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to a maximum of 16 students at any one time. Through the program, half of the class train in the academy?s 360 tug simulator for 4 hours, while the other 8 students are underway on the RANGER for the same time frame. The 8 student groups alternate weekly between the RANGER and the 360 simulator. RANGER also provides training to the two semester electives Tugs & Towing I and Tugs & Towing II. In terms of seamanship skills alone, the weekly instruction goes far beyond that possible on the larger, traditional bluewater style training vessel. And, the vessel?s engineroom provides a suitable platform for cadets involved in the ?diesels for deckies? course; obtaining hands-on training in lining up, starting and bringing down a typical diesel engine. In an inland maritime market where many vessels do not require an engineer to get underway, the head start for these future brownwater mariners is invaluable. MMA professor (Captain) Patrick Modic, alluding to the almost daily hands-on training afforded by the vessel, describes the Ranger as ?? possibly the best simulator we have.? Nevertheless, the academy?s 360 vision Transas tug simulator is also an undeniably valuable asset. Appropriately, I rounded out my visit to the academy by operating a tugboat in ?Z Drive? mode for a short time in the simulator. I managed not to wreck anything, but then, had I done so, this was arguably the perfect place to do it. Truly a ?plug and play? training aid, the simulator is also  tted with  anking and steering handles for western rivers applications, single and double screw applications, a towing winch and full view aft. Controllers for all applications can be switched out in minutes to simulate different types of equipment. With the programs and equipment constantly receiving upgrades, Modic also reported that whenever industry demands a particular brand / type of equipment for continuing education / professional training, the cadets win, too. Eventually, the tug simulator will be interconnected with the full mission simulator in the ABS commons building to create realistic interaction between larger tonnage and ship assist tug operations.Looking to further expand faculty capabilities to augment towing training, the academy actively seeks quali ed towing professionals to round out an already robust staff. Finding those skills, matched with the academic credentials necessary for a Cadets work the mooring lines on the T/V RANGERJuly 2012