Advanced River Navigation Simulator Unveiled at Kolkata Port for Maritime Pilots
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Synopsis
On March 20, a sophisticated navigational simulator was launched at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, enhancing training for maritime professionals. This groundbreaking facility will improve decision-making skills and support research in port operations, solidifying SMPK’s role as a leader in maritime safety and training.
Key Takeaways
- Inauguration of a state-of-the-art navigational simulator.
- Simulator enhances training for river pilots and maritime professionals.
- Reduces training duration for new pilots significantly.
- Supports research in port operations and vessel movement optimization.
- Positioning SMPK as a leader in maritime navigation safety.
Kolkata, March 20 (NationPress) A cutting-edge navigational simulator was inaugurated at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), on Thursday by chairman Rathendra Raman.
This simulator is designed to deliver realistic, high-fidelity training for pilots, masters, and other maritime professionals, allowing them to operate vessels under a variety of challenging conditions without needing to board them.
Professor Murali K of IIT, Madras, was in attendance at the ceremony. SMPK, previously known as Kolkata Port Trust, is the only major river port in India and also the oldest operational port in the country. The distance from the ocean to the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) is 125 km, while to the Kolkata Dock System (KDS), it is 232 km. The river channel is complex, featuring bends, bars, and bores. A dedicated team of River Pilots boards cargo vessels at Sagar Anchorage to navigate them to either HDC or KDS, according to an SMPK spokesperson.
SMPK asserts that this simulator is a unique installation for river pilotage in India. The system will significantly shorten the training duration for newly inducted trainee pilots while enhancing their decision-making capabilities and their understanding of SMPK's specific navigational challenges, tidal conditions, and congested channels.
Moreover, it will aid in research and development concerning port operations and optimizing vessel movements.
This facility is expected to establish SMPK as a leader in maritime training and navigation safety within the region. It marks a significant step toward ensuring safer and more efficient maritime operations. Navigating the river at night poses unique challenges, and this simulator will effectively bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, allowing our pilots to train intensively and confidently manage complex river navigation scenarios.
The ‘Simulator for River Navigation’ was installed at a cost of Rs 60 lakh by Applied Research International (ARI), with guidance from IIT, Madras.
SMPK officials contributed essential hydrographical data to create a realistic training environment.
The navigation channel at SMPK is among the longest in the world. Ensuring stable channels for navigation and optimizing maintenance dredging are two critical tasks that have drawn ongoing attention. SMPK has been dedicated to addressing these challenges through continuous scientific monitoring of the estuary and persistent R&D efforts in collaboration with various Indian and international experts, the spokesperson remarked.
