HR Wallingford is a world leader in simulating vessel navigation. The three real-time simulators in our Ship Simulation Centre have been used in over 300 projects world-wide, and have proved to be reliable, flexible and cost-effective design and evaluation tools. We combine our extensive hydraulic modelling capabilities with ship manoeuvring models and our experienced, expert team of master mariners, trained pilots, naval architects and software modelling experts – all focused through our suite of real-time ship simulators.
State of the art ship simulation
HR Wallingford operates three real-time simulators, which include a dedicated tug bridge simulator, which can all be run simultaneously, allowing independent, interactive control between vessels within the same simulated environment. The Ship Simulation Centre operates on four principals:
- expert consultancy – simulation studies are designed, planned and executed as part of a expert service that ensures the key issues and problems are solved to the maximum benefit of our client.
- accuracy – the simulators use reliable, accurate, state of the art software to simulate the behaviour of ships at sea and in port/ terminal areas.
- reality – high definition visual scene and representative bridge facilities provide an realistic environment for pilots and tug-masters
- support facilities – “off-bridge” facilities include observation, briefing and debriefing rooms, interactive display boards, visual scene, work stations and conference facilities to ensure that all participants are fully informed and involved at all stages of the simulation.
The simulation system uses sophisticated techniques to represent the spatial and temporal behaviour of a ship. Hydrodynamic modelling includes full six degree-of-freedom ship response to waves, wind and currents, allowing for both lift and drag effects and close quarter effects such as shallow water, bank effects, bow and stern thrusters, ship interaction and collisions.
