Development of Ship Maneuvering Training Programs Based on Dynamic Positioning Simulator

Abstract

In recent years, marine development for undersea energy resources and offshore wind power, development areas are expanding from shallow waters along the coast to deep waters in the open ocean due to technological advances. Generally, the DP (Dynamic Positioning) system is used to maintain a fixed point by automatically controlling propellers and thrusters or other propulsion unit against wind/wave disturbances for holding ship’s position. Engineers such as university students and DPOs (Dynamic Positioning Operators) engaged in marine development need to acquire sufficient understanding and knowledge of such marine development-specific operations and ship handling methods. Since a handling error caused by the DPO will cause an operation stop and accidents, it is necessary to conduct training method in the environment that is more suited to the actual situation. In this research, the author constructed a DP simulator that simulates the actual sea area and targets multiple DP ships. The author has also developed six types of classroom and DP simulator hands-on training programs, respectively. Finally, we conducted an educational experiment on the students and evaluated the achievement level and improvement points of this training program using the evaluation method of student questionnaire.