Page 57: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 2018)

MARITIME SIMULATION

Maritime Simulation

High Tech Meets Practical Skills

When talk turns to ‘Maritime Simulation’ visions of high-tech bridge simulators with seamless graph- ics and interwoven component simulators – engine room, DP systems, cargo loading – come to mind.

But modern simulation is so much more, a wholistic visual, audio, tactile and cereberal experience that prepares mariners to deal with a bevy of real-world situations.

By Greg Trauthwein

Modern maritime simulation has munication, situational awareness and Offshore Energy sional Training (MPT). evolved rapidly, driven by exponential the ability to multi-task in any situa- The energy slump has touched nearly “The oil and gas market slowdown leaps in computer and graphic display tion. every corner of the maritime market, has de? nitely been felt by the mari- power, a critical and valuable tool in Communication on the bridge and and the simulation training sector is no ners, industry, and training provid- the maritime training tool belt which between the bridge and traf? c control- exception, particularly painful as many ers alike,” said Captain Ted Morley, helps to develop a mariner who comes lers is often where problems can occur, had recently expanded to help fuel a Chief Operations Of? cer, Academic ready with not only knowledge and a said Rosemary G. Mackay, Modeling fast-growing business. Principal, MPT. Tangibly MPT felt the certi? cate, but the practical hand-on and Research Coordinator, Curriculum When the energy crisis hit and the pinch in student ? ow, with just more experience that is otherwise gained Development & Lead Engineering In- offshore market slowed, Resolve took than 14,000 students coming through only through sea time. But maritime structor, Resolve Maritime Academy, a hard evaluation of its maritime simu- the facilities in 2017, “which is kind of simulation is not only centered on Inc. So simulation at Resolve Maritime lation services and focused on ef? cien- an off-year for us” from MPT’s peak fast computers, seamless displays and Academy is not just about the technical cies, said Mackay. “We do things in a of 16,000+ students. “Our focus as a modern maritime equipment. The mar- side of simulation, rather the practical very ef? cient scale. We had to, but at training center is to keep the mariners itime simulation experience today is a side too. Resolve aspires to learn their the same time we still have to deliver working,” said Captain Morley. “If multi-layered, multi-faceted endeavor trainee’s strengths and weaknesses, top quality.” they are in oil and gas and not working, which combines complex maritime overloading them with information to A few blocks away in Fort Lauder- they can get trained to work in another navigation skills with the more mun- help test the boundaries of bridge per- dale is another top-tier and long-ten- sector. It might not be in the industry dane yet equally critical skills of com- formance, focus and response. ured training school, Maritime Profes- that they want, it might not be at the

Capt. Ted Morley

Chief Operations Of? cer, Academic Principal, MPT, on

The future need for Maritime Simulation Training “The IMO is forecasting a 148,000 shortfall in trained of- ? cers by 2025, so there is ample opportunity for a manpower shift to other segments. Many DPOs are ? nding employment in wind farm development projects and, as always, recruiting and training veterans remains a vital mission.”

Photo: MPT www.marinelink.com 57

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