The Chilean Navy’s Naval School “Arturo Prat†has officially inaugurated their newly installed Transas NTPRO 4000 Navigation Simulator, thus achieving a milestone that has been a long term goal of theirs.
The opening ceremony was presided by the Navy’s Teaching Director, Commodore Rafael González Rosenqvist, joined by the Naval School Director, Cap. Osvaldo Schwarzenberg Ashton, staff officials, professors, cadets, Transas Contract Manager, Mr. Francisco Palumbo and Sales Manager of the Transas Chilean representative, Naval Radio, Mr. Andrey Goriachev.
The simulator represents a significant step into virtual teaching methods for the Chilean Navy, utilizing simulation databases specific to their operations.
The installed simulator includes five Navigation modules allowing the simultaneous training of up to twenty-five cadets in navigation and tactical maneuvers, and in the use of highly realistic ECDIS and ARPA/Radar systems, in real time. Simulator functionality includes a suite of capabilities specific to Naval Operations.
An Instructor room has also been included in the delivery, whereby five navigation bridges may be controlled, supported and viewed, via a suite of software Instructional tools, and a remotely operated camera system. The Instructor has a range of interactive capabilities to adjust exercise parameters to check and confirm trainee actions when facing situations and technological components that are similar to those likely to be encountered aboard Chilean Naval vessels.
Each of the bridges includes a chart table and navigational instruments to enable trainees to learn to effectively navigate the vessel using both traditional and modern methods. Hands-on controls include propulsion and steering equipment, and an industrial joystick and trackball system for course and RPM control. Finally, the facilities have a Meeting Room where the simulation scenario may be displayed at the Instructor’s request, in order to carry out pre and post briefings of each exercise.
During his opening ceremony speech, the Chief of project-related activities at the Naval School, Lt. Com. Mauricio Arenas Menares, said that the exclusive use of this navigation simulators by the Cadets allows “training them in the skills to be used in the short and medium term as subordinate officers sailing our Navy’s modern vessels.†He added “Our Navy cannot withhold efforts or resources when the training and safety of our personnel is at stake during operations, just as it cannot do so when dealing with the training of those who will someday conduct said operationsâ€.
After the blessing of the facilities, the Navy Training Director cut the three colored ribbon, while Cadets performed a demonstration exercise conducted by Captain Roberto Leniz Drapela, who is in charge of the Navigation Simulator.
Naval Radio, the Transas representative in Chile, is a privately-owned limited company based in Valparaiso, offering a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for the marine industry, including on-board and shore-based applications. The company specializes in the installation, repair, maintenance, inspection and certification of marine systems, logistics, and electronic, electrical and computer consultancy.
