Engine Room Simulator is defined as a dynamic, real-time, process-based, high-fidelity simulator based on real engine physics that enhances realism in training. It allows students or junior marine engineers to perfect their skills in a virtual environment that provides real-time scenarios.
These engine room simulators play a crucial role in shaping future marine engineers. They allow room for error, which helps junior marine engineers to introspect and sharpen their skills. The engine simulator has only been around for a couple of years, but it is growing quite popular as a course requirement in many marine engineering colleges. Here are 8 reasons why Engine Room Simulator course in India is a good choice:
- Practical Exposure to Real-Time Scenarios
All engineers and officers should go through this course at some point in their marine engineering graduate program. This course can help give them a glimpse of various scenarios and situations they would have to face out there in the sea. The technical aspects concerning the functioning of the engine can also be covered with practical exposure in the engine room simulator.
- Familiarization with Technical Concepts
The engine room simulator allows officers to get familiarized with various tools and instrumentation found in the engine room. This helps the officers understand the technicalities of handling the engine room by giving them a real-time analysis of operations. They also get hands-on experience with tools and equipment that would be present in the actual engine room.
- Ability to Troubleshoot Problems
The simulator poses many real-time problems and exposure to the latest tools and technology. This allows officers to train and enhance their ability to deal with problems that may arise during their time onboard. This exposure to the technical problem allows officers to be ready to troubleshoot problems and also deal with these issues as and when they arise.
- Levels of Training
The simulator is also privy to the requirements set out in the revised STCW ’95 (as amended in 2010), which are the basic or standard training safety rules. It facilitates three levels of training:
- Low level – For familiarization
- Standard level – For standard operation and watchkeeping
- High-level – For advanced operation and troubleshooting (for Chief Engineers and 2nd Engineers).
Any marine officer can benefit from such an elaborate course set-up with such a detailed level of training.
- Top-Level Features
The engine room simulator has the following main components:
- Ship’s diesel propulsion plant
- Auxiliary systems (with local stations)
- Ship’s electric power plant
- Machinery sound imitation
- Alarm systems with sound & visual alarm unit
- 3D visualization for tanker LCC, LNG, Ro-Ro, ASD tug, OPV, and ANZAC frigate models
Exposure to such features in the simulation room allows students to be more adept in problem-solving and dealing with real-time problems.
- Course Options
Under engine room simulator courses, various sub-courses allow students to specialize in a certain area of engine room management. The sub courses are as follows:
– Electrotechnical Rating: The course provides trainees with minimum knowledge and understanding of basic theory and practical skills required for the electro-technical rating
– Engine Resource Management: The Engine Resource Management course directs the participants’ attention to items such as voyage planning, engine organization and procedures, and the management of the human resources, which comprise the engine team.
– Electrical Knowledge: This training course provides background knowledge to support subject functions and includes topics such as maintenance and fault prevention.
- Top-Level Skills
Upon completion of this course, students and officers will be able to become familiar with the instruments and parameters in the engine room. The skills the officers gather will allow them to develop an awareness of the need to follow a proper checklist. It also allows them to develop an understanding of engineering machinery. It also allows them to make a safer and more effective contribution to the operation of the vessel’s machinery. They also train them with decision-making capabilities during any kind of real-time situation.
- A Necessity
Finally, this course is a necessity if it comes down to a candidate wanting to be the best in terms of dealing with the engine room and all of its problems. This course allows officers to make mistakes and learn from them in a risk-free environment. The engine room simulator course operational level allows marine engineers and officers to go through a repetitive process of dealing with simulated problems on a day-to-day basis. This allows officers to be exposed to different problems and situations each day. This continuous exposure allows officers to develop certain intuition and knowledge when it comes to finally dealing with the onboard problems. The continuous exposure to machinery and instrumentation during the course allows them to be well equipped with a set of skills to be ready in any scenario.
The engine room simulator course in India has been operational and is receiving a lot of positive feedback from many marine engineering colleges. If you are a marine engineer and are looking to develop real-time knowledge, this course is for you.
