Bespoke ProgrammingThe additional training station of the VTS simulator has been awarded by the Pilot Association NOK I in February 2016. Already on May 24, the station could be successfully put into operation.
Focus of training at this station is the land based radar guidance provided by experienced pilots on duty in the VTS traffic center (VKZ Brunsbüttel) who regularly support the pilots onboard the vessel during maneuvers. Trainees now have the possibility to practice reliably operating a radar workstation, as well as standardized voice communication (syntax) that follows specific terminology and regulations. The training has the aim to improve the additionally required radar pilot service in a real situation under different traffic, weather and sight conditions, when the pilot on board needs unequivocal hints and support by his shore based colleague, especially during maneuvers in road areas and when entering the locks at Brunsbüttel.
The work station equipped with the display inDTS and the Virtual Navigation Environment (inVNE) presents simulated radar images from the three scanners (Brunsbuettel, Belum, and Freiburg) located at the pilotage waters Elbe/NOK1, and, thereby, provides the same supervision and functionality as the traffic viewports for pilots in charge at the VKZ Brunsbüttel.
In addition, the training station is connected to the bridge simulation system PC REMBRANDT (PCR) of the Pilot Association NOK I, which is used to train pilots on two bridges in maneuvering a ship through different virtual traffic situations with various sight and weather.
Thus, complex training scenarios are possible with the simulator PCR of the British company BMT Argoss and the fully integrated training station involving both, the pilot as radar advisor and pilots on the bridges. Each exercise can be recorded and, then, analyzed in detail afterwards.
In future, the new sophisticated, extended training system allows the Pilot Association NOK I to train radar advising more specifically, thus, it helps ensuring the safety entrance in the very busy Kiel Canal.