International Journal

on Marine Navigation

and Safety of Sea Transportation

Volume 5

Number 1

March 2011

105

1 INTRODUCTION - INTERNATIONAL

REGULATIONS FOR MARITIME SAFETY &

SECURITY - LEVELS OF COMPETENCIES

AND SIMULATOR TRAINING

The Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security in

London in December 2002 adopted new provisions

in the International Convention for the Safety of Life

at Sea, 1974 and the International Code for the Secu-

rity of Ships and of Port Facilities - ISPS Code,

which came into force 01st July 2004. The Code is

in two parts, Part A which is mandatory and Part B

which is recommended. The minimum requirements

for ships respectively ports are ship (port facility)

security assessment, ship (port facility) security

plans in ports and on board the vessels and certain

security equipment. Apart from existing regulations

it is very important to recognize the importance of

permanent process in changing and developing pre-

cautions and measures implemented to fight terror-

ism in port and on board the vessel. Human mental

attitudes and motivation are important and necessary

for to creating a general atmosphere of security cul-

ture.

The situation in the shipping world with regard to

emergency preparedness is affected in general by the

following elements:

− Abilities and Experiences in case of „disturbed“

operation of systems are reduced or simply not

existing

− Multilingual Crews cause specific problems in

case of Emergency Situation

− Reduction of Crew Members causes lack of

available Personnel

− Complexity of Emergency Equipment is perma-

nently increasing, but Training in Emergency

Handling has not developed to the same standard

− New Management Systems and regulations of the

IMO (ISM/ISPS) demand new methods and

technology for emergency training

According to the demand for increased level of

training (see Figure 1) along with the requirements

for higher competency level the simulator equipment

New level of Integrated Simulation Interfacing

Ship Handling Simulator with Safety &

Security Trainer (SST)

K. Benedict, C. Felsenstein & O. Puls

Hochschule Wismar, Dept. of Maritime Studies, Rostock-Warnemuende, Germany

M. Baldauf

World Maritime University, Malmoe, Sweden

ABSTRACT: Simulators have proved beneficial for ship handling training in real time on well equipped

bridges throughout the last decades. The Maritime Simulation Centre Warnemuende (MSCW) has been com-

plemented by a new type of simulator called the Safety and Security Trainer (SST). Wismar University has

been involved in the conceptual design and development of this new technology. One of the most challenging

innovations developed during the research is the 3D-designed RoPax ferry “Mecklenburg-Vorpommern” for

the SST simulation system. An integrated support and decision system, called MADRAS, was interfaced into

the SST and the entire system was interfaced to the Ship Handling simulator SHS in order to assists officers

in coping with safety and security challenges during manoeuvres of the vessel (SHS). This new and enhanced

simulation facility allows for “in deep” study of the effects of the safety and security plans and procedures on

board and enable more detailed evaluation of their effectiveness under varying conditions and during different

courses of events by a different series of simulation runs. This paper will introduce the basic concept of the

safety and security training simulator and describe the work entailed for its integration into the complex envi-

ronment of full mission ship-handling-simulators. Selected results of a case study dealing with first basic im-

plementation of training scenarios will be demonstrated.

106

at Dept. of Maritime Studies of Hochschule Wismar

was extended: Additionally to the existing simula-

tors at the Maritime Simulation Centre Warnemuen-

de a new Safety and Security Trainer was imple-

mented and interfaced to allow for the training on

the highest level for the management level for inte-

grated training with full mission simulators in inter-

faced mode of operation.

Figure 1. Level of competence and required safety and security

training

2 INTEGRATED SIMULATION AT THE

MARITIME SIMULATION CENTRE

WARNEMUENDE (MSCW) WITH NEW

ELEMENT SST

The Maritime Simulation Centre Warnemuende

(MSCW) is one of the most modern simulation cen-

tres worldwide. The complex simulation platform

(Figure 2; Benedict 2000) with several full mission

simulators enables the department to simulate the

entire “system ship” with the maritime environment

including VTS and offers challenges to officers and

crew on board the vessels (http://www.sf.hs-

wismar.de/mscw/). The simulator arrangement

(MSCW) comprises already

− a Ship Handling Simulator SHS with for 4 Full

Mission bridges and 8 Part Task Bridges,

− a Ship Engine Simulator SES with 12 Part Task

station and

− a Vessel Traffic Services Simulator VTSS with 9

operator consoles

The new simulator, implemented as Safety and

Security Trainer SST, was designed by the manufac-

turer Rheinmetall Defence Electronics Bremen in

co-operation with Wismar University, Department

of Maritime Studies (Benedict et al 2008, Oesterle

2007). The simulator was originally designed in a

basic version and 2D presentation and is now being

developed into a 3D version. The simulator can spe-

cifically be used for stand alone and for integrated

training with the SHS (Figure 3). Beside the use for

training, the simulation system will be installed and

used also for specific simulation based studies into

potential upgrading of existing safety and security

procedures.

3 WORKPLACE CONCEPT OF SAFETY- AND

SECURITY TRAINER (SST)

10 stations are being installed in the MSCW this

year, eight training stations (one of the stations on

the SHS Bridge 1) and two instructor consoles as

well as one communication computer system and

another computer for a new support and decision

system called MADRAS. Each station (with head

phones or microphone for communication) consists

of two monitors. One screen is used as Situation

Monitor and the other is named Action Monitor. The

workplace concept provides full equipment for com-

prehensive safety and security training (Figure 2,

right).

A person simulating a member of the crew can be

moved by mouse clicks through the decks on the sit-

uation monitor. The name of selected person, health

index and moving type (standing, kneeing and lying)

is shown in the status display window, also the kind

of protective clothes worn by the figure.

Positioning the figure close to a consol the related

safety equipment is indicated as generic panel on the

action Monitor. All interaction is done on the action

monitor. If the acting person is not located close to

consoles or instruments representing safety equip-

ment, the action monitor shows the ship safety plan

of the appropriate deck.

For the instructor it is possible to create new or

editing existing exercises and store replays. Also

malfunctions, fire, water inrush and criteria for the

incorporated assessment can be set.

Integration of Fire Fighting System and Fire

Fighting Equipment: Most of the actions per-

formed by the trainees with the safety equipment are

performed on the action monitor. A fire model opti-

mised visually and given obvious realistic effects for

easy perception by trainees, is incorporated into the

simulator. A modern fire alarm management system

with smoke detectors and manual calling points is

built into the interior of the ship and easily flamma-

ble materials are protected by fire resistant A60

walls and doors.

The fire model includes smoke visualisation and a

fire fighting system and equipment such as fire ex-

tinguishers, water hoses and hydrants, breathing ap-

paratus, CO2 systems and foam. This enables the

trainee to simulate a realistic fire fighting situation

on board and interact with supporting teams as well

as the management team on the bridge and in the

engine room.