International Journal
on Marine Navigation
and Safety of Sea Transportation
Volume 5
Number 1
March 2011
105
1 INTRODUCTION - INTERNATIONAL
REGULATIONS FOR MARITIME SAFETY &
SECURITY - LEVELS OF COMPETENCIES
AND SIMULATOR TRAINING
The Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security in
London in December 2002 adopted new provisions
in the International Convention for the Safety of Life
at Sea, 1974 and the International Code for the Secu-
rity of Ships and of Port Facilities - ISPS Code,
which came into force 01st July 2004. The Code is
in two parts, Part A which is mandatory and Part B
which is recommended. The minimum requirements
for ships respectively ports are ship (port facility)
security assessment, ship (port facility) security
plans in ports and on board the vessels and certain
security equipment. Apart from existing regulations
it is very important to recognize the importance of
permanent process in changing and developing pre-
cautions and measures implemented to fight terror-
ism in port and on board the vessel. Human mental
attitudes and motivation are important and necessary
for to creating a general atmosphere of security cul-
ture.
The situation in the shipping world with regard to
emergency preparedness is affected in general by the
following elements:
− Abilities and Experiences in case of „disturbed“
operation of systems are reduced or simply not
existing
− Multilingual Crews cause specific problems in
case of Emergency Situation
− Reduction of Crew Members causes lack of
available Personnel
− Complexity of Emergency Equipment is perma-
nently increasing, but Training in Emergency
Handling has not developed to the same standard
− New Management Systems and regulations of the
IMO (ISM/ISPS) demand new methods and
technology for emergency training
According to the demand for increased level of
training (see Figure 1) along with the requirements
for higher competency level the simulator equipment
New level of Integrated Simulation Interfacing
Ship Handling Simulator with Safety &
Security Trainer (SST)
K. Benedict, C. Felsenstein & O. Puls
Hochschule Wismar, Dept. of Maritime Studies, Rostock-Warnemuende, Germany
M. Baldauf
World Maritime University, Malmoe, Sweden
ABSTRACT: Simulators have proved beneficial for ship handling training in real time on well equipped
bridges throughout the last decades. The Maritime Simulation Centre Warnemuende (MSCW) has been com-
plemented by a new type of simulator called the Safety and Security Trainer (SST). Wismar University has
been involved in the conceptual design and development of this new technology. One of the most challenging
innovations developed during the research is the 3D-designed RoPax ferry “Mecklenburg-Vorpommern” for
the SST simulation system. An integrated support and decision system, called MADRAS, was interfaced into
the SST and the entire system was interfaced to the Ship Handling simulator SHS in order to assists officers
in coping with safety and security challenges during manoeuvres of the vessel (SHS). This new and enhanced
simulation facility allows for “in deep” study of the effects of the safety and security plans and procedures on
board and enable more detailed evaluation of their effectiveness under varying conditions and during different
courses of events by a different series of simulation runs. This paper will introduce the basic concept of the
safety and security training simulator and describe the work entailed for its integration into the complex envi-
ronment of full mission ship-handling-simulators. Selected results of a case study dealing with first basic im-
plementation of training scenarios will be demonstrated.
106
at Dept. of Maritime Studies of Hochschule Wismar
was extended: Additionally to the existing simula-
tors at the Maritime Simulation Centre Warnemuen-
de a new Safety and Security Trainer was imple-
mented and interfaced to allow for the training on
the highest level for the management level for inte-
grated training with full mission simulators in inter-
faced mode of operation.
