Carnival Corporation’s new world-class Center for Simulator and Maritime Training (CSMART) has officially opened in Almere, Netherlands. The CSMART provides maritime training through technology solutions from Transas.
The Transas has implemented its Integrated Full Mission Simulation Academy Solution implemented at the CSMART . The CSMART facility houses navigational and engine room simulators in various configurations from classroom stations up to part-task and full mission solutions, interlinked to provide training and assessment for the entire crew. Through cooperation with Dell, Transas says it has achieved to reduce the number of physical machines by 77 percent from 650 to 150 and cut energy consumption by 30 percent compared to a traditional deployment by the virtualisation of simulation tasks into nVidia Grid System. Also, full interswitching capabilities where any task can be available on any screen within the Simulator (Blackbox IP-matrix) allow for a zero percent downtime which was one of the key requirements due to a to high volume throughput of seafarers with defined limited training windows.
CCTV camera technology, similar to the one used at the ESA Space Centre, observes and records everything on the bridges and in the engine room to allow full picture team training. Access is available to any task on any screen within the simulator while the CCTV provides professional broadcast, AV control, recording and archiving system with full synchronisation of all workstations, cameras and audio.
To ensure realistic team situational training for engine room and machinery functions, Transas has implemented high tech ‘gamification’ technology with 3D Engine compartments walk-through including usage of avatars controlled via large touchscreens or gaming controller. The trainee moves avatar through the machinery compartments and can act as a team with other trainees in case of emergency procedures.
Transas CEO Frank Coles comments:
«The CSMART project is an important milestone in the Transas history. We are proud of what has been achieved in such a short time through our close work with the Carnival Corporation, the CSMART team and our project partners. By applying technological advancements never before utilised within the maritime industry, Transas have created a multi-simulator integrated training that delivers an immersive real world situational environment in which multiple crew members can operate and interact simultaneously, as if on a real vessel. This is the standard by which all training should be measured».
SAFETY4SEA Team met Frank Coles, CEO, Transas at Posidonia 2016, June 6-10, Metropolitan Expo, Athens for an interview on company’s latest developments and offering.
Source & Image credit: Transas