Communication and Computing System
Contents
Department Contents and Capabilities
The Simulated Communication Equipment
The new two GMDSS simulators are TGS 5000 Ver. 8.5 manufacture by Transas (Currently Wärtsilä). They integrated and connected to each other through Local Area Network (LAN). They designed for the training and examination of the target trainees in place of actual equipment. The simulated equipment accurately replicates the GMDSS''s functions that meet the requirements of the IMO’s International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for seafarers (STCW-78) as amended and the IMO model courses. Each simulator station could work in stand-alone mode for self-study and/or in network mode for individual and joint training of fleet operators with expert assessment of their competency in accordance the convention''s requirements.
The Training Facility Main Components and Models:
The Instructor Station
The instructor can create, run, store, re-use and control scenarios. Able to fail and restore equipment and functions at any station, enter different interferences on ed frequencies, design and run exams, and print students and instructor works. The instructor can operate in telephone, telex and DSC modes. Performing functions of a coast telex or phone subscriber, coast radio station and RCC operator. He can edit any land station data or configuration. In addition to monitor any trainee’s screens, communication protocol and could interact to him. In addition, he can add or any modification set by the IMO, assign any trainee in network, single-user, to self-study, or exam mode with the desired type of equipment.
The Student Stations
The student station could configure as ship/coast station that simulates all the GMDSS equipment of different types as required for the training. He has the ability to set his own-ship course and speed reacting to a simulated distress/routine situation from a station or on-scene commander.
The Mimic Station (TGS 6000 Console)
It is a SAILOR station, has real controls panels for VHF & DSC (6222) and MF/HF & DSC (6301). It interacts as simulated ship/coast station with the simulator stations that simulate SAILOR 6000.The SAILOR 6103 Multi Alarm Panel
The Simulated GMDSS Radio Equipment and Capabilities
Each TGS 5000 trainee station has wide-ranging of capabilities and simulates the functions of the full set of SAILOR 6000 GMDSS radio equipment and another four different types, manufactured by S.P. Radio/Thrane & Thrane: SAILOR 5000, SAILOR System 4000 and SAILOR Compact 2000. In addition, the VHF & DSC FURUNO FM-8800S is included.Example of the simulated radio equipment/capability are as follows:
- Jotron AIS SART.
- Glonass and GPS receivers.
- SAILOR 6391 Navtex receiver.
- SAILOR 3771 Alarm Panel for FBB.
- 406-MHZ EPIRB and 9-GHZ SART.
- The portable GMDSS VHF transceiver and Aero VHF.
- Battery panels and feeder switchboard.
- SAILOR 6282 AIS Class A Transponder, and Direction Finder.
- Capability to record and playback RT communication.
- Capability to perform satellite communication between vessels earth station, and with land earth stations through Inmarsat terminals: C with EGC, B, Fleet77 and FBB.
- Capability to communicate on MF/HF/VHF in DSC, RT (SSB) and Radio telex (NBDP) modes between vessels stations, and with coast stations.
- Capability to receive MSI via Safety NET, NAVTEX and HF NBDP services.
- Capability to limit the radio wave propagation using radio ether model, which considers the frequency range, time of the day and distance between the stations.
- Capability to view electronic chart displays coast station DBs, GMDSS sea areas, SAR areas, and rough estimate the radio waves propagation in the ed frequency band.
- Capability to conduct SAR operations using the built-in vessel born radar capability for detecting SART’s blips, prompt change of the vessel’s course and speed responding to this distress situation.
- Capability to change from stand alone, to self-study in demo, to test modes.
- Capability to any GMDSS related electronic IMO and ITU-R publications of the built-in bookshelf allowing the trainee to familiarize his/herself with the contents.
- Capability to the built-in help option that compromises full explanation of functions and operation procedures
These capabilities enrich and enable training efficiently which cannot conducted on board vessel using its real GMDSS equipment. This training could conducted on simulators and by using different scenarios and configurations that could be stored, re-used, discussed, and debriefed in the classroom.
The GMDSS Simulators support the following models for realistic training
- VHF line-of-sight communications.
- VHF and SSB wattage limitations.
- MF ground wave propagation.
- HF sky wave propagation and skip zone.
- MF and HF antenna tuning.
- Satellite channel availability.
- Satellite store and forward.
- Satellite lock and antenna stabilization.
- Forward Error Correction (FEC).
- Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ).
- DSC, EGC and NBDP protocols and formats.
Briefing and Debriefing Facility
It is highly equipped classroom for discussion, feedback, and debriefing of any scenario/situation. It consists of a single beam projector for analog and digital data projection. It also includes electronic whiteboard that enables storing, printing or overlaying any snapshots of draw/text from the board to the computer then to the Internet or any network. A multimedia computing system connected to laser printer, color printer, and data scanner.Real GMDSS Equipment
Three full sets of real GMDSS equipment of the SAILOR brand installed in the AASTMT in different places. Each consists of integrated main console and complete sub-systems set. They exactly installed and connected in the same way and numbers as mandatory required on board vessel, as an essential part of the GMDSS training facility for practicality.