Figure 1. Level of competence and required safety and security
training
2 INTEGRATED SIMULATION AT THE
MARITIME SIMULATION CENTRE
WARNEMUENDE (MSCW) WITH NEW
ELEMENT SST
The Maritime Simulation Centre Warnemuende
(MSCW) is one of the most modern simulation cen-
tres worldwide. The complex simulation platform
(Figure 2; Benedict 2000) with several full mission
simulators enables the department to simulate the
entire “system ship” with the maritime environment
including VTS and offers challenges to officers and
crew on board the vessels (http://www.sf.hs-
wismar.de/mscw/). The simulator arrangement
(MSCW) comprises already
− a Ship Handling Simulator SHS with for 4 Full
Mission bridges and 8 Part Task Bridges,
− a Ship Engine Simulator SES with 12 Part Task
station and
− a Vessel Traffic Services Simulator VTSS with 9
operator consoles
The new simulator, implemented as Safety and
Security Trainer SST, was designed by the manufac-
turer Rheinmetall Defence Electronics Bremen in
co-operation with Wismar University, Department
of Maritime Studies (Benedict et al 2008, Oesterle
2007). The simulator was originally designed in a
basic version and 2D presentation and is now being
developed into a 3D version. The simulator can spe-
cifically be used for stand alone and for integrated
training with the SHS (Figure 3). Beside the use for
training, the simulation system will be installed and
used also for specific simulation based studies into
potential upgrading of existing safety and security
procedures.
3 WORKPLACE CONCEPT OF SAFETY- AND
SECURITY TRAINER (SST)
10 stations are being installed in the MSCW this
year, eight training stations (one of the stations on
the SHS Bridge 1) and two instructor consoles as
well as one communication computer system and
another computer for a new support and decision
system called MADRAS. Each station (with head
phones or microphone for communication) consists
of two monitors. One screen is used as Situation
Monitor and the other is named Action Monitor. The
workplace concept provides full equipment for com-
prehensive safety and security training (Figure 2,
right).
A person simulating a member of the crew can be
moved by mouse clicks through the decks on the sit-
uation monitor. The name of selected person, health
index and moving type (standing, kneeing and lying)
is shown in the status display window, also the kind
of protective clothes worn by the figure.
Positioning the figure close to a consol the related
safety equipment is indicated as generic panel on the
action Monitor. All interaction is done on the action
monitor. If the acting person is not located close to
consoles or instruments representing safety equip-
ment, the action monitor shows the ship safety plan
of the appropriate deck.
For the instructor it is possible to create new or
editing existing exercises and store replays. Also
malfunctions, fire, water inrush and criteria for the
incorporated assessment can be set.
Integration of Fire Fighting System and Fire
Fighting Equipment: Most of the actions per-
formed by the trainees with the safety equipment are
performed on the action monitor. A fire model opti-
mised visually and given obvious realistic effects for
easy perception by trainees, is incorporated into the
simulator. A modern fire alarm management system
with smoke detectors and manual calling points is
built into the interior of the ship and easily flamma-
ble materials are protected by fire resistant A60
walls and doors.
The fire model includes smoke visualisation and a
fire fighting system and equipment such as fire ex-
tinguishers, water hoses and hydrants, breathing ap-
paratus, CO2 systems and foam. This enables the
trainee to simulate a realistic fire fighting situation
on board and interact with supporting teams as well
as the management team on the bridge and in the
engine room.
107
Figure 2. Overview on MSCW (left), Bridge 1 of Ship-Handling-Simulator (SHS) with new Displays of Bridge Safety & Security
Centre of SST and MADRAS Decision Support System (right top) and Training room of new Safety & Security Trainer of SST
(right bottom)
Figure 3. Simulation Centre Warnemünde (MSCW) – structure and interfacing network with new Safety & Security trainer SST
SST-bridge station:
Safety&
Secur i t y
Trainer
SST
7
108
During the simulation the persons’ health condi-
tion is monitored in relation to oxygen, smoke, tem-
perature and other health influencing parameters and
the measurements are monitored in diagrams
Integration of Water Inrush System: One fea-
ture of the simulation system is a model calculating
water inrush and its influence to the stability of the
ship. A ballast system is implemented and can be
used during simulation of an emergency instance to
help stabilize the ship. The trim and stability calcula-
tor is used to predict the effect of a water inrush and
show the stability, bending moments and share forc-
es. Water tight doors are built into the modelled ves-
sel. The ballast and stability measuring system is
implemented in the simulator, which enables the
trainee to take countermeasures.
