Simulator based navigation training

It is commonly acknowledged that training in a virtual environment enhances skills and accumulates experience much faster than what is possible with traditional on the job training.

Navigation training in a ship bridge simulator enables crews, both individually and collectively, to experience and establish the performance envelope of the vessel they are operating for given conditions. This instils confidence and increases skills as well as awareness regarding efficiency, safety, environment and communication.

We have developed a learning concept based on best practice and pedagogical methods with proven results. The methods we have developed are internationally recognised and used by other domains such as air traffic controllers and power plant operators.

Good training is learning

The key to good training is learning and not teaching. That is why we ask two questions when we plan a course: In which future situations may the participant utilise the understanding? What should they be able to do in such a situation? The answers determine the content and approach but also ensures that the course is perceived with a logical progression from the participant’s perspective.

Pedagogical aspects

Our pedagogical methods are primarily based on participant logical methods and discovery learning. All aspects of the course planning, scenario development and debriefing sessions follow structured and carefully planned methods.

All instructors are certified in pedagogical methods for simulator training and are able to train junior officers as well as very experienced captains and senior officers.

We use extensive debriefing sessions after each training session where we among other tools use replay systems to illustrate the participant’s performance. This is done in a structured manner as part of a continuous process during the whole training course with the objective of making the participants conscious and reflective about their behaviour and decision process.

Our standard courses are tailor-made

We have a broad portfolio of courses for navigation and ship handling. We tailor our standard courses to match the exact requirements and needs of the individual client. This ensures that the participants learn and become confident with the relevant topics that relate to their specific situation.

FAQ: Simulator training and engineering

Is it possible to simulate any type of vessel?
We can simulate a broad range of vessels ranging from tankers, bulk carriers and container vessels to catamaran ferries, ASD-tugs and rotor tugs. We are also able to simulate a broad variety of advanced vessels - to name our recent developments; a carousel tug and a wind turbine installation vessel fully capable of DP and jacking up. Our mathematical models are based on design documents, GA, trial reports, stability books supplemented by in-house water tank tests, wind tunnel tests and CFD calculations.
Do your training simulators have all the relevant equipment?
Our full mission simulators have an integrated bridge system with radar, VHF, ECDIS, and visual sight from the bridge to name a few.
Which type of alarm or failure can you generate in the simulator?
We can generate rudder failure, fire alarms, engine shutdown, thruster failure, engine slow down and many other types of alarms and failures. Thereby we are able to create a stressful and realistic emergency scenario.
What do your offshore simulations include?
We can perform single point mooring with evaluation of environmental limitations for operations and ship-to-ship operations including the fully modelled tugs. Furthermore, we can simulate jack-up operations and rig moves.
How do you simulate several ship models operating together, e.g. a container ship assisted by multiple tugs?
We can connect up to 10 real simulation models in the same simulated scenario. Each model runs on a separate simulator bridge controlled by a navigator. The people on the different bridges communicate through VHF communication - just as during real operations.
Are you able to simulate offshore towing of ships or offshore structures?
By connecting several ship models, we are able to simulate e.g. one or more tugboats towing a “dead” ship or an oilrig.
Who contributes to the development of a simulator ?
We have many skilled employees with a wide range of knowhow from captains, tug masters, hydrodynamic engineers, mathematical model designers, 3D artists and experienced psychologists with focus on Human Factors to Ph.D. software developers. All this knowhow is offered as consultancy assistance in evaluation of reports, report conclusions, recommendations, harbour designs, software development and much more.

Jens Tommerup

Instructor, Simulation, ports & training

T. +45 43 25 08 69 Contact Jens

*Message

*E-mail

*First name

*Last name

*Job title

*Company

*Phone

*Country

I accept that FORCE Technology collects my data.

Please do not write any personal or sensitive information in the message field. Read our Data Protection Policy.

Training is a good investment

When crew resource management (CRM) was introduced as standard practice by a large ship owner accidents (collision, groundings and total loss) decreased from 70 to 20 a year over a four year period.