thedcn.com.au
43
March 2024
Cross-border maritime education and sophisticated training
technology are broadening horizons for students and mariners,
Abby Williams writes
imulators appear to be bringing the maritime
world closer together. Bigger ships, wilder
weather and the wave of realisation that the
industry needs more people – and fast – means
more mariners are training on bridges that
aren’t really bridges at all.
Modern simulation technology is expensive,
but not as expensive as the on-water mishaps it
has surely prevented. The simulations are now so
accurate and sophisticated that they can support
port development and risk-free testing of various
scenarios. And the students, crews, marine pilots
and harbour masters who gather there have often
travelled a long way.
Australians may travel interstate to train at these
facilities, but others have come from overseas. Some
programs have fostered global partnerships between
training institutions and, in this case, an Australian
pilotage service provider.
FROM PORT HEDLAND TO THE WORLD
Port Hedland Pilots and the Samundra Institute of
Maritime Studies (SIMS) in India are collaborating on
a training program designed to ensure safe operations
as ships call the port of Port Hedland.
SIMS is a training initiative of Executive Ship
Management (ESM), a Singapore-based company
which established the facility to provide a regular
source of officers and crews as it diversified its fleet.
To support ESM’s expansion into the bulk market
trade, SIMS developed a simulator-based course that
would prepare seafarers for the bulk export colossus
that is Port Hedland.
SIMS enlisted the help of PHP to develop a
simulator experience that replicates the scenarios
and challenges that crews and vessel operators
encounter at the Australian port. This approach
to training blends navigational, operational and
technical elements and covers concepts such as
bridge team management, human factors and
inspection regimes.
The drawcard is the inclusion of marine pilots –
real ones – in the simulation and learning process.
SIMS and PHP have found that having PHP pilots
present during development and periodical review of
this course to share insights and answer questions
improves the crew’s performance and safety.
“We came to know that Port Hedland is very
strategic for Australia, and we can’t just set up an
ordinary course; it has to be a very good course and
a very hands-on course,” SIMS principal Maneesh
Jha said.
The product of that understanding is a two-day
program addressing navigational concerns and
operational challenges. Mr Jha said all navigating
officers are able to attend the course.
PHP pilot Matt Shirley said there are strict
processes in place at the port of Port Hedland,
to the real world