4 SPECIFIC SIMULATION FEATURES FOR
THE RESEARCH PROJECT “VESPER”
4.1 Elements of the Research Project “VESPER”
The research project "VeSPer" is dedicated to the
"Enhancement of passengers' safety on RoRo-Pax-
ferries" and was designed thanks to various initia-
tives from the German government such as "Re-
search for civil safety" and specifically "Protection
of traffic infrastructures". The project is supported
by the Ministry of Education and Research, under
the aegis of the Technology Centre Düsseldorf
(VDI). One of the most challenging innovations de-
veloped during the research is the implementation of
the 3D-designed RoPax ferry “Mecklenburg-
Vorpommern” for the SST simulation system.
The focus of investigations within the project
"VeSPer" is laid on
− check-in procedures to increase the safety level
for entrances to ferry ships and ports
− preventive measures on board (constructive and
administrative)
− Sea side protection of ships in ports as well as in
open sea when sailing
− investigations into potential improvement of
measures in the case of a crisis
− The analysis and investigations deal with subjects
such as:
− use and optimisation of monitoring and detection
systems
− aspects of potential integration of decision sup-
port systems on board ships
− identification of potential for optimisation of pro-
cesses and measures/procedures including the in-
tegration of new innovative technologies and
− consideration and application of rules and regula-
tions according to national and international law
With reference to risk based scenarios in ports
and on board the vessels following investigations are
processed
− Process Analysis from entering the port, includ-
ing booking and check in procedures, on ap-
proaching access to the vessel and access of em-
barkation
− Process Analysis on board the vessel from em-
barkation/departure until arrival/disembarkation
− Analysis of the ISPS Code and measures for the
full integrated application on board
− Measurements for improved processes on board
and access to the vessels and developing new se-
curity technologies and procedures
− Development of a support decision system for
emergency measures on board the vessel in case
of safety and/or security casualties
4.2 Integration of innovative 3D-visual model of
SST
One of the most interesting innovations at the
MSCW – apart from recent investments to technical-
ly upgrade the system of the SHS which marks a fur-
ther noteworthy improvement and underlines the po-
sition of the MSCW as the leading simulation
institute in Europe – is the 3D-designed RoPax ferry
“Mecklenburg-Vorpommern” for the SST.
Figure 4. Deck 9 of the RoPax ferry in 3D visualisation
Figure 5. Public area of the RoPax ferry in 3D visualisation
The first step was to make an application of the
ship plans which were intricately realised in a 3D
Studio Max version by HSW for test trials of the
spectacular 3D-visualisation of the entire vessel. All
decks of the RoPax ferry are now available in the
3D-version and integrated along with the dynamic
safety equipment into the games engine by RDE.
Functional tests of the developed system are in pro-
109
gress and already running successfully. Figure 4 and
Figure 5 show the 3D visualisation of decks and
public areas of the ferry.
4.3 Safety and Security Components in the 3D
Visualisation Model
In the 3D model moves and reacts from his own per-
spective and can operate the entire spectrum of safe-
ty equipment on board the vessel. In the case of fire
he activates the alarm from the next manual calling
point. According to the safety procedure on board,
and after the release of the fire alarm from the
bridge, the fire squad team (each trainee with specif-
ic role) will operate the fire fighting equipment in-
cluding the breathing apparatus, fire protection suits,
fire extinguishers, fire hoses and other tools located
in the safety lockers or placed in the fire boxes (Fig-
ure 6 and Figure 7).
Figure 6. Fire fighting / smoke propagation in public area on
deck 5 RoPax ferry
Figure 7. Crew in action with fire fighting equipment car deck
5 RoPax ferry
Figure 8. Bridge and interactive consoles
Figure 9. Engine control room with interactive consoles
Figure 1 Bomb search in the lounge and removal of suspicious
object
On the bridge (Figure 8) and in the engine control
room (ECR - Figure 9) all the operational consoles
including; steering panel, fire panel, alarm panel,
ballast- and stability panel and the water drenching
system, are designed to a generic model and can be
integrated on other designed vessels as well. All
consoles and panels on the bridge and in the ECR
correspond to the integrated sensors placed all over
the vessel. The Master and officers operate an inter-
active board system and can be trained in a wide
spectrum focussing on safety and security proce-
dures.
