Alion Acquires Micro Analysis & Design; Technology Solutions Firm Purchases Human Systems Integration Solution Provider.
MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 22, 2006–Alion Science and Technology, a technology solutions provider for government and industry, today announced that it has acquired Boulder, CO – based Micro Analysis & Design (MA&D), provider of human factors engineering, modeling and simulation and software development. Terms of the deal, which was completed on May 19, 2006, were not disclosed.
“The acquisition of MA&D enhances Alion’s current capabilities in human systems integration, ship design and modeling and simulation,” said Bahman Atefi, Chairman and CEO of Alion. “MA&D has been recognized for their outstanding work for the US Army and Navy as well as hospitals and industrial customers. We are looking forward to the new capabilities and technologies that they will bring to our existing skill sets,” he explained.
Scott Fry, Alion Senior Vice President and manager of the company’s JJMA Maritime Sector, added, “MA&D is the premier human systems integration company supporting the Department of Defense today. The solutions they provide can be applied to any number of situations where people interact with control systems, making the personnel and systems more efficient which can reduce both space requirements and costs.”
The president of MA&D, Ron Laughery, said that becoming part of Alion was an opportunity for the company. “Our human systems integration solutions fit into Alion’s portfolio of military manpower solutions as well as their extensive modeling capabilities. With the added resources that Alion can provide, we can not only continue to give our existing customers outstanding support, but offer them even more complete solutions while adding to our customer base,” Dr. Laughery stated.
MA&D has offices in Boulder, CO and Orlando, FL with additional personnel located at customer sites.
About Alion Science and Technology
Alion Science and Technology is an employee-owned technology solutions company delivering technical expertise and operational support to the Department of Defense, civilian government agencies and commercial customers. Building on almost 70 years of R&D and engineering experience, Alion brings innovation and insight to multiple business areas: defense operations; modeling & simulation; wireless communication; industrial technology; chemical, biological, nuclear & environmental sciences; information technology; and naval architecture & marine engineering. Based in McLean, Virginia, Alion has more than 2700 employee-owners at major offices, customer sites and laboratories worldwide. For more information, call 877.771.6252 or visit Alion online at www.alionscience.com.
Lighthouse to launch Ship Simulator 2006
Leading publisher Lighthouse Interactive announced today that it has acquired the rights to the innovative PC game “Ship Simulator 2006”, in a deal with Dutch developer VSTEP…
Ship Simulator 2006 is a revolutionary new game that puts players at the helm of some of the most varied and detailed ships to be found at sea, where they will need to perform a multitude of tasks, all set within a stunning 3D environment. Players will take control of a wide array of ship types, from massive cargo ships to speedboats, yachts, water taxis and even the mighty Titanic. The waters you sail are also as varied as the ships, from the biggest harbours in the world, such as Rotterdam and Hamburg, to the calm aqua marine waters of the Thai Phi Phi Islands. Gamers will experience how challenging it is to steer the Titanic through shallow water, or just how it feels to navigate a cargo tanker or tug boat – including how diverse the controls are.
Transas Pacific supplies simulator suite for Malaysian Maritime Academy
Transas is proud to announce the successful execution of the tender for the supply of the Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator (LCHS) and Engine Room Simulator (ERS) for Malaysian Maritime Academy Sdn Bhd (ALAM), Melaka. The delivery project was sponsored by Petronas Maritime Services Sdn Bhd (PMSSB), a subsidiary of Pertonas.
The contract for the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of a Full Mission Ship-handling Simulator (FMSHS) at ALAM was awarded to Transas Marine Pacific. Configuration included DNV Class A full mission bridge with nine visual channels projected to the curved screen, consoles, mock-up and a full range of dedicated hardware to simulate a real ship’s bridge environment. A further three cubicle bridges each with three visual channels, and twelve CBT Navi-Trainer Professional 4000 ‘configuration A’ bridges were provided. Even though the time from order to delivery was short, Transas also provided customization of the simulator software and ship models much to the satisfaction of ALAM.
Following this project, Transas also won the tender to supply the LCHS and ERS for the Academy. Within the shortest possible contract period the building and infrastructure was prepared and the computer system was installed. At the moment the LCHS installation includes 10 trainee workstations of LCHS 2000 (Oil Tanker, Chemical Tanker, LPG), LCHS 4000 (Oil terminal and LNG spherical) and the ERS installation includes 10 trainee workstations of ERS 4000 (Container, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro). The LCHS and ERS are installed in separate rooms but can be used for joint training. The systems include state-of-the-art Engine Room and Liquid Cargo Handling simulators incorporating a wide range of training tasks, with a typical engine room layout and a classroom for Engine Room and Liquid Cargo Handling training. The Instructor control and monitoring stations feature the latest software for exercise development, conduct, debrief and analysis.
The project requires customization of models such as Kawasaki Steam Turbine, Wartsila Sulzer marine diesel engine, LNG Membrane and VLCC meaning that the project will be completed in phases. The first phase i.e. standard PC based application for ERS and LCHS was completed. Other phases for customization of the models mentioned are scheduled for completion in stages by March 2006 and December 2006.
