Mermarine launches engine room stimulator

CEO Thomas Kriwat and Ministry of Ports and Shipping Secretary L. P. Jayampathy opens the new Marine Room Simulator

From left Captain Rohan Kodippilly, Captain Keith Jayasuriya, CE. J. R. Aliraja and CE. Mahinda Bandara

By Shehana Dain

Mercmarine Training, a player in the duopoly market of maritime training institutes, last week launched the latest version of the ‘Transas’ model 5000 TechSim engine room stimulator.

Ministry of Ports and Shipping Secretary L.P Jayampathy speaking at the launch emphasised on the job opportunities that have been created as a result of economic growth in the ports industry.

“Currently there are ample employment opportunities in the ports industry. In this context the engine stimulator will greatly assist this cause as it will improve the skill set of trainees and deliver competent staff to perform well in the global arena,” Jayampathy explained.

Currently stimulator training plays a vital role in the training systems in the world in both aircraft and naval industries, to Minimise accidents and human errors in marine industry. Training of this calibre will greatly influence the students who are to become future engine engineers to react to emergencies instantaneously.

Mercmarine CEO Thomas Kriwat highlighted how the global recession in 2008 has left its mark in the global shipping industry. He said: “The prevailing economic condition in the shipping industry has not been great since the 2008 recession but as result the industry strives to become more efficient, better and more modern. Now we are talking a lot about fuel saving, green ships, reduction of emissions and these come from the main engine and for this we need engineers in order to improve the economy of the vessel. These training programs are vital in order to produce efficient engineer staff.”

The main objective of the program and the simulator is to replicate the operations of an engine room so that students will be able to receive the necessary on the job training without any damage to equipment and the environment. It is designed to train and assess the competence of engine department personnel, including officers in charge of an engineering watch, fourth engineer, third engineer, second and chief (operational level and management level). 

The simulator provides an exact, detailed copy of vessel systems and simulates machinery and the engine room compartments. The ERS 5000 TechSim has been specifically developed for engineering staff and provides a hands-on experience in watch-keeping, troubleshooting and resource management.

Mercmarine Training Group COO Keith Jayasuriya giving his insight on the training program said: “Sea training is essential as part of the program and to this end we have tied up with various entities to ensure that students who enrol with us can get proper on the job training.” 

“At Mercmarine we elect and train students based on the number of ships we have available. We strive to ensure that each student obtains a ship to train at within six months the latest. The first preference is given based on merit. Further we project ourselves as a training institute that focuses on preparing students to face the exams and certificated administered and issued by the Ministry,” he added.

         Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe