Facilities at LJMU Maritime Centre
Our Maritime Centre in Liverpool is home to an array of cutting-edge training facilities. Take a closer look at our facilities below which include our ship-handling simulators.
Our facilities
About the bridge simulators
Our bridge simulators enable marine pilots, shipmasters and officers test their skills in a realistic setting. They can test those skills in a completely risk-free environment.
Our simulators are also used for research into navigational systems and its impact on watchkeepers.
The simulators recreate accurate virtual sea conditions across eight ship bridges. The main bridge’s 360° view allows crews to practise manoeuvres such as docking, tug operations and handling faults or breakdowns.
Ship-handling simulator suite
Supplied by Wartsila, the simulator suite features four full-mission bridges, with the main bridge offering a 360° field of view. Next to the bridges is a full-mission engine room simulator.
This can be used as a standalone simulator for marine engineering and watchkeeping training. The facility can also link the bridges with the engine room, allowing deck and engineering officers to train together.
Ship and Port Modelling
Our bridge simulators can be configured for any ship model in our catalogue. This includes new vessel types and sizes created in-house using ship-modelling software. Alongside a large database of existing ports, we can also develop new ports or adapt current ones to meet client needs.
The simulation software includes detailed, configurable overlays. These allows for accurately placed buoys, interactive tides, currents and variable wind, sea and swell.
Changing conditions such as light, visibility, fog and rain add to the sense of realism. Our in-house capability to model both ships and ports allows us to carry out studies on port infrastructure changes. This also includes designs of new ports from scratch.
Ship-handling hardware
The bridge panels and units can be repositioned or replaced for specific vessel types. This hardware creates a realistic platform for training, research and role-play in a completely safe setting.
The ship models used in the bridges can also track emissions, fuel use and other key parameters. This allows checks to be ran on efficiency and environmental performance during manoeuvres.
Secondary bridges
The three secondary bridges support single and multi-ship training scenarios. These allow several exercises to run at once and enhances the learning experience.
Each bridge is equipped with modern electronic navigational aids, including Radar, ECDIS, GPS, Loran and AIS. It also includes a fully functional Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Combined with the GMDSS communication system, these features make our bridges highly realistic and up to date.
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Emergency switchboard room
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360 bridge simulator
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Instructors room
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Ship and port modelling (Twelve Quays departure lines)
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Engine room
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Handling suite
About the engine room simulator
Our Wartsila engine room simulator is located in the James Parsons Building at Byrom Street. This facility can be used to train and assess the competence of engineer officers of all ranks.
It supports several models of main and auxiliary propulsion systems. Trainees can use it to gain experience with equipment, control systems, automation and safety.
It also provides training in emission control, watchkeeping, fuel management and resource management. These skills are highly beneficial during both normal and emergency operations.
Engine control room
This is the heart of the engine room simulation. Touch-screen controls are used to operate and manage both main and auxiliary machinery. Real controls are also included where needed to enhance realism.
Engine room
The engine room is recreated on 3D touch screens. This provides learners with the experience of virtually walking through the machinery spaces for a more immersive training environment.
Emergency switchboard room
Touchscreen panels, real switchboards combined with circuit breakers provide a realistic mimicry of the ship’s engine room.
Instructor station
Multiple computers allow the instructor to load different ship models, from superyachts to Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). The instructor controls exercises from this station and communicates with learners when the simulator is used separately from the bridge simulators.
Faults can be introduced to test learners’ ability to resolve problems. For senior engineer officers, these scenarios also highlight key aspects of engine room resource management.
Engine room simulator suite
Several PCs allow candidates to familiarise themselves with the engines and machinery they will work with. After this, they will use the full-mission engine room simulator. The room is also used for lectures and debriefing after simulation exercises.