Rutter Donation - Strengthens Simulation Training at Marine Institute

(Above: Rutters Ice Radar on the Ships Bridge Simulator: [Pictured l-r] Fraser Edison, chief executive officer and president of Rutter; Brian Johnston, sales manager Americas, Rutter; and Captain Chris Hearn, director, Centre for Marine Simulation)

At the Fisheries and Marine Institute of ­Memorial University’s Centre for ­Marine ­Simulation (CMS), students and industry ­clients now have access to a state-of-the-art Sigma S6 Ice Navigator.

The system, provided by Rutter Technologies, has been integrated into CMS’s full-mission ship’s bridge simulator and will enhance the centre’s “Fundamentals of Ice ­Navigation” training program, a course which is ­delivered to industry to introduce concepts and ­practices of safe transit or operation in areas of ice.

“Providing CMS with our Sigma S6 Ice ­Navigator allows for the centre to offer ­hands-on experience in using the systems advanced ­capabilities for vessel operations in sea ice,” says Brian Johnston, sales ­manager, ­Rutter Technologies. “This will also allow Rutter to gather feedback from students and crew trainees, who use the ice navigator on how to improve the system’s usability as well as ­suggestions in system improvements.”

The ice navigator provides real-time, ­high-resolution radar imagery of pack ice as well as improved detection of multi-year ice, using standard marine X-band radars. Its ­purpose is to deliver enhanced time ­navigational safety for vessels, operating close to and in sea ice, as well as the input of ­valuable ice data for offshore drilling platforms and their ice management programs.

“Our partnership with Rutter Technologies demonstrates our ability to engage with ­local industry to integrate the latest ­technology into our training, while ­showcasing the ­institute’s enhanced safety and training ­capabilities for people working offshore,” says Glenn ­Blackwood, vice president, Memorial ­University (Marine Institute).

The ice navigator will greatly benefit ­students and industry clients, as it demonstrates ­technical leadership in bridge crew ­training and will provide trainees with a unique, ­hands-on experience, which they will be able to apply to practical offshore work.

CMS is pursuing potential partnerships with Newfoundland-based firms as a means of ­introducing their products into training ­programs while allowing for feedback on use, assessment of functionality, and highlighting the type of technology development ongoing in the province to an international clientele.

Ice navigation and developing simulation ­scenarios for operations in ice remains a big focus for CMS. The units continue to advance the quality of its bespoke training services to allow companies involved in operating in the arctic, or operating in ice covered waters such as the NL offshore to ensure safe and ­efficient activity. They provide their crew with the competence and confidence to deal with various situations including independent ­operations or in convoy with ice breakers.

Diverse groups ranging from shipping ­companies to coast guards and navies ­continue to use CMS to train their personnel for operating in ice conditions. It is this range of clientele that provides an excellent resource for technology companies to engage with CMS to get feedback on newly developed technology from people who could eventually use it.