Navigation goes down the integration route

Navi-Radar 3000, a PC-based radar display system with advanced ARPA and chart facilities and extended integration capabilities has been launched by Transas.

These integration capabilities include the ability to exchange data with Navi-Sailor 3000 ECDIS or ECS, Navi-Fisher 3000 and Navi-Conning 3000.

All three systems can be installed on a single PC to offer a single collection of electronic charts, each-way information exchange and the use of the Radar Integrator Board from Transas, which the company claims is a functionally advanced but cost effective radar image processing unit.

The ability of Navi-Radar 3000 and Navi-Sailor 3000 to operate in a network, allows the exchange of route, target and navigational information not only between systems onboard the same ship, but also between multiple vessels and a shore-based control centre.

Navi-Radar 3000 performs the full radar and ARPA functionality in compliance with IMO resolution A.823 (19) and is also capable of displaying cartographic information (SENC) underneath the radar image. Chart information is displayed in compliance with IEC 60936-3 standard and comprises safety contours, coastline, recommended traffic separation zones, own ship route, as well as surface and submerged objects. The chart can be presented in colour or monochrome, with or without filling and in a variety of colour palettes.

Navi-Radar 3000 can operate with a number of X- and S-band scanner types from the world?s leading manufacturers. Transas says that it is also possible to connect the Navi-Radar 3000 display to any other scanners for the support of ARPA and chart display functions. For ease of operation, all Navi-Radar 3000 controls are conveniently displayed on the PC screen and imitate the front panel of the actual radar.

South Tyneside College has recently completed the installation of a new £250,000 ($390,000) Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) training and simulation centre, making VTS training simulations more realistic than ever.

The new facility incorporates the latest technology following IALA V103 guidance, for which it was the first to be awarded Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) approval. The new training facility will bring an added realism to courses at the college because all of the equipment is identical to that used in real VTS control centres – equipment from Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems.

The Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems VOC 5060 software family used in the system is the same system used by VTS operators in ports across the world. The simulator system exceeds IALA recommendations for V103 (1) and V103 (2) courses, the training standard for VTS operators and supervisors.

“Apart from the layout of the building, everything about the new system is identical to the real thing,” says Paul Hodgson, simulation centre resource manager. “We have chosen world leading equipment and we will be one of the first VTS training centres to be using the same equipment found in many real VTS control rooms, but configured for simulation,” he explains.

The latest version equipment has been used featuring the VOC 5060 and VDB6070 Snorre port database software used by VTS operators across the world. In addition, the Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems Polaris ship simulator software has been used, which completes the picture by integrating the VTS facilities with four desktop simulated ships bridges.

The new centre has VHF radios and intercoms, space for four VTS operator stations and five ship operator stations, all with two monitors showing radar displays, database information and environmental data.

In addition to the VTS equipment, the new centre also takes the importance of human factors into account. The debriefing stage is a vital part of the learning process, and each operator is individually monitored by video cameras and microphones for training and assessment. This is then played back to the whole group in the exercise debriefing using digital projectors. Reviewing footage is a valuable way to improve performance and show how the operators work as a team and cope in different and sometimes difficult situations.