Ship Bridge Simulator

At the Centre for Marine Simulation, a range of activities is integrated into a six degree of freedom full bridge simulator, engine simulation systems and a MODU ballast control simulator. Facilities include: full motion bridge, propulsion plant, dynamic positioning, navigation and blind pilotage, global maritime distress and safety, and ballast control and cargo operation.

Model test programs often involve questions of operation and operability. The full motion bridge simulator in particular provides a capacity to assess in real time, with an operator involved, whether a design is capable of meeting its intended operational functions. The simulator features: a full motion platform base offering a full range of motion simulation; a 360 panoramic display; an array of working vessel controls; electronic chart system; simulated DGPS; and a database of reference data (including ship designs, digital coastlines, visual overhead views, and underwater maps).

Instrumentation and Equipment:

• Full-size Modular Ship Bridge
  
• Full-motion Platform Base Actuated in Six Degrees of Freedom (provides motion cues and special buffet effects including engine vibration, wave impact and collision)
  
• Visual Screen with 360° Horizontal Field of View
  
• 10 High-resolution Projectors
  
• Advanced Computer-generated Imaging System (creates and modifies 3-dimensional full-color visual scenes including target ships and land masses)
  
• Four-channel Sound System (provides realistic sounds of engines, sea, vessel movement and wind)
  
• Electronic Chart System
  
• Simulated DGPS Positioning System
  
• Data Bridge 2000 Integrated Navigation System
  
• Array of Working Vessel Controls (including helm, compass, radar, radio, engine and thruster controls)

Applications:

• Training in Advanced Navigation, Piloting and Bridge Resource Management
  
• Simulation of Ship Hulls and Offshore Structures


• Training in Ship Handling, Single Point Mooring and Station Keeping

Tests Performed:

• Seakeeping
  
• Maneuvering
  
• Motion Studies of Ships and Offshore Structures in Wind, Tide, Current and Precipitation
  
• Ship Model/Bottom Interaction
  

Related Projects:

• Bridge layout and bridge visibility
  
• Navigating a particular harbor approach
  
• Navigating an approach to a loading buoy or other offshore structure
  
• Full dynamic positioning and thruster control over a wide range of environmental conditions
  
• Piloting simulations
  
• Single point mooring simulations
  
• Offshore structure towing
  
• Ship handling
  
• Tanker operations
  
• Ballasting operations.

Download Specification Sheet