SOUTH Tyneside College is set to launch a revolutionary piece of training software for the cruise ship industry.
The college has teamed up with marine electronics giant Kongsberg Maritime to develop new software which, for the first time, allows both engineers and bridge staff to be trained together in live realistic exercises.
It will help cruise companies receive tangible financial benefits from insurance savings.
Chris Thompson, head of marine simulation at South Tyneside College, said: “This new software will revolutionise operational training for the cruise industry.
“Although training programmes already exist for bridge and engine room cruise vessels separately, there really is no substitute for training exercises which simulate a real-life situation in real time with the entire ship’s staff working together.”