Ketchikan, Alaska – New state-of-the-art radar equipment has recently been installed for the Radar Observer course by the University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan. Assistant Professor Dale Miller was available Friday to demonstrate the new equipment and gave a brief overview of the Radar Observer course. The course will offer certification and certification renewals for mariners in radar interpretation and collision avoidance.
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The computer software program, Navi Trainer, is used by many of the maritime academy’s around the world. It simulates 3 different models of radar including Bridge Master 5, Furuno and Nucleus. In addition, the program simulates the handling characteristics of 10 different vessels. The choices include a patrol boat, tug boat, fast ferry, cruise ship and super tanker among others. The simulator displays the view from the bridge of a vessel. The instructor controls the weather and waves as well as the movement of several dozen target vessels for each of the bridge stations. It is the responsibility of the student to determine the priorities, maneuver the vessel to avoid collision as well as interact with other vessels as stipulated by maritime law.
The software has the ability to simulate the lights of vessels and aids to navigation at night and then switch to daylight as well as simulate equipment failure. All these features offer valuable learning experiences for a variety of maritime courses. UAS Ketchikan has purchased charts with a variety of common bodies of water. In addition, the Long Island/Chesapeake Bay charts were purchased to be used in the Master 100 Ton/OUPV (6-Pack) course as well as other maritime courses.
According the information provided by the University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan, the U.S. Coast Guard approved the equipment this week for training and certification of captains, mates and others in the maritime industry. The first course utilizing the new equipment will be offered in November.
Link: University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan
Link: Transas