Simulation devices

The paper presents the possibilities of modeling the movement trajectory of a given sea-going vessel using a ship model adapted for this purpose, available on a simulator. The experiment was conducted for the container ship “Bonny” on an NMS simulator manufactured by NORCONTROL. The ship trajectories obtained during the simulation studies were compared with the trajectories of the actual ship performing the same maneuvers, recorded during its sea trials.

The costs of practical training in ship maneuvering carried out in real conditions and the development of computer science mean that ship crews and pilots are increasingly being trained in this area on simulation devices, so-called “Full Mission Simulators” or radar-navigation simulators. Similarly, these simulators are often used to reconstruct the circumstances of a maritime accident. Without denying the role that these devices play in practical training regarding maneuvering principles, bridge procedures, etc., one should consider to what extent they are currently useful for exercises aimed at practical learning of maneuvering specific vessels in a given water area or for reconstructing the circumstances of a given accident. Simulators currently available on the market and used in education are equipped with a specific database of programmed exercise areas and vessel models. It often happens that a client is interested in training crews and maritime pilots in maneuvering specific ships in a strictly defined water area, for example, container ships of a certain size, equipped with specific propulsion and steering devices with known operational parameters on the approach channel to a specific port and in its water area. The simulator owner can purchase software that allows loading the parameters of any water area into the database. (…)