State-of-the-art fishing vessel navigation simulator launched in… – Donegal Daily
The official launch of new suites of high-tech simulators took place on Saturday at the National Fisheries College of BIM in Greencastle.
The simulator will allow student skippers to steer and dock a vessel and navigate it in adverse weather conditions.
The simulator and radio suites – recently installed at both Donegal College and its sister college at Castletownbere – are designed to mimic actual sailing conditions for steering, training and ship control practice, as well as for routine training and distress alerting.
High winds, rain, waves and even snow conditions have simulated the equipment currently used by a cohort of students the minister met and will enable future Irish fishing captains to hone the skills needed to practice in safely navigate vessels, in a range of compromised conditions, including major storms.
The ultra-modern suites now in place in the two colleges represent a government investment of €465,000.
Minister McConalogue said he was very impressed by the accuracy with which the simulators were able to reproduce the real conditions that one can face at sea: “Every time our fishermen go to sea, they are potentially confronted with adverse conditions, which they must be prepared to ensure the safe return of all persons on board.
“It is in this spirit that I have approved this additional investment in the new BIM Training College simulator. With this new facility and training, we are ensuring that our students have access to the highest standards in piloting fishing vessels.
“The BIM colleges here in Greencastle and Castletownbere are vital cogs in the wider seafood and marine industry.”
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Managing Director Jim O’Toole said, “This investment is welcome and upgrading our equipment to world-class standards enables BIM to provide training for new entrants and those who are already in the sector at the highest level. This will also allow us to develop future navigation simulation courses as legislation evolves.
Funding for the Sea Survival Training Unit is part of a wider capital program which involves an overall investment of £1.7 million in Greencastle Training College, recently approved by Minister McConalogue, including a 12 meter sea survival training pool in Greencastle.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Navy, Charlie McConalogue TD
visited the National Fisheries College of BIM in Greencastle today, to officially launch new suites of high-tech simulators that will allow student skippers to pilot and dock a vessel and navigate it in adverse weather conditions. Pictured with Garvan Meehan, principal and lead swimming instructors, John Kelly and John O’Mahony. Photo Clive Wasson
The project, when delivered, will create a cost effective maritime center of excellence which will provide a modern sea survival training unit for students and instructors, on site at the National Fisheries College, Greencastle, supporting a fishing industry in sea safe and professional.
The new facility will significantly complement the extensive training infrastructure already in place at Donegal College, including a firefighting unit, fully integrated fishing vessel simulator, land trawler deck, engine room, workshop and seven classrooms.
New legislative changes mean that fishers on vessels under 15 meters are now required to complete this safety training at least every five years, and this is now being implemented.
BIM offers these training courses through its colleges and coastal training units.
Launch of a state-of-the-art fishing vessel navigation simulator in Greencastle was last modified: June 18, 2022 by