| |
Managing Director of ARI Mr. Shravan Rewari said “… our aim was not just to provide a simulation platform but to faithfully recreate the entire process, down to the minutest detail, which the pilotage team will need to successfully execute their job. We are very glad, the HPPL team has found the facility so useful”.
And the job indeed was well executed; the same HPPL pilots on the morning of 17th April 2005 successfully and safely berthed the LNG Tanker ‘Galea’ at the newly commissioned LNG berth at Hazira (Surat) port.
Installed at the Chattarpur, New Delhi campus of ARI, the simulator is a new, self-contained laboratory which features two interactive complete ship’s bridges, a large classroom for debriefing function, and an instructor work station that controls the scenarios on the bridges.
The primary bridge features a screen that provides a 360-degree horizontal field of view of the surroundings. Trainees can also obtain, in addition to view from the Bridge centre, views from the port or starboard bridge wings. In parallel there is a 120 Degree Bridge integrated to the main Bridge Simulator and is utilized by ‘tug master’ for training in tug operation – both pilot and tug master working within the same scenario.
The simulator build on ARI’s proprietary software platforms utilizes a bank of computers state-of-the-art graphics cards and multiple high resolution projectors to simulate different types of vessels, ports and harbors around the world.
The main bridge provides the full effect of being on the water, including the near life like impression of motion as the simulated ship turns and accelerates.
The system also allows the instructor to control and change the environment like sea conditions, weather, and other traffic in the water to create a realistic training exercise.
“This can recreate anything you can expect in real life within the ability of the available technology,” an instructor at the facility remarked
Shell, Hazira SHLNG are utilizing this facility for training of their Pilots and tug handlers in carrying out berthing and un-berthing manoeuvres related to the LNG berth at the port of Hazira in Gujarat.
To create a real life like training environment ARI has digitized and created infrastructure for the LNG terminal, including approach channel, basin, breakwater and berth. Environmental ,weather and tidal conditions have also been modeled to replicate the actual scenario under which the pilots will be required to berth and un-berth the vessels
While all pilots are experienced in their trade, they require familiarization with the specific operating area, especially during approaches as during that time the stakes are high and the margin of error very low.
Pilots of SHLNG practiced myriad berthing manoeuvres and validate port operation feasibility tests.
The simulator provides for the following training to Pilots:
- Training area covering the sea area from outside the breakwater, navigational (buoyed) channel, manoeuvring area off the berth up to and including the berth.
- Primary manoeuvres consisting of berthing, unberthing and navigating in the exercise area with or without tugs at any time of day or night.
- Berthing, unberthing and manoeuvring operations carried out in varying conditions of visibility, wind force, tide and current. Varying factors included:
- Strong on-shore and off-shore winds
- Strong adverse currents
- Day, nights, dusk and dawn situations
- Low visibility approach and departure.
- Combination of varying meteorological and oceanographic conditions.
- Topographical and Hydrographical constraints imposed by the specific manoeuvring and berthing location.
- Training for emergency conditions through introduction of 'fault' and 'breakdown' conditions to reinforce and improve pilot / tug handler response to emergency conditions such as:
- Vessel engine failure
- Vessel steering failure
- Tug failure
- Sudden rise in wind speed
A high degree of physical and behavioural realism creates an immersive environment where pilots are trained in a near real world scenario
Capt. Jan Teertstra – Port Manager HPPL said “…very happy that we chose ARI as our training partner. The new 360 deg bridge which they commissioned for this project fitted our requirements exactly. They also had no problem with meeting the very exacting standards normally applied by Shell”.
Capt. S. K. Kakar – HPPL Pilot says “….the ship behaved very very closely to what the simulator had predicted; I consider my time on the simulator well spent. We also had the unique opportunity to practice as a team – a lot of the procedures developed during training were implemented in practice with very good results…”
ARI has been one of the key drivers of simulation in India for several years. ARI offers a comprehensive range of world-class simulators that are being widely recognized as “best of breed” incorporating the latest statutory requirements, and creating accurate and immersive environments through which meaningful and result-oriented training can be imparted.
ARI simulators are fully interactive with interlinked parameters and have the ability to accurately reflect the cascading effect of one or more changing parameters through the entire system.
In words of the Mr. Shravan Rewari, Managing Director – ARI, “Our experience over the years has led to the institutionalisation of a strong set of “best practices” which makes our products easy to use and provide optimal training transference. More than any other manufacturer, ARI possesses the ability to customize simulation solutions for specific client needs. We believe this is our key competitive advantage and we invest to ensure that client needs are met in the most specific way possible.”
For more information, please contact:
Applied Research International
Tel: (91) 11-41655123-28
Fax: (91) 11-26858331
Email: info@ariworld.com |
