Bulgaria: Technical University Varna Opens New Simulation Training Center

The Technical University of Varna, Bulgaria officially opened its new state of the art simulation training center during a high profile opening ceremony at the university premises on October 3rd, 2012.

The opening of the simulation center consolidates TU Varna’s position as a leading maritime university on the Black Sea. The center incorporates multiple VSTEP NAUTIS and RescueSim simulators and will be used for both maritime and incident management education and training.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Technical University, the Dutch Vice Ambassador and officials of the municipal government of Varna. The ceremony was concluded with the official signing of the NAUTIS and RescueSim simulator acceptance forms by TU Varna Rector Professor Azarya Farhi, Head of simulation centre Professor M. Shterev and Pjotr Van Schothorst, Director of simulator developer VSTEP.

The new simulation center is one of the most advanced high-tech training and education hubs in the region. Simulation developer VSTEP was selected as simulator contractor for the center and has delivered two NAUTIS Bridge Simulators, including a 360° Full Mission Bridge Simulator delivered in line with DNV Class A specifications, as well as five Engine Room Simulators and a full classroom with desktop Navigation Simulators for maritime training. A VSTEP RescueSim simulator was also delivered for incident management training.

Mitko Aleksandrov, Vice Rector TU Varna: “We have done a thorough market evaluation and have selected the NAUTIS and RescueSim simulators for their high quality, ease of use, flexibility and cost-effectiveness. The user-friendly software tools provided by VSTEP will allow our students and teachers to not just become good sailors, but also ship designers, hydrodynamics engineers and hydrographers. We have built a strong relationship with simulator developer VSTEP and we look forward to continue this partnership in the future.”

Pjotr van Schothorst, Director VSTEP: “We are deeply honored to be the simulation partner at this prestigious technology center. The TU Varna Simulation Center will act as a leading maritime and incident management simulation hub in the region, and we are proud our NAUTIS & RescueSim simulator solutions are instrumental in attaining this goal for the TU Varna. The cooperation with the Varna staff has been excellent and we look forward to continue this strong relationship in the future.”

Both the Maritime and Incident Management Response simulators include innovative concepts not seen in the industry before. The NAUTIS simulators feature the IMO Type Approved Kelvin Hughes MantaDigital ECDIS and radar/ARPA systems, with the radar video delivered by the recently released NAUTIS Radar Interface Module. The NAUTIS bridge can also be turned into an azimuth tug simulator in less than an hour. The ship controls can be easily exchanged, allowing the TU Varna to training on a wide variety of ships and propulsion types. The RescueSim simulators allow incident response training of any thinkable incident, increasing preparedness and optimizing response strategy during actual calamities. All simulators will be used extensively for training and preparing of students and professionals in the region.

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VSTEP, October 8, 2012