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Simulator Training
The Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies now offers simulator based training. This training includes RADAR training, piloting training, ship handling training, and voyage management training. The simulator also supplements our regular training with hands-on, interactive scenarios designed to test students grasp of skills they have learned in the classroom.
The simulator allows for virtual on the water training year round. The system comes equipped with ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) which is a state of the art navigation and chart plotting system, RADAR simulation complete with ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) functions, and a visual graphics engine which simulates 360 degree views from the student driven ship. The instructor has complete control over ship traffic, wind, sea state, current, time of day and weather conditions allowing for an infinite number of training scenarios to be created and implemented.
Here is a brief explanation of the simulator's components.
The following three images depict a single moment viewed simultaneously on the ECDIS display screen, RADAR display screen, and visual display screen.
The ECDIS display of a ship traveling under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
The simulated RADAR screen of a ship traveling under the Golden Gate Bridge into San Fransisco Harbor. Note the ARPA acquired target highlighted in a yellow box at the right of the screen. The vessel's course and speed vector is displayed.
Traveling into San Fransisco Harbor under the Golden Gate Bridge in dense fog and rain. The simulator can simulate 360 degree three dimensional views which are projected on a 145 inch screen.
The student controls the vessel he is piloting with a virtual throttle and helm displayed on a fourth monitor. The different ship classes all have programmable parameters allowing the instructor to change the turning radius, acceleration rate, affect of the wind and waves, maximum speed, vessel draft, and many other technical aspects of the ship.
A view of the ship control monitor.
The instructor's station consists of a CPU and monitor which controls the training equipment, allowing the instructor to modify all aspects of the simulation. The drop down menus give the instructor environmental controls as well as control of up to 99 target ships, and the student's vessel, if desired.