Dynamic Positioning Facilities
Lowestoft College is well equipped to provide extensive and realistic simulation of DP vessels and operations. The following systems are available for training:
- Kongsberg Simrad ADP 22 redundant DP system, interfaced to an AVS simulator and to a Norcom "RovNav" navscreen facility
- 8 Kongsberg Simrad SDP 11 student terminals
- Kongsberg SDP 11 system interfaced with "Polaris" full-mission ships-bridge simulator
- Simrad HPR 310 acoustic reference system with trainer facility
- PC simulation of a variety of position-reference and other systems
The above systems allow a variety of system and vessel types to be simulated in operational scenarios. The main training tool is the SDP 11/22 system, which may be configured to emulate almost any vessel type currently engaged in DP operations. This includes the following: Dive Support Vessel, Survey Vessel, Pipelay barge, Cable Lay Vessel, Semi-submersible Drilling Rig, Crane barge, Multi-purpose semisub, Shuttle tanker, Turret-moored vessel, FPSO.
For the basic, or Induction course, each student has the exclusive use of an SDP 11 system on his or her desk. This eliminates the problems experienced at other training centres where only one or two SP systems are available and the students have to "wait their turn" on the system. This facility, combined with an Instructor system and screen projection is a very powerful training tool.
For the more advanced courses, the training will comprise a variety of pre-planned scenarios simulating a great variety of operations. The students are expected to carry out the operational planning and risk assessment associated with the scenario. Within the simulator facilities, the instructor has full control over a variety of system errors, failures and environmental variables. The students undertaking the training are faced with a variety of realistic scenarios requiring fast and accurate decision-making.
The most recent development consists of the addition of DP capabilities to the Norcontrol "Polaris" ship's bridge simulator. This allows full-mission simulation of DP operations in a fully-visual ships bridge environment. This is the only facility of this type in this country.
The use of a college-based simulator for training, leads to a number of benefits for the operator. In particular a greater range of case studies, operational situations and system failures can be simulated and investigated in a short period of time. Emergency situations and procedures can be practised in safety. Emergency situations arise rarely at sea and must be handled correctly. In a college situation, a lifetime of emergencies can be simulated during the 4 day course without putting vessel or personnel in danger. Operator competence in the handling of such situations is essential if accidents and fatalities are to be avoided.