ALAM has always had close links to the Petronas Corporation who as a modern, forward-thinking company, exemplify the new wave of shipbuilders who place education and development at the very core of their organizations. Graduates of ALAM can progress from the lower-level position of Cadet Officer or Rating to the highest level position of Master Mariner or Chief Engineer. Having access to the full range of advanced simulator equipment from Transas in their training, graduates are assured a very bright future in a whole host of maritime related fields.
Link: Transas Pacific
Study to examine impact of boating, industry on bay
(pbn.com)
The University of Rhode Island recently partnered with a marine research group and a Providence-based engineering firm to study issues of coexistence of tourism and recreational and commercial industry activities on Narragansett Bay.
The two-year, $155,000 study will be funded by a grant from the URI Transportation Center, matched by funds from the Maguire Group Inc. and Marine Safety International Inc., a port improvement researcher, which has a center in Newport.
The study will be conducted by students from the URI Graduate School of Oceanography and led by Candace Oviatt, director of URI’s Marine Ecosystems Research Lab. Co-principal investigators will be Captain Fred Bronaugh of Marine Safety and Victor Calabretta, senior vice president of operations at Maguire.
The study aims to statistically quantify peak maritime activity on the southern part of the bay. The data will then be correlated to bay shipping activity to determine issues of compatibility and coexistence. The initial catalysts for the study were the proposals for container shipping and LNG shipping on the bay, and, more recently, for efforts focused on homeland security.
According to Bronaugh, Marine Safety plans to incorporate the data from the research into its simulations and then study actual encounters between ships and recreational vessels. “This data will allow us to model reaction times to potential homeland security threats,” he added in a news release.
“We anticipate application of this data to other security activity on the bay as well,” said Calabretta. “For example, one of our study areas is immediately north of the Pell Bridge. The real-time activity data could be valuable to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority in its security studies and emergency plans. The Narragansett Bay Yacht Racing Association’s south bay racing chart shows many race courses that cross the navigation channel and go under the bridge. Using Marine Safety’s bridge simulator, we will be able to establish an actual racing scenario as it appears from the bridge of a ship, then test reaction times related to safety.”
“This research and technology transfer will dovetail very well with a companion study currently under way in the upper bay,” said Oviatt. That study, titled “Narragansett Bay Scope, an Examination of Human Interaction with the Marine Environment,” is being conducted by URI’s Department of Marine Affairs under the Sea Grant Program. The results of these two studies aim to provide a comprehensive definition of human activities on the bay.
Marine Safety International, based in New York, is a subsidiary of FlightSafety International, a Berkshire Hathaway company.
UC-METC now offers Ship Simulator, Bridge Teamwork
THE University of Cebu-Maritime Education and Training Center (UC-METC) now offers Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork (SSBT) as part of its Maritime Upgrading Courses intended for Marine Deck officers.
Wayne Co. Community College to teach emergency responses
With homeland security a growing concern for communities across metro Detroit, a local college has launched a $5.4-million facility that trains emergency officials in a real-life environment and features the first ship simulator in Michigan.
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The college’s ship simulator allows first responders to conduct antiterrorism exercises, search for weapons of mass destruction aboard a ship and deal with fires and fuel spills. Nearby sits a 45-foot-long airplane simulator, which allows emergency workers to conduct similar exercises.
UK. Port of Dover to host Maritime Careers Festival
BMF Members have been invited to participate in the 2006 Dover Maritime Careers Festival, which is being held at the Dover Cruise Terminal 2, Western Docks, Dover on the Friday 24th and Saturday 25th March. This is being staged in conjunction with the “Sea Vision (SE) Careers Group South Kent College and Port of Dover” , with the administrative assistance of Viking Recruitment Limited.
The event has been held over the past three years gaining greater interest on each occasion. Organisations attending included Shipping Companies, Marine Recruiting Agencies, the Royal Navy, Universities, Maritime Training Centres, the MCA and other marine related enterprises. Approximately 2000 pupils attended in 2005 from schools within the East Kent area and we can confirm that a number of companies were successful in obtaining deck and engine cadets for their future intakes. Most visitors took advantage of the opportunity of visiting the two vessels moored alongside the Cruise Terminal and talk directly with the crews.
With such a positive response, this year’s the event is aiming to generate a greater presence of shipping companies and marine related organisations. The event will be held at the Cruise Terminal with catering support by South Kent College. We are able to offer the RFA Wave Knight, a 31000 ton Fleet Support Tanker and the MCA tug, Anglian Monarch for people to have a look around. For more hands on activities within the terminal, the Transas ship handling simulator, which proved very popular in 2005 is expected to be available. Projection facilities will be available for promotional video and presentations.
