interactive tug simulator facility has been developed in close cooperation with SvitzerWijsmuller, one of the world’s leading tug operators. The cooperation agreement between the parties will secure the continued development of the facility and the courses. Force Technology was chosen as the preferred partner for this development due to its combination of experience in advanced ship hydrodynamics, mathematical modeling and simulation, all of which is available at the same geographical location in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The simulator offers the following features:

• Full six degrees of freedom tug and assisted ship behavior
• Tug bridge viewing of 360 degrees
• Real bridge equipment similar to a modern state-of-the-art tug
• World-class hydrodynamic mathematical models of tug and assisted ship based on extensive model tests and sea trials
• Fully coupled and interactive simulations of tug and assisted ship, including effects such as fender, towline, propeller wash interaction, radio communication and so on
• All the customary simulator effects such as wind, waves, current, varying visibility, bathymetry, and miscellaneous sound and visual effects
• Full flexibility to efficiently implement new tug designs, additional or new assisted ships designs, and additional or new operating areas (This flexibility is achieved because the simulator is completely based on Force Technology’s own simulator development, SimFlex Navigator.)

About Force Technology — Force Technology is a leading design consultancy and service provider offering a wide range of services and solutions for the international market. They transform highly specialized engineering knowledge into practical and cost-effective solutions, and provide consultancy within several areas. Force Technology is a privately owned center of expertise approved by the Danish Ministry for Research and Development as a technological service institute. Their experience with simulation technology goes back many years, and includes lay-out and design simulation, determination of safe operational limits in wind, current and waves, maneuvering and stability simulations, etc. Facilities include full-mission simulators, including bridges and tug cubicles, towing tank, and wind tunnels. Force Technology sells their simulator products to customers around the world. The company’s headquarters are located in Brøndby outside Copenhagen. They also operate subsidiaries in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, USA, Brazil and Russia. In 2004 the group’s Danish and international operations employed a staff of more than 1000 employees.

About RTI — Real-Time Innovations (RTI) supplies middleware and distributed data management solutions for real-time systems. With innovative technology and deep expertise in distributed applications, RTI provides an unequaled competitive advantage to customers developing systems that benefit from high-performance access to time-critical data. RTI solutions have been deployed in a broad range of applications including command and control, intelligence, surveillance, data fusion, simulation, industrial control, air traffic control, railway management, roadway traffic monitoring and multimedia communications. Founded in 1991, RTI is privately held and headquartered in Santa Clara, CA.

(businesswire.com)

Alion Acquires Micro Analysis & Design; Technology Solutions Firm Purchases Human Systems Integration Solution Provider.

MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 22, 2006–Alion Science and Technology, a technology solutions provider for government and industry, today announced that it has acquired Boulder, CO – based Micro Analysis & Design (MA&D), provider of human factors engineering, modeling and simulation and software development. Terms of the deal, which was completed on May 19, 2006, were not disclosed.

“The acquisition of MA&D enhances Alion’s current capabilities in human systems integration, ship design and modeling and simulation,” said Bahman Atefi, Chairman and CEO of Alion. “MA&D has been recognized for their outstanding work for the US Army and Navy as well as hospitals and industrial customers. We are looking forward to the new capabilities and technologies that they will bring to our existing skill sets,” he explained.

Scott Fry, Alion Senior Vice President and manager of the company’s JJMA Maritime Sector, added, “MA&D is the premier human systems integration company supporting the Department of Defense today. The solutions they provide can be applied to any number of situations where people interact with control systems, making the personnel and systems more efficient which can reduce both space requirements and costs.”

The president of MA&D, Ron Laughery, said that becoming part of Alion was an opportunity for the company. “Our human systems integration solutions fit into Alion’s portfolio of military manpower solutions as well as their extensive modeling capabilities. With the added resources that Alion can provide, we can not only continue to give our existing customers outstanding support, but offer them even more complete solutions while adding to our customer base,” Dr. Laughery stated.

MA&D has offices in Boulder, CO and Orlando, FL with additional personnel located at customer sites.

About Alion Science and Technology

Alion Science and Technology is an employee-owned technology solutions company delivering technical expertise and operational support to the Department of Defense, civilian government agencies and commercial customers. Building on almost 70 years of R&D and engineering experience, Alion brings innovation and insight to multiple business areas: defense operations; modeling & simulation; wireless communication; industrial technology; chemical, biological, nuclear & environmental sciences; information technology; and naval architecture & marine engineering. Based in McLean, Virginia, Alion has more than 2700 employee-owners at major offices, customer sites and laboratories worldwide. For more information, call 877.771.6252 or visit Alion online at www.alionscience.com.

