WHY TRAINING IN SHIP HANDLING?

The safe handling of ships depends on many factors - on ship's manoeuvring characteristics,
human factor (operator experience and skill, his behaviour in stressed situation, etc.), actual
environmental conditions, and degree of water area restriction.
Results of analysis of CRG (collisions, rammings and groundings) casualties show that in
one third of all the human error is involved, and the same amount of CRG casualties is attributed to
the poor controllability of ships. Training on ship handling is largely recommended by IMO as one of
the most effective method for improving the safety at sea. The goal of the above training is to gain
theoretical and practical knowledge on ship handling in a wide number of different situations met in
practice at sea.

WHY MANNED MODELS?

Besides "on job" training there are basically two methods of training mariners in ship
handling: training using real time bridge simulators, and training using physical simulators where
large self propelled manned models are employed.
The most effective way to train ship masters and pilots in ship handling is obviously to use
real ship. Any use of simulators should be in addition to "on job" training. However, learning "on job
" by watching seasoned practitioner is slow process and certain handling situations including critical
ones may never occur and no experience how to deal with such situations could be gained this way.
Such a type of training by many people is considered as very dangerous and thus limited in use.
Electronic bridge simulators are controlled by mathematical equations describing in more or
less approximate way ship's behaviour in different manoeuvring situations. There are a lot of
situations, which cannot be properly numerically simulated because of too complex hydrodynamic
phenomena affecting ship manoeuvrability, however bridge simulators are excellent tool to practice
bridge work.
Manned models although they are small, are ships by the very nature and physical laws
govern their behaviour when manoeuvring. In other words manned models represent realistically all
hydrodynamic phenomena. Also all internal controlling factors important from the point of view of
ship handling such as time for reversing engine, time for deflecting rudder, transversal thrusters
characteristics, etc., are simulated properly and are controlled by computers installed onboard of
training models.
From the above it follows that manned models may much better than electronic simulators
reproduce:

1. Realism of emergency situations. Training on manned models assures the psychological

aspect of training when comparing with electronic simulator by better feeling of effects of
groundings, rammings and collisions, also environmental effects such as wind and current are much
better visible from the wheelhouse of training models.
2. Close proximity realism. There is complete realism when two models are meeting or
overtaking in close proximity, when the models is in the final stage of berthing or when negotiating a
very narrow passages. All physical phenomena in those situations are reproduced properly, and the
hull is reacting naturally what can not be done even in the best electronic simulators controlled by
mathematical equations.
3. Anchoring and other special manoeuvres. Manned model are specifically advantageous in
performing some traditional manoeuvres of this type such as use of dredging anchor, anchoring in
current, wind and in difficult situations. Such manoeuvres are not realistic in electronic simulators
because of modelling difficulties.
4. Manoeuvres in current and tide. As the Training Centre is equipped with current
generators and restricted water areas simulating river estuaries manned models are particularly
suitable to exercise manoeuvres in such areas. Current generated which is non - uniform, vortical
and pulsating provides very realistic environment allowing to learn quickly influence of changing
hydrodynamic forces on the hull, influence of momentum when manoeuvring, etc.
5. Understanding physical phenomena. When performing specific manoeuvring exercise
something goes wrong the trainee can immediately see that the result is wrong and understand why
it is so. Further explanations by staff may help to understand the physical phenomena and to
perform the exercise correctly next time.
Electronic simulators can not meet all training needs. Manned models are particularly
suitable to meet certain range of training requirements creating excellent transition stage between
training on electronic simulators and training onboard real ships. They are not considered as
alternative to electronic bridge simulators, but as supplementary method of training which is geared
to meet different requirements.

ABOUT TRAINING PROGRAMMES

All training areas as a rule do not repeat actual situations in various geographical areas, but
are combinations of different difficult situations, which could be met by the trainee. The scope of
lectures and practical exercises programme is flexible There is a possibility to adjust the programme
of exercises and to arrange any special situation by constructing special mock-ups of floating
structures, bridges, locks etc., or mark particular harbour entrances according to requirements.

