Marine Engineering Simulator-Maritime Training Center, NKUST

Marine Engineering Simulator

ERS is a full mission simulator and is configured with the system software provided by KONGSBERG, a leading simulator company in Norway. ERS can simulate system operations in engine room and engine control room with a PC system. The simulator provides a variety of system failures for emergency training, in an effort to provide effective and systematic training to engine crew at management level in view of consistent navigation safety. In addition to engine, generator, and boiler, the simulator also has four operational systems, a trainer control room, an electrical power control room, and various instruments for different types of training.

Simulator-based training provides a teaching efficiency between Dramatized Experiences and Contrived Experiences. Therefore, IMO strongly recommended using ERS as one of the essential maritime education equipment in Regulation I/12 of the STCW Convention of Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW 2010).

Simulator-based training can not only provide high-efficiency engine operation training, supplementing classroom teaching and workshop internship, but also provide integrated training on engine debugging and troubleshooting, main and auxiliary engines and associated systems. Simulators are indispensable training equipment to improving the international competitiveness of Taiwan maritime education. MOTC acquired the ERS for MSTC, NKUST in response to the introduction of STCW 2010.

The ERS was accepted at MSTC, NKUST on March 18, 2003 and has been certified according to Standard for Certification of Maritime Simulator System. As a Class A ERS, it is designed for planning engine room operation exercises on ship. The ERS is a Full-Mission Engine Room Simulator (FMERS).

Trainer workstation

Main engine system uses the programme developed by Kongsberg Nor control for VLCCs. The system with MAN B&W 5L90MC main engine simulation programme can provide engine operation training, engineering watch training, engine debugging and troubleshooting, and integrated or separate training on main and auxiliary engines and associated systems. The system works with the sound system to provide engine room control, operation, and warning sounds, to provide users with immersive experience.
The trainer can monitor operations of all trainees and the environment in the control room and make appropriate instructions through the trainer workstation, so as to improve teaching efficiency and results.

Engine room control simulation

Engine Room Simulator (ERS) is a full mission simulator and is configured with the system software provided by NORCONTROL, a leading simulator company in Norway. Engine room control simulation can include engine room electrical power distribution and engine room control. In particular, engine operation training includes basic seawater pipeline system operation training, advanced main engine cylinder monitoring system diagram, and electrical power system management training. Engine room electrical power distribution simulation can simulate a marine electrical power distribution system.

Engine room control simulation can also simulate engineering watch training. Trainees can, with various genuine marine instruments and an engine room control panel, conduct engineering watch training, including maneuvering a ship inward and outward a port, navigational watch, and anchor watch.

Engine room operation simulation

Engine room operation simulation provides a total of seven computer simulation scenarios covering all engine room operations, and can provide engine debugging and troubleshooting simulation, interpretation of cylinder pressure diagram to analyze engine’s compression and explosion pressure, data including injection timing data, and troubleshooting for delay in engine injection timing.

It can also provide integrated or separate training on main and auxiliary engines and associated systems. The engine load analysis system can optimize propulsion horsepower and output horsepower of engine. It can also provide separate training on auxiliary boiler ignition system and diesel generator operation training. It has a genuine control panel to simulate facilities on current vessels, receive engine orders from the bridge, and give appropriate orders.

PC practice workstation

The PC practice workstation provides six computer simulation scenarios of engine room operations, meeting general usage by trainees and teaching prior to operating on simulators, to allow trainees to receive simulator-based training step by step. The computer programme in the practice workstation is the same as the programme in the full mission simulator. The two complement each other for intended purpose.

Briefing room

The preceding figure shows the briefing room of ERS which can accommodate up to 30 trainees and provides a tidy and comfortable environment. The briefing room is equipped with an advanced projector which can be used for exercise, video and briefing teaching. Further, briefing teaching can proceed concurrently with trainee operation exercise.

Facility