(bymnews.com)

Transas is proud to announce the successful execution of the tender for the supply of the Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator (LCHS) and Engine Room Simulator (ERS) for Malaysian Maritime Academy Sdn Bhd (ALAM), Melaka. The delivery project was sponsored by Petronas Maritime Services Sdn Bhd (PMSSB), a subsidiary of Pertonas.

The contract for the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of a Full Mission Ship-handling Simulator (FMSHS) at ALAM was awarded to Transas Marine Pacific. Configuration included DNV Class A full mission bridge with nine visual channels projected to the curved screen, consoles, mock-up and a full range of dedicated hardware to simulate a real ship’s bridge environment. A further three cubicle bridges each with three visual channels, and twelve CBT Navi-Trainer Professional 4000 ‘configuration A’ bridges were provided. Even though the time from order to delivery was short, Transas also provided customization of the simulator software and ship models much to the satisfaction of ALAM.

Following this project, Transas also won the tender to supply the LCHS and ERS for the Academy. Within the shortest possible contract period the building and infrastructure was prepared and the computer system was installed. At the moment the LCHS installation includes 10 trainee workstations of LCHS 2000 (Oil Tanker, Chemical Tanker, LPG), LCHS 4000 (Oil terminal and LNG spherical) and the ERS installation includes 10 trainee workstations of ERS 4000 (Container, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro). The LCHS and ERS are installed in separate rooms but can be used for joint training. The systems include state-of-the-art Engine Room and Liquid Cargo Handling simulators incorporating a wide range of training tasks, with a typical engine room layout and a classroom for Engine Room and Liquid Cargo Handling training. The Instructor control and monitoring stations feature the latest software for exercise development, conduct, debrief and analysis.

The project requires customization of models such as Kawasaki Steam Turbine, Wartsila Sulzer marine diesel engine, LNG Membrane and VLCC meaning that the project will be completed in phases. The first phase i.e. standard PC based application for ERS and LCHS was completed. Other phases for customization of the models mentioned are scheduled for completion in stages by March 2006 and December 2006.

ALAM has always had close links to the Petronas Corporation who as a modern, forward-thinking company, exemplify the new wave of shipbuilders who place education and development at the very core of their organizations. Graduates of ALAM can progress from the lower-level position of Cadet Officer or Rating to the highest level position of Master Mariner or Chief Engineer. Having access to the full range of advanced simulator equipment from Transas in their training, graduates are assured a very bright future in a whole host of maritime related fields.

Link: Transas Pacific

(pbn.com)

The University of Rhode Island recently partnered with a marine research group and a Providence-based engineering firm to study issues of coexistence of tourism and recreational and commercial industry activities on Narragansett Bay.

The two-year, $155,000 study will be funded by a grant from the URI Transportation Center, matched by funds from the Maguire Group Inc. and Marine Safety International Inc., a port improvement researcher, which has a center in Newport.

The study will be conducted by students from the URI Graduate School of Oceanography and led by Candace Oviatt, director of URI’s Marine Ecosystems Research Lab. Co-principal investigators will be Captain Fred Bronaugh of Marine Safety and Victor Calabretta, senior vice president of operations at Maguire.

The study aims to statistically quantify peak maritime activity on the southern part of the bay. The data will then be correlated to bay shipping activity to determine issues of compatibility and coexistence. The initial catalysts for the study were the proposals for container shipping and LNG shipping on the bay, and, more recently, for efforts focused on homeland security.

According to Bronaugh, Marine Safety plans to incorporate the data from the research into its simulations and then study actual encounters between ships and recreational vessels. “This data will allow us to model reaction times to potential homeland security threats,” he added in a news release.

“We anticipate application of this data to other security activity on the bay as well,” said Calabretta. “For example, one of our study areas is immediately north of the Pell Bridge. The real-time activity data could be valuable to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority in its security studies and emergency plans. The Narragansett Bay Yacht Racing Association’s south bay racing chart shows many race courses that cross the navigation channel and go under the bridge. Using Marine Safety’s bridge simulator, we will be able to establish an actual racing scenario as it appears from the bridge of a ship, then test reaction times related to safety.”

“This research and technology transfer will dovetail very well with a companion study currently under way in the upper bay,” said Oviatt. That study, titled “Narragansett Bay Scope, an Examination of Human Interaction with the Marine Environment,” is being conducted by URI’s Department of Marine Affairs under the Sea Grant Program. The results of these two studies aim to provide a comprehensive definition of human activities on the bay.

Marine Safety International, based in New York, is a subsidiary of FlightSafety International, a Berkshire Hathaway company.

(sunstar.com.ph)

THE University of Cebu-Maritime Education and Training Center (UC-METC) now offers Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork (SSBT) as part of its Maritime Upgrading Courses intended for Marine Deck officers.