Piloting a new approach to Kiel Canal training
The Kiel Canal Pilots have called upon the services of BMT SeaTech and their PC Rembrandt ship simulation system to provide a flexible, cost effective and onsite training solution to their pilots training requirements.
Kiel Canal Pilots Association in Brunsbüttel has undergone a radical change in the employment of new pilots by recruiting not only Master Mariners but also first mates holding an unlimited Master`s license.
Previous training of the Association’s 123 pilots took place mainly at the full bridge simulator of the Maritime Academy of Bremen. With up to 140 vessel movements a day and more expected in the forthcoming year, it was becoming increasingly difficult to take pilots out of the Association’s watch rotation plan in order to transport them to the training facility.
The new BMT SeaTech system was supplied in a mini bridge simulation format comprised of three 37″ LCD’s, a standard off the shelf desktop computer, realistic control consoles and an instructor console. It was installed at the office of the Kiel Canal Pilots’ ‘Lotsenbrüderschaft NOK I’ in Brunsbüttel within a single day. A further two days was taken up with training.
Included with the system were ten ship models of various designs and sizes including containerships, tankers, bulk carriers and a cruise ship with podded propulsion. Two consoles were also provided to add reality to the simulation with the main control heads replicating those found on actual vessels.
This latest version of the Rembrandt system contains a library of buildings and structures which can be imported into the 3D visuals. There is also a facility for importing industry standard images for further enhanced graphics. Tug, anchor and mooring line modules can be included so that the clients own tug suite can be inputted into the system for those more complex or environmentally demanding scenarios. Rule Of the Road situations and ship interaction can also be practised and simulated with the ability to input stationery traffic and moving vessels.
Captain Michael Hartmann , chairman of the Kiel Canal Pilots’ Lotsenbrüderschaft NOK said, ‘The system exceeds our expectations in many aspects. We received a very reliable tool to train basic and enhanced shiphandling, giving us more time for final high level and multiple emergency training sessions at the cost intensive full bridge simulators at Bremen and MTC Hamburg.’
There are currently plans for SeaTech to integrate a radar simulation system and AIS to the mini bridge suite.
