Sailing the Virtual Seas at TAMU-Galveston

A nice article came out this week from Rhiannon Meyers over at the Galveston County Daily News about the ship simulator at Texas A&M – Galveston. Students in the Texas Maritime Academy at TAMU-Galveston must put in 40 hours on the simulator before taking control of real ships.

The academy, opened in 1962, is the only one of its kind in Texas, and one of six in the United States. Between history, English, math and science courses, cadets take simulated cruises to international ports.

Nestled inside building 2002 on A&M’s campus, the simulator, with its 225-degree view on seven 15-foot screens, offers a peek into the bridge of a ship. There’s a wheel, radar, radio, a panoramic view into a virtual reality seascape and the sound of waves slapping the side of a craft.

The imitation of the ship’s motion is so realistic that some get seasick, said Karen Bigley, director of media relations and communications.

The simulator can be programmed to run as a 60 foot cruiser on up to a gargantuan 900 foot supertanker. Students can practice bringing in the ship to major ports around the world. When port conditions change, the software can be quickly updated to reflect the real world changes, so when students actually sail after graduating it should look pretty close to their practice runs.

Also, weather and rough sea conditions can be simulated, making the tasks much more daunting and giving valuable experience. A cadet Meyers watched practicing bumped into another boat and plowed over a man overboard. “Capt. Robert Thrailkill shrugged. Better to clip another ship and injure a drowning man in a college classroom than on the open seas, he said.”

The Full Mission Bridge simulator originally cost half a million dollars. It provides a crucial tool in training maritime personnel.

References:
Meyers, R. (2007, November 14). Students brave the simulated seas. Galveston County Daily News. [Online]. Available: http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?
ewcd=9751907adb742ca7

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categories Media, Serious Games, Sims, Simulations, Virtual Reality | John Rice | datetime November 17, 2007 9:58 am

No Comments

  • By Bahama Cruises, December 26, 2009 @ 11:33 pm

    Very nice blog, added to my bookmarks,

Other Links to this Post

  1. Mathematics Education Blog » Blog Archive » Sailing the Virtual Seas at TAMU-Galveston — November 17, 2007 @ 10:11 am

  2. Bahama Cruise Blog » Sailing the Virtual Seas at TAMU-Galveston — November 17, 2007 @ 10:28 am

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