Wärtsilä is to supply a new maritime educational centre on the island of Donsö in Sweden with a simulation training lab equipped with what is said to be the most sophisticated technology available, for Swedish shipping company Furetank.
The training lab will allowing crews to receive training, assessment, and certification. Wärtsilä has designed the simulation lab to address the latest developments in operational equipment and systems. The facility can accommodate 14 students at one time. Physical simulation bridges are combined with virtual, augmented, and mixed reality applications. Together, they create realistic learning environments for navigation, manoeuvring, docking, cargo handling and safety procedures. The system replicates and teaches the correct way to utilise new ship technology, such as shore power connections or LNG/PBG bunkering.
Jonas Gunnarsson, Personnel Manager Furetank said: “Until now, the lack of access to simulator technology has been a bottleneck for us and many other fleet operators. New vessels are being ordered and manning them with fully trained and competent crews is a challenge, which is why this centre is so important. Thanks to Wärtsilä’s technology, we can simulate 50 ship models, from pilot boats and cruise ships to tankers and towboats. Fairways for various ports can be navigated on the system, and we can simulate moving through ice or rough seas, the possibilities are endless.”
Steffen Fäldt, Area Sales Manager Wärtsilä Scandinavia added: “Among the many features of this simulator facility, the ECO module is one of the most relevant. This is a proven tool to practise eco driving, the means for determining the most energy efficient way to operate a vessel. This training will play an important role as the maritime sector works to decarbonise its operations.”
The Wärtsilä equipment includes a full-sized class A navigational bridge simulator using nine portrait-mounted and one landscape-mounted rear view 75in displays, giving a 240 degree horizontal view and good vertical height. Furthermore, there will be a virtual reality bridge and bridge wing, a tug simulator, and an engine room simulator including a virtual machinery space.