PROGRAMMES PROPOSED

Each year new items have been included into the course programme, so that the actual
programme differs much from the training realised some years ago. The new training areas together
with introduction of the new models of modern ships and with the modernised and new equipment
of other training models give now the possibility of realisation of the two stage training programme
comprising standard and advanced course. There is also a possibility to introducing of specialised
courses focused on chosen problems of manoeuvrability or including training on specific types of
ships.
This was expected by several customers, for which we offered until today only basic manned
model course on ship handling (organised according to STCW 1995 Code and to A.960 Resolution).
New proposed training courses are introduced in order to keep pace with the development of
technology of shipping and shipbuilding, introduction of new ship types having different
manoeuvring characteristics, and fitted with new propulsion and control devices.

Actually (2017) the below listed manned model courses are available at Ilawa Training
Centre. Programmes of all courses may be extended - if possible - with manoeuvres
resulting from individual needs of trainees.
 handling of large ships and ships with unusual manoeuvring
characteristics (basic level) – duration 5 days; 2 versions: for masters and
for pilots;
 handling of large ships and ships with unusual manoeuvring
characteristics (advanced level) – duration 5 days;2 versions: for masters
and for pilots;
 handling of very large and ultra large container vessels -
duration 4 days;
 handling of LCCs and VLCCs – duration 3 days;
 handling of large container and ro-ro vessels – duration 3
days;
 handling of large LNG carriers - duration 3 days;
 tug-ship cooperation – duration 3 days;
 offshore ship handling – duration 3 days;
 handling of twin screw ships – duration 3 days;
 emergency ship handling – duration 3 days;
  handling of ships equipped with azipods – duration 3 days;
 handling of large PCCs - duration 3 days;
 handling ships equipped with high lift rudders - duration 3
days.

WHY TRAINING IN SHIP HANDLING?

The safe handling of ships depends on many factors - on

ship's manoeuvring characteristics, human factor (operator
experience and skill, his behaviour in stressed situation, etc.),
actual environmental conditions, and degree of water area
restriction.
Results of analysis of CRG (collisions, rammings and
groundings) casualties show that in one third of all the human
error is involved, and the same amount of CRG casualties is
attributed to the poor controllability of ships. Training on ship
handling is largely recommended by IMO as one of the most
effective method for improving the safety at sea. The goal of the
above training is to gain theoretical and practical knowledge on
ship handling in a wide number of different situations met in
practice at sea.

WHY MANNED MODELS?

Besides "on job" training there are basically two methods

of training mariners in ship handling: training using real time
bridge simulators, and training using physical simulators where
large self propelled manned models are employed.
The most effective way to train ship masters and pilots in
ship handling is obviously to use real ship. Any use of simulators
should be in addition to "on job" training. However, learning "on
job " by watching seasoned practitioner is slow process and
certain handling situations including critical ones may never
occur and no experience how to deal with such situations could
be gained this way. Such a type of training by many people is
considered as very dangerous and thus limited in use.
Electronic bridge simulators are controlled by
mathematical equations describing in more or less approximate
way ship's behaviour in different manoeuvring situations. There
are a lot of situations, which cannot be properly numerically
simulated because of too complex hydrodynamic phenomena
affecting ship manoeuvrability, however bridge simulators are
excellent tool to practice bridge work.
Manned models although they are small, are ships by the
very nature and physical laws govern their behaviour when
manoeuvring. In other words manned models represent
realistically all hydrodynamic phenomena. Also all internal
controlling factors important from the point of view of ship
handling such as time for reversing engine, time for deflecting
rudder, transversal thrusters characteristics, etc., are simulated
properly and are controlled by computers installed onboard of
training models.
From the above it follows that manned models may much
better than electronic simulators reproduce:

