SVITZER, with headquarters in Denmark, is one the leading operators of tugs with activities in more than 30 countries and a rapidly growing fleet of modern tugs. The company pursues a training and security strategy focused on training its staff with a view to minimising personal injury, damage to own and third-party property and the environment. SvitzerWijsmuller therefore decided to invest in a world-class training simulator used for both standard operations and more critical situations.

A close association with existing vessel simulators

The order was won through an international tender, and SVITZER decided to collaborate with FORCE Technology. By building the simulator in close collaboration with the existing ship simulators at FORCE Technology in Lyngby it was possible to integrate the tug simulator with the tanker ship simulator.

The simulation system was developed on the basis of the SimFlex Navigator developed by FORCE Technology. When simulating tug operations, consideration must be given to a number of factors that do not occur in ordinary ship simulators. Firstly, the tug is able to manoeuvre much more quickly and to a much greater extent than a traditional vessel, and secondly, there is considerable interaction between the big tanker and the tug, e.g. by way of towlines, winch function and wake. All these factors must be modelled correctly into the simulator to ensure the staff are trained to develop the right skills.

FORCE Technology course training

Prior to the mathematical modelling of the sailing and manoeuvrability of the tug we performed physical model tests and measurements onboard the actual ship. A tug bridge with real-life equipment was built on one of the existing simulator bridges, and the visual system was expanded to reflect that available to the captain on the bridge. Moreover, FORCE Technology prepared course material to train four people on a four-day course on how to handle a modern tug. It was agreed that a large number of courses would be run in the coming years.

Time savings and fewer resources needed

In future, when SVITZER plans to train new staff, the simulator training will ease the process and require fewer resources and the crew and materials safety is improved too. Today, training is carried out by the senior officer looking over the shoulder of the experienced captain during normal operations. In the simulator, however, you can manage the controls right from the beginning with a risk-free performance in a number of training events, notably critical ones, that are conducted much more quickly than in real life.

During the entire process, experienced captains from SVITZER tested the ship model, simulator and exercises to check the results against expectations. There are high expectations for the project and in future the simulator is expected to be further expanded with new types of tugs and additional features to ensure optimum training conditions for SVITZER.

FORCE Technology is a versatile and competent collaboration partner for maritime projects. Besides supplying training simulators to our customers, we offer a wide spectrum of services from the training of officers in one of our five in-house ship simulators to consulting on ships, drilling rigs, building design, etc.