At the Port of Milford Haven, upgrades have been completed to state-of-the-art equipment at the south Wales port's navigation simulator suite.
The suite located at Milford Waterfront within the port, which handles around 20% of the UK’s seaborne trade in oil and gas, enables marine professionals to receive bespoke specialist training.
The virtual reality simulation system can safely replicate a range of scenarios that seafarers may experience in real-world situations, such as extreme weather conditions, emergency situations, and escort tug work.
The upgrades provided by the Netherlands-based company MARIN contain the latest hardware in terms of processing power and graphics, as well as upgrades to MARIN’s ‘Dolphin’ software, increasing the capability to create scenarios. These are complemented with new 4k visuals on 75” screens, which increase the depth and field of vision, adding to the realism.
Recently, a training day was led by Training Pilot Captain Mark Johnson, assisted by ex-pilot Andy Hillier, involving the tug operator Svitzer and its team members as well as Pilots Matt Roberts and Ian Coombes.
As part of the scenario, they were faced with a loss of engine power and steering along with worsening weather and sea conditions. The pilots had to communicate with Svitzer in order to successfully instruct them on how to tow and direct a drifting tanker. While scenarios like these are uncommon within port operations, it is important to rehearse procedures that would be implemented if they are required and enhance participants’ skill sets.
