Simulator-based training programs are gaining a lot of significance in the modern world. The main reason for this popularity is that it serves as a virtual environment for training the candidates at several training institutions. Such training programs are a great alternative to real-world alternatives. Engine room simulator course in India is one such training program based on simulators. Here’s an evaluation of this course in India.
Engine Room Simulation Course: An Overview
Engine Room Simulation course is a program that is built to impart watchkeeping skills and hone the abilities of marine engineers who aspire to excel in their career at the operational level. It has been designed on the basis of the IMO Model Course 2.07 and got approval from the D. G. Shipping Government of India. It also complies with the STCW 2010 Code requirements.
Engine room systems follow a systematic approach for starting and operation as per safety guidelines and procedures laid down by the authorized organizations. This course aims at training the candidates in these aspects.
Besides enhancing the watchkeeping knowledge and skills, this interactive course also helps in fostering interpersonal roles in a team and team behaviour. Marine engineers, who have completed this course, will gain the skills needed for operating, supervising and monitoring safe control and operation of the machinery installation of a ship.
During the initial days of this post-sea course, candidates get to attend theory lectures related to operational procedures. Following this, they get practical hands-on experience on the simulator. They are allowed to monitor the modifications in several parameters, something that is practically not possible to do when they are aboard the ship.
Engine Room Simulation Course Objectives
Candidates who complete the Engine Room Simulator course will:
- Get to understand how to use parameters and instruments in the engine room of contemporary merchant ships
- Gain awareness and better understanding of the right watchkeeping procedures
- Gain experience in finding operational issues and ways to troubleshoot them
- Get to realize the need to follow checklists properly and get to know the time durations in start-up processes
- Enhance their ability to make decisions with regards to efficient plant operations and safety
- Obtain knowledge regarding interdependency of several machinery
- Make a more effective and safer contribute to machinery installation operation of the vessel
- Get to know how to analyze the modifications in several parameters and take the required action for restoring normalcy
Engine Room Simulation Course Eligibility
Not all marine engineers are eligible to attend this course. Only those candidates who can sit for MEO Class IV examination and also have an INDOS number qualify for this course.
Engine Room Simulation Facility
Institutes that offer the Engine Room Simulator course generally have a facility with a full mission engine room simulator. The arrangement is such that it is similar to the panel of all the machineries in modern ships, including power generation, propulsion, cargo-related equipment, and prevention of pollution. The facility has a mock engine control room that has an automatic data logging capacity for monitoring the performance of trainee candidates.
The main components of an engine room simulator include the diesel propulsion plant & electric power plant of the ship, machinery sound imitation, auxiliary systems, alarms systems with visual and sound alarm unit, and 3-dimensional visualization for tanker LCC, ANZAC frigate, LNG, ASD tug, and OPV models. With candidates gaining exposure to these features in the simulation facility, they can gain more knowledge, skills and abilities in solving problems in real time.
Sub-Courses in Engine Room Simulation Course
There are several sub-courses under engine room simulation course that allow candidates to specialize in a specific category of engine room management. The generally available sub-courses include:
- Engine Resource Management: This sub-course brings the focus of candidates to aspects such as engine procedures and organization, voyage planning, and human resource management of the engine team.
- Electrotechnical Rating: This sub-course trains candidates and helps them gain the basic understanding and knowledge in theoretical as well as practical skills needed for electro-technical rating.
- Electrical Knowledge: This sub-course gives background knowledge in areas such as fault prevention and maintenance.
The engine room simulation course has been gaining a lot of popularity of late even though it has been around for quite some time. Several marine engineers are taking up this course to build their career and grow higher in their career ladder, thus playing a vital role in shaping their future. Candidates who enroll can pursue their engine room simulator course online or offline.
The best part of this course is that it has room to allow candidates to commit errors and learn things in the process. Once they learn things here and gain expertise, they can avoid errors when they work in real-time environments. This helps in improving the overall performance of marine engineers in their professions.
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