Transas upgrades training centre at Naval Academy in Bulgaria
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An official opening of the upgraded training complex equipped with the Transas state-of-the-art simulators for N.Y. Vaptsarov Naval Academy took place on September, 30.
Numerous high-rank officials attended the ceremony, dedicated to the start of a new academic year. Among them was Mr. Rosen Plevenliev, the president of Bulgaria and the supreme commander of the armed forces, Mr. Ivan Ivanov, the deputy minister of defence, and many others. International representatives of Italian and USA Navies also took part in the ceremony.
The Naval Academy training center was recently upgraded with the extended Transas Navigational simulator NTPRO 5000, installation of a full-mission Engine Room Simulator (ERS 5000), GMDSS Class simulator, and Vessel Management Traffic System (VTMS) simulator. The new setup creates a "total ship" environment with a real-time connection between the navigational and engine room simulators, where two main units can interact with each other during training exercises.
The extension of the simulator complex at Naval Academy in Varna, Bulgaria was made to enable more students to receive a wide range of knowledge and skills. Transas Navigational simulator, installed at the Academy several years ago, is expanded by transforming two workplaces of virtual class to two bridges with five and three visualization channels each. The bridges are also equipped with ARPA/Radar simulation and Navi-Sailor ECDIS modules. With the most realistic relief and target reflection, weather conditions and noise simulation, offered by Transas radar picture generation algorithm, students will have the opportunity to learn the logic associated with the systems they will find onboard. Meanwhile, the Navi-Sailor ECDIS module allows both IMO 1.27 and type-specific ECDIS training in accordance with the latest regulations.
The VTMS simulator has been upgraded to the latest version and extended by additional workplaces for an instructor, a communication operator and a trainee. GMDSS simulator is also to be upgraded and will offer work space for eight trainees.
The most significant part of the installation is a Full Mission Engine Room Simulator ERS 5000 with eight workstations. Ship models, included into this ERS 5000 software, allow training crews of ANZAC frigate ships, diesel electric cruise vessels and diesel-engine product tankers. The existing ERS 4000 simulator was also upgraded to ERS 5000 version for six trainees. This means, that more engineers can now receive high-class hands-on training with ERS 5000 by Transas.
N.Y. Vaptsarov Naval Academy is the oldest technical school in Bulgaria and one of the symbols of Varna and Bulgaria in the global maritime community. Today, the Academy trains specialists for Navy and for merchant marine in all areas of maritime life and is also strongly engaged in research. N.Y. Vaptsarov Naval Academy maintains international contacts with similar schools and academies from many countries. The Academy is one of the founders and an active member of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU).