Kongsberg Maritime delivers simulator upgrades and a unique new rig training model for Simsea
Kongsberg Maritime has also recently delivered a new rig simulator model at Simsea, based on the Floatel Superior accommodation unit, which is currently in operation in the North Sea. Developed as a part of the K-Sim Offshore simulators installed at Simsea, the new customised model will be used to train semi-submersible rig personnel in advanced operation of Dynamic Positioning (DP), position mooring system (POSMOOR), stability/ballasting and rig move/anchoring, the company said in its press release.
Floatel International commissioned development of the simulator model to provide training for maritime rig personnel and to support its safety strategy. Simsea has already conducted courses for Floatel International and today the organisation boasts significant experience of rig personnel training on Kongsberg Maritime's simulators.
The new Floatel Superior rig simulation model offers the opportunity to practice on leadership and decision making in emergency and abnormal situations including communication and teamwork, all of which are training fundamentals. K-Sim Offshore has been designed to provide highly realistic, task specific or full vessel training exercises, making it the ideal foundation for such a diverse training program.
"The new rig model in K-Sim Offshore represents a significant boost to training opportunities for maritime rig personnel in Norway and internationally," says A. Rune Johansen, Managing Director, Simsea AS. "It is a strong training ground not only for personnel on the accommodation units but also in most other mobile rigs used in the oil & gas sector."
Opened in February 2012 and built on a foundation of KONGSBERG simulation technology, Simsea is one of the most advanced offshore simulator training centres in the world. It currently features a number of DP and offshore bridge simulators including a 360 degree visual K-Sim Offshore simulator with interface to a range of specialised task simulators such as ROV, offshore crane and ECDIS for team training of complex offshore operations.
With the delivery of new simulators starting in August 2014, Simsea will introduce more simulation capabilities based on Kongsberg Maritime's leading K-Sim Offshore simulator platform, including; two new K-Sim Offshore bridges and K-Pos DP systems, and an extension of the existing full-mission bridge with K-Pos DP. All bridges will be according to DNV Class A. An advanced ROV simulator interface and a hydraulic winch simulator for anchor handling as well as a hydrodynamic modelling tool for development of vessel models are included.
Simsea's ability to offer courses covering individual and best practice team training and crisis management will be significantly enhanced following the upgrades. Most offshore maritime operations will be covered, such as platform support, close proximity, anchor handling, subsea, offshore loading, rig ballast/stability, power management and DP. The facility's DP training capabilities fulfil the Nautical Institute's DP training requirements, allowing for a reduction in operating training time at sea, which enables cost savings and safety improvements for intensive Dynamic Positioning Operator training.
"After 2 years of operation, we are already at the stage of investing further to expand our services to the maritime and offshore industries," continues Johansen. "Our diverse capabilities have attracted a huge number of course participants so we are keen to keep Kongsberg Maritime on board to ensure our training technology is as advanced, reliable and flexible as possible."