Bridge simulators boost training in the north

Navy’s patrol boat force will be better prepared for protecting Australia’s northern advances thanks to two new bridge simulators implemented at Defence Establishment Berrimah, Northern Territory.

CAPTION: Midshipman Xavier Ryan takes a bearing fix in one of the new bridge simulators located at Defence Establishment Berrimah, Darwin. Story by Richard Wilkins. Photos by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

The two new containerised simulators are based on the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels and are provided by Pivot Maritime International.

They are designed to simulate bridge operations at sea and support a full range of navigation training, including coastal navigation, in-company work with other ships, confined waters pilotage and a range of other mariner skills evolutions.

The two simulators can operate independently or be linked together in the same training environment.

Officer in Command Maritime Warfare Officer (MWO) Course Lieutenant Commander Simon Fenech said the simulators offered a significant training advantage to MWO students and the minor war vessel fleet.

“Having the simulators located in Darwin is a great support to locally based units and students who previously had to travel to HMAS Watson in Sydney for bridge simulator training,” Lieutenant Commander Fenech said.

“This new capability for the region will provide a large range of training opportunities to a number of key stakeholders.”

CAPTION: Members of HMAS Albany use a new bridge simulator.

Pivot Maritime International is a Tasmanian company that specialises in portable simulators, from single-unit VR consoles to containerised full-mission bridge simulators, such as the ones located in Darwin.

Pivot Managing Director Jeffrey Hawkins said the simulators prepared people for challenging conditions.

“Our goal is to keep people in peak performance, whether they are on land or at sea,” Dr Hawkins said.

“We design our simulators to prepare navigators to safely and successfully guide their vessels in often challenging environments.”

Students posted to sea-going vessels of Navy’s minor war vessel fleet on the sea training period component of the MWO Course will have the ability to continue their navigation training and development while their unit is alongside in Darwin.

The training will be conducted under the supervision of their ship’s navigator, executive officer or commanding officer.

The simulators are also available for other navigation warfare courses, sea-going units or teams conducting pre-workup training, command team training, continuation training and revalidation training in certain areas such as obtaining a helmsman certificate.

The implementation of the two new simulators represents one of the latest steps in Defence’s ongoing efforts to enhance the capability of Australia’s northern bases.

CAPTION: Two new bridge simulators located at Defence Establishment Berrimah for training Navy’s patrol boat force.

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