Digitalisation does not only affect ship operation but also crew training. Officers and engineers prepare in simulator facilities for the operation of increasingly complex systems. Now Carnival Cruises has opened its own facility in Amsterdam
Before handling multi-million dollar assets in high risk operations, training in an indestructible virtual environment becomes increasingly popular in[ds_preview] the maritime industry. Repetition training saves valuable utilization of capacity, time and money. Simulator training allows preparation for handling of new equipment or emerging industry trends, e.g. LNG bunkering and propulsion or ice navigation. »In a world of fast-changing technology and connectivity, an individual may also progress towards competency courtesy of training from a variety of sources,« Frank Coles, CEO of Transas, says. For example MTC Marine Training Center Hamburg, together with ABB, offers special Azipod training, as most modern cruise vessels are equipped with this technology. »Manoeuvering these vessels requires special handling skills. All the renowned cruise companies send their navigators to our classes,« explains Heinz Kuhlmann, Managing Director of MTC. The facility also trains pilots and ECDIS users and will put a future focus on classes on error avoidance of bridge and engine room personnel.
From training its officers at independent facilities cruise company Carnival Cruises has now moved to its own training center. The new »Center for Simulator and Maritime Training« (CSMART) in Amsterdam is a facility with state-of-the-art simulators from Transas. Carnival has invested 75 mill. € and almost two years of research and development in the new training hub before it officially opened in the suburb of Almere, a half an hour drive from Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
According to Carnival the facility embodies its »commitment to a step-change in seafarer training«. CSMART currently runs 17 courses accredited by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate and DNV GL. It is planned to expand the curriculum to address the increasing complexity of equipment on board contemporary passenger ships. It is technology that officers are unlikely to have encountered in their training before joining Carnival.
The technology was delivered as an Integrated Full Mission Simulation Academy Solution by Transas. The company developed twelve cruise ship models to replicate bridge systems on Carnival vessels, and three new cruise ship engine models with different propulsion systems, including some virtual replicas of ship automation systems. Simulation scenarios for 60 sailing areas were programmed including the major ports and cruise destinations most frequently visited by Carnival vessels. The engineering section includes four full mission engine room simulators, twelve sets of virtual machinery stations, and two high voltage training systems. In addition, there are two engine room simulator classrooms, each with twelve stations, and four debriefing stations. Transas adapted 3D graphics, which allow trainees to walk through a virtual replica of the vessel’s layout. The navigation section comprises four full mission bridge simulators with 210° field of view, as well as two sets of bridge wings with dome projections. These will be augmented by six part-task bridge simulators with 120° of visualisation, and two part-task bridges with 180° horizontal field of view.
Carnival expects some 6,500 officers and engineers from across all ranks to pass through its new facility annually.
Transas CEO Coles thinks the opening of CSMART is a »milestone for seafarer training and the maritime industry’s relationship with technology«. According to Heinz Kuhlmann of MTC simulator training definitely becomes increasingly important. »It is easier to explore the limits of what is possible in the simulator than on board an actual ship. Especially for the development of new manoeuvring techniques in ports or other confined areas a simulator can be very efficient,« Kuhlmann explains and adds: »Try and error is not possible in real life but no danger in the simulator.«