1. Realism of emergency situations. Training on manned

models assures the psychological aspect of training when
comparing with electronic simulator by better feeling of effects of
groundings, rammings and collisions, also environmental effects
such as wind and current are much better visible from the
wheelhouse of training models.
2. Close proximity realism. There is complete realism
when two models are meeting or overtaking in close proximity,
when the models is in the final stage of berthing or when
negotiating a very narrow passages. All physical phenomena in
those situations are reproduced properly, and the hull is reacting
naturally what can not be done even in the best electronic
simulators controlled by mathematical equations.
3. Anchoring and other special manoeuvres. Manned
model are specifically advantageous in performing some
traditional manoeuvres of this type such as use of dredging
anchor, anchoring in current, wind and in difficult situations.
Such manoeuvres are not realistic in electronic simulators
because of modelling difficulties.
4. Manoeuvres in current and tide. As the Training Centre
is equipped with current generators and restricted water areas
simulating river estuaries manned models are particularly
suitable to exercise manoeuvres in such areas. Current
generated which is non - uniform, vortical and pulsating provides
very realistic environment allowing to learn quickly influence of
changing hydrodynamic forces on the hull, influence of
momentum when manoeuvring, etc.
5. Understanding physical phenomena. When performing
specific manoeuvring exercise something goes wrong the
trainee can immediately see that the result is wrong and
understand why it is so. Further explanations by staff may help
to understand the physical phenomena and to perform the
exercise correctly next time.
 Electronic simulators can not meet all training needs.
Manned models are particularly suitable to meet certain range of
training requirements creating excellent transition stage
between training on electronic simulators and training onboard
real ships. They are not considered as alternative to electronic
bridge simulators, but as supplementary method of training
which is geared to meet different requirements.

ABOUT TRAINING PROGRAMMES

All training areas as a rule do not repeat actual situations

in various geographical areas, but are combinations of different
difficult situations, which could be met by the trainee. The scope
of lectures and practical exercises programme is flexible There
is a possibility to adjust the programme of exercises and to
arrange any special situation by constructing special mock-ups
of floating structures, bridges, locks etc., or mark particular
harbour entrances according to requirements.

PROGRAMMES PROPOSED

Each year new items have been included into the course
programme, so that the actual programme differs much from the
training realised some years ago. The new training areas
together with introduction of the new models of modern ships
and with the modernised and new equipment of other training
models give now the possibility of realisation of the two stage
training programme comprising standard and advanced course.
There is also a possibility to introducing of specialised courses
focused on chosen problems of manoeuvrability or including
training on specific types of ships.
This was expected by several customers, for which we
offered until today only basic manned model course on ship
handling (organised according to STCW 1995 Code and to
A.960 Resolution). New proposed training courses are
introduced in order to keep pace with the development of
technology of shipping and shipbuilding, introduction of new ship
types having different manoeuvring characteristics, and fitted
with new propulsion and control devices.

Actually (2017) the below listed manned model courses are

available at Ilawa Training Centre. Programmes of all
courses may be extended - if possible - with manoeuvres
resulting from individual needs of trainees.
 handling of large ships and ships
with unusual manoeuvring characteristics
(basic level) – duration 5 days; 2 versions: for
masters and for pilots;
 handling of large ships and ships
with unusual manoeuvring characteristics
(advanced level) – duration 5 days;2
versions: for masters and for pilots;
 handling of very large and ultra
large container vessels - duration 4 days;
 handling of LCCs and VLCCs –
duration 3 days;
 handling of large container and
ro-ro vessels – duration 3 days;
 handling of large LNG carriers -
duration 3 days;
 tug-ship cooperation – duration 3
days;
 offshore ship handling – duration
3 days;
 handling of twin screw ships –
duration 3 days;
 emergency ship handling –
duration 3 days;
 handling of ships equipped with
azipods – duration 3 days;
 handling of large PCCs -
duration 3 days;
 handling ships equipped with
high lift rudders - duration 3 days.

For further information please contact:

The Foundation for Safety of Navigation
and Environment Protection

Head office:
36, Chrzanowskiego street
80-278 GDANSK, POLAND
tel./fax: +48 58 341 59 19

Ship Handling Centre:

14-200 ILAWA-KAMIONKA, POLAND
tel./fax: +48 89 648 74 90

e-mail: office@ilawashiphandling.com.pl
or office@portilawa.com