Over 100 schools and colleges with pupils of 16yrs+ have been contacted and their attendance is being confirmed. South Kent Education Business Partnership are assisting with this. There will also be advertisements in the local newspapers and radio. This year the event coincides with the 400th Anniversary of the Dover Harbour Board and the Royal Naval Frigate, HMS Kent is visiting Dover over the weekend as part of the anniversary programme. Admiral the Lord Boyce GCB OBE DL, Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle.has agreed to open the event at 1100 on Friday 24th March. Local MP’s and Civic Dignitaries have offered support and will attend, diaries permitting.
The event will run from 1100 to 1730 on the Friday and 1000 hours to 1600 on the Saturday allowing pupils to attend with their schools and others who wish to attend, out of school hours, with their family. There are no charges involved for visitor entry. All participants are asked to make the event the most successful to date.
Exhibition space and facilities will be provided with admittance of four representatives. Exhibitors with special equipment i.e. simulators who require additional space or resources should make this clear when booking. Students attending will be offered information packs containing material supplied by exhibitors. Access to the terminal will be controlled by the Port of Dover with limited parking for exhibitors available. This event is supported financially by Donations from Local Authorities and Careers Groups, though exhibitors are asked to contribute a fee of £200-00 inclusive of VAT to guarantee space and cover administration costs. Exhibitors of charitable groups i.e. Sea Cadets are not required pay to support the event though commercial and corporate organisations are expected to donate toward the facilities offered. These funds will contribute to the setup and organisation of hosting the event.
To bring the Friday to a close, a drinks reception is planned for all exhibitors and local business people to attend. Exact arrangements to be advised nearer to the time.
As time is of the essence, space will be allocated on a ‘first come ““ first served’ basis and the deadline for attendance returns will be Wednesday 22nd February 2006.
Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy, Turku, Finland – Grand Opening
25 January, 2006, Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy (WLSA) today opened a new training centre in Turku, Finland. This is the latest step for WLSA in its development programme of opening three Academies for global coverage of training and competence management services to ship owners and power plant owners. A new training centre was opened at Subic Bay in the Philippines in November 2005 and the third is located in Fort Lauderdale, USA. The Academies form the spine in the global network of other locations at which WLSA also provides training services.
The new WLSA training centre was opened by Tage Blomberg, Group Vice President and Head of the Wärtsilä Service business. In his remarks, he said “These new training centres of WLSA form an important service to customers, helping them to equip their staff with many skills to further enhance their business.”
Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy is a part of Wärtsilä Corporation’s Service business. WLSA provides the full scope of training to cater for all the needs of ship owners and power plant owners. WLSA is supported globally by six product training centres.
The WLSA scope of service extends from the basic off-the-shelf, standard product courses to the full range of maritime training in connection with competence and career management.
The new training centre in Turku will hold nearly 200 courses during 2006 with some 2000 participants from around the world. The trainees will take advantage of the training centre’s ship-handling simulator bridges, as well as top-of-the-line engine room simulators, cargo-handling simulators, and steam and gas simulators, which all provide thorough hands-on training. All the simulators can be connected for full ship operation simulation. In addition to well-equipped classrooms, there are workshops for practical training also on engines, propulsion equipment, marine high-voltage electrical equipment, engine room ancillary equipment and control systems.
The provision at the new Turku training centre for supporting the growing LNG transportation market is worth special mentioning. The training centre is equipped to provide training on gas engines as well as LNG cargo handling. This is one of the ways that Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy continuously develops its services to support the changing business demands of the customers today and for the future.
AMC gets set for .5m tech makeover
Training in ship handling at the Australian Maritime College (AMC) in Launceston is to be improved with a $3.5 million grant to improve facilities.
The funding is part of the Federal Government’s $49 million national capital development pool.
AMC’s vice-president Professor Tom Hardy says the college’s ship handling simulator will be upgraded to improve maritime simulation capabilities.
“It will have more realistic, faster visuals to make it look more realistic, and [have] better interaction with currents, waves and wind that deal with ship handling in port – so the training will be will be very much enhanced,” he said.
Shipping simulated
Students at Shanghai Maritime University can now practice docking a ship in the city’s recently opened Yangshan Deep-Water Port without any risk of crashing into other boats, buoys or other obstacles.
The university has developed a ship simulator using three-dimensional animation, to train students majoring in navigation and built a virtual replica of the deep-water port for students to practice on.
Installed in the university’s campus navigation lab, the new system collected all basic information about the Yangshan Deep-Water Port “” such as wave, water and wind velocity “” and transferred it into the 3D simulator.
When students practice docking at the port, they will see a simulated video of the port, radar pictures and aeronautical maps on the five screens covering the lab wall.
The video of the port and water ahead look just like what a real captain would see as he pulls his ship into the harbor.
If the students slip up and crash the ship into an obstacle, the picture on the wall will tremble as if a real ship collided with a buoy or reef.
“The biggest highlight of this system is that it could avail students with the whole set of genuine operation environment so that students can get familiar with the new harbor beforehand,” said Xiao Yingjie, vice dean of SMU’s merchant marine college.
Xiao said that the system had collected three-dimensional information about 20 major ports around the world, so students can practice docking at any of those facilities without leaving campus.