4K Bridge Simulation System helps steer maritime centre into the future

Students and commercial clients now have access to the latest in state-of-the-art situation training technology thanks to $1.4 million upgrade at the Australian Maritime College, a specialist institute of the University of Tasmania.
The upgrade includes the world’s first installation of Panasonic’s ultra-high resolution 4K Full Mission Bridge Simulation Projection System, providing users with unparalleled realism.
“This upgrade provides a higher level of immersion in the simulator,” AMC Centre for Maritime Simulations Manager Damien Freeman said.
“This image is clearer, brighter and more colorful with less visible pixels, so the user experiences a more realistic perception of the simulated environment.”
AMC National Centre for Ports and Shipping Director Professor Thanasis Karlis said the $660,000 project system was part of a multi-stage upgrade which included the installation of two 360-degree tug simulators plus new desktop simulation software specialising in liquid cargo handling and engine room operations.
“These significant upgrades have allowed us to reconfigure the Centre for Maritime Simulations to meet the changing needs of our clients and students, and we’re pleased to be able to offer them the most advanced simulation training experience in the world,” Professor Karlis said.
“Our facilities are used for maritime human factors research and investigation into port development, ship manoeuvring, and improving ship and port safety. They also help bridge the gap between theory and practice in the training of ship masters and deck officers. The upgraded Panasonic projector system enhances that capability and ensure AMC continues to be a leader in maritime simulation.”
An interactive 60-inch electronic chart table has also been developed in-house to record training sessions in the ship simulator and provide clients with debriefing capabilities. The final stage of the upgrade will be the installation of a standalone touchscreen engine room simulator expected to come online mid-2016.
Mr Freeman said that touchscreen technology was a recent advancement for training simulators and would allow for a more tailored experience.
“The advantages of having touchscreeen and computer displays are that you can load a variety of different engines and bring them up to do type-specific training. So the students will be virtually trained using the engines they encounter in the real world,” he said.