The Norwegian Sea Rescue Society (NSRS) has agreed a deal with Kongsberg Digital for the delivery of a new K-Sim Safety Advanced Fire Fighting Simulator (AFFS) for installation at its Horten-based training centre in Norway.
The full-mission K-Sim Safety AFFS is designed in accordance with the requirements of STCW Advanced Firefighting courses, covering methods of organising and training fire teams, inspecting and servicing fire detection and extinguishing systems and equipment, and controlling onboard firefighting operations.
The simulation follows the layout of a real crude oil carrier, with an interactive 3D ‘WalkThrough’ software engine combining object and equipment models with immersive visuals, exposing trainees to various scenarios and situations related to onboard fires.
The system includes an instructor station, a debrief area, a bridge/safety command centre, two fire team muster stations and two smoke diver areas. Up to three separate teams – usually, a management team and two firefighting teams – can be trained at the same time.
In exercises designed to replicate onboard emergencies, the management team (typically consisting of the captain, chief engineer and chief officer) will be expected to assemble at the bridge/safety command centre to manage firefighting operations by communicating with the other internal teams and conducting external communications via radio.
The management team can oversee how the fire teams are handling the emergency situation via an Integrated Automation System (IAS) and safety panels, while recording, replaying and debriefing tools will allow teams to evaluate how effective their decision-making and consequent plan of action has been in each exercise.
“Where hands-on, onboard fire control and safety training would up to present have been costly, time-consuming and potentially hazardous, Kongsberg’s K-Sim Safety simulators have ushered in a new era whereby trainee officers can attain mandatory advanced firefighting competence and confidence in conditions of total safety,” said Martin Fuhr Bolstad, Managing Director at the NSRS training centre.
