The Royal Bahamas Defence Force officially dedicated the Ship’s Bridge Simulator during a brief ceremony at HMBS CORAL HARBOUR on Thursday September 24, 2020.
Built as a part of the 232 million-dollar Sandy Bottom Project that was signed in 2014, this latest state of the art equipment will enhance the force’s seagoing operations and allows for the ship’s Officers and bridge watchkeepers to practice and demonstrate competence in a controlled environment. The system is designed to assist the training of the Officers and Marines as they maneuver and dock in both confined waters and extreme weather conditions and also visually identify lights and navigational marks which are consistent with the rules of the road.
In attendance were the Minister of National Security, the Honorable Marvin Dames; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Marco Rolle; and Commander Defence Force, Commodore Raymond King.
Commander William Sturrup, the RBDF’s Search and Rescue Coordinator, who also serves as Sea Training Officer, said that: “This equipment also allows for shore Officers to be qualified and competent before being assigned to various platforms within the Defence Force. This provides a controlled environment for practice at the trainee’s own pace and time”.
Bringing keynote remarks was the Honorable Marvin Dames, who commended Commodore King and his Officers and Marines in the undertaking of this new venture, and welcome this new training.
“These scenarios include manoeruving properties in both deep and shallow waters, effects of currents including current gradients, bank suctions, stability, windforces, wind gusting, first order wave induced motions, second order wave drift forces, engine dynamics of main engine and rudder engine, line forces and dynamics and winch forces and dynamics”, said Minister Dames. “Persons are able to obtain training on mooring, anchoring, replenishment at sea, man over board, rules of the road and proper operation of ship BRIDGE equipment in those challenging scenarios”.
Minister Dames performed the official cutting of the ribbon, following which, a tour of the facility was conducted.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force continues to protect the territorial integrity of The Bahamas.
