Ship handling research facility

A major new ship handling research capability will be embodied in the Maritime Research Simulator now being built by the Maritime Administration. Human engineering research related to ship handling will be possible to a degree not previously available. The relationships of operator action, ship dynamics, instrumentation, bridge crew duty assignments, and the outside world environment (including harbor configuration, visibility, other ship traffic, wind, tides, and current) can be evaluated. Simulation permits experimentation under controlled operating conditions, including: simulated hazardous conditions, convenient scheduling, and quality controlled data collection. Simulation also permits conducting experiments in conditions which would not be feasible in the real world. For example, ships not yet built may be "operated", ship channels may be rerouted, aids to navigation may be repositioned, unconventional traffic rules may be placed in effect, high speed ships may be mixed with slower traffic, relocation of piers, docks, or shore terminals may be speedily arranged. In all these circumstances, the relationship of bridge and supporting accommodations to operator capabilities and limitations may be evaluated. Larger, less maneuverable ships, increased ship traffic density in and around major seaports, and long cruise durations are all thought to be factors in the high incidence of marine accidents. Ship handling accidents, i.e., strandings, groundings, and collisions, are the most frequent types of accidents and are a prime object of research to be conducted in the Maritime Research Simulator. In addition to problems in safety and reliability of cargo delivery, the simulator can be used in solving other maritime problems such as those related to harbor design, ship handling efficiency, new or proposed shipboard equipment, regulatory matters, and vessel traffic systems.