AMC principal Michael van Balen AO and Kongsberg Digital Area Sales Manager Paul Gilkison concluded a third successive five-year agreement recently at the Newnham campus in Launceston.

Kongsberg Digital AS supplies the simulation software for use in the AMC’s world-class Centre for Maritime Simulations.

Mr van Balen said the continuing relationship meant there was stability in AMC’s approach to simulation.

“Simulation is an integral part of our training,” he said.

“It gives us the capability to run any number of scenarios in a repeatable fashion which not only benefits the students but also enables us to learn in the teaching environment as well.

Mr Gilkison said the agreement demonstrated the commitment that Kongsberg Digital was making to meet the diverse technology and support needs of the AMC.

“It is a continuing engagement and an ability for AMC to make sure that the product we are delivering is actually going to be able to meet the needs of the maritime community,” he said.

Mr Gilkison said that while software product was continually being improved over the life of the LTSSP there would be a new product soon.

“This year we hope to be able to roll out with AMC the new K-Sim Navigation Simulation product which will actually enable a lot more of the offshore simulations as well as the traditional  ship navigation.”

Centre for Maritime Simulations Damien Freeman said the K-Sim navigation was a ground breaking move into next generation platform including virtual reality interactions (VRI).

“VRI would enable a student to be placed in the simulation exercise on the deck of a ship, in the engine room or on the bridge and experience and interact with the simulated environment as they would in the real world,” he said.

“K-Sim Navigation is based on a cutting-edge technology platform and will enable more realistic training scenarios and enhanced user benefits for both instructors and students.

“An advanced new physical engine and state-of-the-art hydrodynamic modelling will allow vessels, objects and equipment to behave and interact as in real life.

“Vessels and objects including various geographical training areas and all possible weather conditions are brought to life with a sophisticated new visual system.

Mr Freeman said K-SIM would enable all AMC simulators to be joined together seamlessly into a common exercise.  

AMC’s Maritime Simulation Centre features a full mission ship’s bridge simulator, two 360 degree tug simulators, full mission engine room, advanced dynamic positioning bridge simulator, six basic dynamic positioning simulator and six ship operations cubicles and an 18-seat electronic chart display laboratory.

The simulation facilities bridge the gap between practice and theory and are used for research into port development, ship manoeuvring improving ship and port safety, training seafarers and teaching undergraduates.

Published on: 19 Aug 2019