A New Beginning

Simulator Commissioned AMC’s already successful simulations facility just took a quantum leap with the completion of simulations upgrade Mark III.

AMC’s new multi-million dollar Integrated Marine Simulator has been installed, and the successful Site Acceptance Tests were signed off by AMC’s Manager, Centre for Marine Simulations, Captain Ian Rodrigues, and Director of the National Centre for Ports and Shipping, Captain John Lloyd, on 7 April, 2009.

Work continues on converting the library of ship and area models, and with the fine tuning of the new simulator which comprises:

- Full Mission Bridge
- Tug Simulator/Second Bridge Simulator
- 6 Ship Operations Cubicles
- A portable simulator
- Web enabled simulations

The simulator, supplied by Kongsberg Maritime of Norway, will commence full operations in mid-May. In the meantime, Captain Tim Turner, Harbour Master of Newcastle Port, and 2 of his senior pilots have kindly assisted AMC by putting the new facility through 2 days of intensive tests and trials to sort out any last minute glitches and to bring out the best of this very sophisticated piece of technology.

The simulator passed all tests put to it by Captain Turner and his pilots with flying colours, and the Newcastle team were delighted with the new facility. In fact, Captain Turner described the simulator as the best he has ever seen. “We knew AMC was upgrading its simulator, but we did not realise the whole facility was being transformed! The visuals are stunningly realistic, as are the environmental effects, the new tug simulator, and upgraded Ship Operator Cubicles provide the capability to have up to 8 ‘own ships’ and pilots involved in interactive exercises.” said Captain Turner.

Captain Turner and pilots were also particularly impressed with the first of its kind, simulator exercise review/de-brief room, the improved client support facilities, and the many innovations implemented in the simulator by Captain Rodrigues. “The simulator must be experienced to be fully appreciated. We wish AMC every success when it opens the simulator to industry next month.” said Captain Turner. Some improvements were identified during the trials, and all will be fully implemented by the time the simulator commences full operations in mid-May.

AMC Principal, Malek Pourzanjani, said that he was delighted with the new Kongsberg simulator, and that he was particularly appreciative of the assistance provided to AMC by the Port of Newcastle, and in particular Tim Turner and pilots Andrew Beazley and Scott Clinton.

AMC Principal Malek Pourzanjani inspecting the new simulator.

A New Accreditation

AMC’S Dynamic Positioning (DP) Operator courses have been audited by, and accredited with, the Nautical Institute of the United Kingdom.

The AMC Dynamic Positioning Unit is now offering both the DP Basic (Induction) and DP Advanced (Simulator) courses, which, together with the requisite DP sea-time experience, lead to internationally recognised DP Operator certification. Several courses have already been conducted and course vacancies are filled quickly.

However, there are some vacancies still on the following courses:

Basic (Induction) 24-28 August: Course Fee $3,000 incl. GST.
Advanced (Simulator) 22-26 June: Course Fee $3,200 incl. GST.

More courses will be scheduled later in the year. Enquiries to: E.Donovan@amc.edu.au

A New Development (VTS)

Installation of a new Vessel Traffic Services simulator/training facility has commenced.

Designed by a leading international VTS Instructor, Mr. Bob Shaw of Canada, the VTS simulator is based around AMC Search’s Transas vessel operations simulator, and will provide trainee operators with Radar, AIS, 4 VHF frequencies for communication with traffic ships, and visual observation of traffic movement within their port.

Commissioning of the new facility will be followed by Instructor training to be provided by Transas. The first 10 days VTS Operator course to be delivered with assistance from the new facility is scheduled from 25 May to 5 June.

This course will be conducted by Bob Shaw – Course Fee: $5,830 incl. GST Bookings are still available – Enquiries to: E.Donovan@amc.edu.au

The AMC VTS Operator course has been approved by AMSA as meeting the IALA Guidelines V103/1.

Development of the VTS Supervisor Advancement Course, V103/2, is now in process to be lodged with AMSA later this year for approval.

New Fast Rescue Craft? (We wish….)

AMC Search has long been conducting Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) courses, utilising two FRC’s located at AMC’s Beauty Point campus. We think it is time to trade up to a later version FRC. Ideally we’d like a brand new one, complete with davit to suit, but that may be stretching the budget in these harsh financial times.

Does anyone know where we might acquire a second-hand one in good condition? Ideally we would like:

Jet Propulsion (single or twin)
6 to 8 metres length
Seating aft of steering console for 5 or 6
Diesel engine Speed 20 to 30 knots
Self righting system GRP (Preferred) or aluminium

If any of our readers know of where we might be able to source such a craft, we’d be most grateful for the lead.