A MARITIME simulator suite has been installed at the South Metropolitan TAFE campus in Fremantle.
The $2-million simulator technology intends to help future shipmasters, officers and engineers prepare for maritime careers. The Western Australian government is funding the project.
The simulators will be designed to enable training for operations such as navigation, ship handling and manoeuvring, bridge watch-keeping and ship interaction.
They will also enable training for varying environmental conditions, communication and Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, tugging and tow master/pilot training and responses in emergencies.
The government said the simulators will be developed to meet the regulatory requirements of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and international maritime safety standards.
Kongsberg Digital in Norway was awarded the contract for bridge, engine, electronic chart display and ship stability simulators; and Wartsila Voyage Limited in Finland received the contract for the GMDSS.
WA training minister Simone McGurk said the suite of maritime simulators would be a “huge boost” to the maritime students at South Metropolitan TAFE.
“By training with cutting edge technology and real-time simulation, it will go a long way to ensuring students are job ready for this exciting industry.
“This investment for specialised maritime qualifications will further enhance South Metropolitan TAFE’s reputation as one of the largest and most influential maritime training institutes in Australia.”
The Western Australian government is funding the simulators under its $215.8 million investment across the state’s five TAFE colleges.
The maritime hardware and software will be ready for students to use from the first semester of this year.