In addition, the security components can be prac-
tised on the new simulator. For example the RFID
based appliance, which is integrated into the SST
bridge station, enables the officer to observe the
movement of persons on board. In all security de-
clared areas the doors are locked and the areas are
accessible only by entering the specific code into the
lock system beside the doors. On all decks cameras
are installed and can be monitored from the bridge
station. The camera view can be changed and adjust-
ed by the instructor.
In the case of a bomb alert the crew can investi-
gate the affected area with a bomb detector. On ap-
proaching any dangerous object, the detector sounds
alarm. Figure 10 shows a crewmember crawling in
the direction of a suspicious suitcase. When the
bomb has been identified the dangerous object can
be removed with a new remote controlled defence
system called TELEMAX. This multipurpose vehi-
cle can be used to detect and approach any suspi-
cious objects from a safe distance using the remote
control.
110
The threat of gas attack has also been integrated
into the simulation system of mars³. In this kind of a
threat the crew could approach the affected area
wearing protection suits and breathing apparatus and
can undertake all appropriate measures, i.e. for ven-
tilation and evacuation of passengers.
4.4 Support and Decision System MADRAS
The simulation platform includes a new support and
decision system called MADRAS. This system was
designed by the company MARSIG mbH Rostock
and especially tailored for the SST simulator and the
simulated RoPax Ferry “Mecklenburg-
Vorpommern”. The MADRAS computer is linked to
the mars³ simulator and receives the sensor data
from the SST. The control module selection contains
the following elements for automatic survey; FIRE,
EXPLOSIVES, SECURITY, EVACUATION,
GROUNDING and FLOODING. In the event of any
sensor alarm the Madras menu opens and displays
the affected deck/area with the activated alarm sen-
sor. The following menus can be selected:
MONITORING – list of all existing sensors,
grouped in different types and presenting the actual
data of sensors
DECISION SUPPORT – recommendation struc-
ture and decision advise in specific safety- and secu-
rity issues including necessary procedures:
OVERVIEW– deck overview displaying all in-
stalled sensors and highlighting the activated ones
including diagrams
DEVICE CONTROL – list of all sensors – ac-
cording to type, location, showing maximum and
minimum values and the adjustable alarm level
PROTOCOL CHECK– date and time of sensor
activation, location loop of sensors, duration of
alarm, values of alarm and time record for reset
CONTROL – menu for sensor connections, sup-
port manager, value input, extended functions and
system options
MADRAS is an interactive system and is a help-
ful tool for Master and officers in critical situations.
The system guides the officer through all necessary
choices and helps in finding the correct emergency
procedures. This helps to avoid dangerous mistakes
and ensures not missing any steps imperative for the
safety of the vessel.
MADRAS was recently installed into the SST
and is still under development. Test trials are run-
ning successfully. The basic system of MADRAS
was tested on board of the ferry “Mecklenburg-
Vorpommern” during the last two years.
5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Within the frame of investigations into potential en-
hancements of maritime safety and security the use
of simulation facilities were investigated. The Safety
and Security Trainer SST is a new product devel-
oped by Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (RDE)
Bremen in co-operation with the Wismar University,
Department of Maritime Studies in Rostock-
Warnemuende. It can be operated in a standalone
version for up to eight training stations and could be
extended to include the training of the entire crew.
The SST is also designed for integration into com-
plex systems and was interfaced now with the exist-
ing ship handling simulator SHS of the MSCW for
training of comprehensive scenarios in combination
with the SHS, SES und VTS. The complex simula-
tion platform with the full mission simulators ena-
bles the trainees to simulate the entire ship system
and presents challenges to both officers and crew. A
new quality of scenarios can be generated now for
the comprehensive training of ship officers. On the
other hand this new and enhanced simulation facility
allows for in depth studies of the effects of ship’s
safety procedures and to evaluate their efficiency.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The investigations and developments described here
are mainly performed in a project for research and
technical development funded by the German Minis-
try of Education and Research Berlin and surveyed
by VDI Technology Centre Düsseldorf. During the
project also cooperation were established with
World Maritime University. This cooperation covers
e.g. aspects of international harmonisation of train-
ing requirements and standards. The authors would
like to thank Rheinmetall Defence GmbH as well as
the company AIDA Cruises Ltd and the involved
ferry companies TT-Line and Scandlines for their
grateful assistance and cooperation.
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