Panama Canal Authority Administration Complex.
Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems Inc. (KMSS Inc.) of West Mystic, Connecticut, is pleased to announce the award of a major contract from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) for a POLARIS Full Mission Shiphandling Simulator System. The contract was won through a competitive procurement process involving several international suppliers.
The POLARIS Shiphandling Simulator System, to be installed in the ACP's new Maritime Training Facility complex in Balboa, will include three Instructor Stations, two Debriefing Stations, two Full Mission Ship Bridges, an Auxiliary Towboat Bridge, and simulation development tools including a Database Development Station and a Ship Model Development Station. An assortment of databases from the KMSS library of models as well as the entire Panama Canal geographic database will be supplied. A variety of hydrodynamic ownship and target ship models will simulate ship transits in the Panama Canal. Bridge 1 offers a full 360-degree visual system, while Bridge 2 offers a 150-degree visual system. Bridges 1 and 2 are designed with full ship maneuvering and navigational instrumentation including maneuvering consoles, chart tables, Radar/ARPA displays, and ECDIS units. The Towboat Auxiliary Bridge will include a walk-around console with interchangeable "drop in" Voith Schneider and Z-Drive tug controls. All three bridges will be networked for interactive simulator exercises.
Panama canal.
The ACP is recognized as the primary contributor of skilled personnel to the Panama Canal and the Panamanian maritime industry. As such, the winning system was required to have the flexibility and fidelity to cover a wide range of training requirements, including basic cadet training, license renewal training, and situational training for experienced Masters and Pilots. The system will also support a variety of research projects and studies, relating to the maneuverability of different ship types in narrow channels, as well as assessments of anchorages, turning basins, and berthing areas.
World class maritime training facility Capt. Herbert Taylor, President of KMSS Inc., stated, "We are very pleased to win this competitive award and to add the Panama Canal Authority to our family of simulator users. The ACP is a trendsetter in maritime training and we look forward to a partnership based on a mutual desire for a world class maritime training facility."
World leader in maritime simulation With almost 30 years experience and customers in 65 countries, KMSS Ship Simulation is the world leader in maritime simulation. KMSS provides training products covering the entire spectrum of maritime education including Ship's Bridge, Communications, Propulsion Plant, and Cargo Handling. These can be linked together to form "total ship" training systems.