NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (NNS) — “Stand by for ship lines, come left, steer course 005, phoning line is across,” commanded Ensign Scott Parker, the communications officer on board USS Bridge (AOE 10) a supply-class fast combat support ship, homported in Bremerton, Wash.
These commands are commonly used by bridge crews during an underway replenishment at sea. However, the particular commands from Parker came from the Marine Safety International (MSI) bridge simulator on dry land at Naval Base San Diego.
The main objective of MSI is to use the latest state-of-the-art simulation techniques to provide a realistic ship maneuvering, navigation and decision-making environment without real world risks. Each training session focuses on the decision-making process rather than the reaction of a certain situation, which an officer of the deck would receive underway in real time operations. The ship handlers use the simulators to practice different at-sea evolutions, as many times as they like until they achieve the results they desire. After spending time in the simulator one of the instructors will sit down and critique their performance.
The professional instructors at MSI work to build a ship driver’s knowledge, skill and judgment. According to retired Capt. Robert Richardson, who has been an instructor at MSI for six years, he feels the simulator is an ideal learning environment.
“This environment allows the watchstanders to learn without the fear of making a mistake. If you make a mistake in the simulator and run a ship aground, besides some embarrassment, there is no damage to the ship. Most people learn from their mistakes and the simulator allows them to make them without damaging the ship.”
For seven members of Bridge, the visit to MSI’s ship handling training course was a chance to train giving commands on a simulated bridge. MSI has a fleet of ship response models covering both combat and support ships. From tugboats and merchant crafts to cruisers and carriers, each model has been tailored by experienced naval officers to match the handling characteristics of each ship. This allows each person being trained, to experience real life situations in a simulated environment.
Link: MSI