Page 35: of Marine News Magazine (February 2024)

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Feature

Marine Simulation “We enable workers to develop critical worksite-speci? c competencies by engaging them in challenging simulation training programs,” said Clayton Burry, vice president of sales at Virtual Marine. “We’ve been involved heavily in the research associated with simulation as well, so we’ve been able to prove simulation systems to be a much safer and more effective form of training.”

Burry said the company’s simulators are deployed glob- ally, from ships and oil rigs offshore to land-based installa- tions in training academies and elsewhere.

In addition to building the simulators, Virtual Marine owns and operate a series of training centers, including three in the Americas: Newfoundland, Broussard, La. and Robert, La.

Harnessing the power of technology

Over the years, Virtual Marine has witnessed signi? cant advancements in technology, particularly in virtual reality, graphics processing power and machine learning. Burry highlighted the pivotal role of machine learning in shap- “We enable workers to develop ing the future of training. By analyzing data collected from critical worksite-speci? c over 160 lifeboat simulators, Virtual Marine enhances training effectiveness and provides valuable insights.

competencies by engaging “That data is really important to our customers because them in challenging simulation they want to know, ‘How effective are our coxswains? Are they gapping anywhere where we need to focus? Where are training programs.” they excelling? How can we dashboard that information?’”

Burry said, “The knowledge that we’ve gained from our train- – Clayton Burry, Vice President ing scenarios is being used to improve our curriculum devel- of sales at Virtual Marine opment. It’s also feeding arti? cial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, which underpin predictive decisions.”

Among a number of research programs ongoing at Vir- sector, the company recently collaborated with BC Ferries tual Marine is the development of a new system leveraging to develop technology that is ? rst-of-its-kind globally.

AI and machine learning to provide decision support for “BC Ferries had an objective to improve the safety and offshore operations. competency of their workers in what’s normally a very

Burry illustrated this with an example: “Perhaps there’s stressful environment,” Burry said. “One of the big things a storm that’s been predicted to hit an offshore ? eld,” he that they were trying to guard against was the risk of injury said. “Our system can analyze crew training records and to their personnel, resulting from live boat launches.” recommend speci? c training exercises to prepare for poten-

Virtual Marine and BC Ferries came together to develop tial emergencies, mitigating risks and ensuring readiness.” a custom solution. “At the heart of it, it’s really a rescue-boat simulator, together with a new custom-launch and recovery

Expanding horizons con? gurations to match all of the vessels in their ? eet. . .

Virtual Marine’s commitment to innovation extends into And as part of this project, we developed what is, in fact, other parts of the industry as well. In the passenger vessel the world’s ? rst marine evacuation system simulator.” www.marinelink.com MN 35|