Through a simulator to a real ship bridge

A 160 metres long container ship is sailing past Copenhagen. Visibility varies, there is not much wind, but sea currents are moderate. The fairway is narrow, so the crew has to keep a sharp eye.

Actually, this time we are not really sailing through the Sound, but are in one of Aboa Mare’s ship bridge simulators. A watch exercise of watch keeping officer students is in progress.

On the screens we can see the fairway, and the bridge provides all equipment and gear that can also be found in the real environment: e.g. electronic nautical charts, two radar displays, info display, controls for propulsion bow thrusters, and autopilot.

“This feels just like a real situation. For example anticipation is important, because, as we know, a large ocean liner will not turn in an instant”, student Rasmus Gustafsson contemplates.

Aboa Mare’s maritime academies in Turku train maritime professionals; secondary school Axxell and Novia University of Applied Sciences have in total around 500 students. In addition, Aboa Mare provides short courses to other seafaring professionals.

Rare situations can also be practised

Simulator Manager Bo Lindroos says that the simulators can be used to steer e.g. Viking Grace on different fairways and to different ports in various weather conditions.

“One of the big advantages of simulators is that they can be easily used for practising actions in various unexpected fault situations or when another ship comes too close. In real environment this cannot often be done – fortunately.”

For example, the three-year degree of watch keeping officer requires 360 days of guided practical training, 30 of which can be completed in simulator.

“The simulator is not an exact match with the real world. But it’s quite close.”

With the power of a hundred virtual ships

Aboa Mare has ten ship bridge simulators and e.g. an engine room simulator, all of which can be monitored by the teacher in a single control room. The system provides excellent readiness, also internationally.

“The simulators include around one hundred different ships, all piloted fairways in Finland, and selected ports from around the world, such as Rotterdam, San Francisco, Bilbao and Singapore. The simulators are continuously being developed according to the emerging needs. We work in close co-operation with shipping companies.”

Simulators are also utilised, for example, in the planning of ports and fairways, as they can be used to test what it is like to sail on different routes. The Port of Turku also uses simulators in the planning of berths.

“On short courses for seafaring professionals it is possible to practise e.g. manoeuvring a ship in Arctic waters or steering an LNG tanker.”

All is well in the Sound

Let’s go back to the virtual Sound. All is well on the bridge. The watch keeping officer students steer the ship in an assured fashion.

“It’s easy for the PlayStation generation to assume command of the simulator use”, Mr Lindroos points out.

“The simulator provides a good basis for steering a real ship. But in a real situation with real steel around you, the pressure will surely be greater”, says Mr Gustafsson who is studying to be a watch keeping officer.

Text: Matti Välimäki
Photos: Ilari Välimäki