NEW EQUIPMENT FOR SIMS: AN ADDITIONAL INNOVATION IN TRAINING 

In addition to the existing unique infra-structure, Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS) has now acquired another special training equipment- a complete Burner Control Simulation unit from MIURA CO.LTD.,Japan,a world leader in boiler technology. 

This is probably the first of its kind in any post-sea training institute in Asia - if not in the world!

The Burner Control Simulation Unit which includes a MIURA CB-6P Burner Assembly, Burner Nozzle, Feed Water Control Simulation Tank & Unit and Control Simulation Panel has arrived at our SIMS Training Institute in Mumbai from the manufacturer in Japan and its commissioning is in progress by our in-house engineers and faculty members. 

The equipment is expected to be fully operational for training by the first week of July. 
This novel idea is to train our seagoing engine staff in familiarization & trouble shooting of the various aspects in Boiler Control & Instrumentation in a real life equipment.

THE BURNER CONTROL SIMULATION UNIT

Our Faculty Member Vaishakh Chavan (Monti) had undergone extensive training at Miura's Matsuyama Workshop in Japan and is all ready to impart his knowledge to our engineers.

NEAR MISS IN PORT APPROACHES
A.- medium size tanker in ballast, at anchor.
B.-Car carrier, disembarks pilot at 0530.
C.- Coaster, no pilot, looking for anchorage.
D.- medium size tanker in ballast, disembarks pilot at 0535.
E.- Large car carrier, pilot disembarks 0537, not monitoring VHF Ch.16 or VTS Channel. Set course parallel to and on starboard quarter of D.
F.- Large loaded ore carrier, restricted entry time due to draught, pilot on board, not making way, waiting for D and E to clear.

Events:-
D clears port and steams away.
B heads for gap between D and F.
F loses sight of C as visibility decreases.
C heads to pass astern of F.
C talks to B on VTS working channel. Radar echo of B is probably obscured aboard C by F, and C assumes that E is B. The only vessel not communicating on VHF is E. A close encounter occurs between B and C. Both go hard-a-port, and narrowly avoid a collision. F swings slowly to starboard away from shallow water to seek anchorage. E gradually increases speed and suddenly alters course 70 degrees to port. F eventually finds E on VHF Channel 9, E assures F that everything is all right and proceeds to pass 2.5 cables ahead of F at 14 knots in 3 cables visibility.
Lessons Learnt:-
1. Need for extra caution at port approaches due to traffic congestion. In addition in restricted visibility, require full compliance with COLREGS  5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 19 and 35.  Luck is liable to run out, if navigation is left to chance and bad planning.

2. Need for discipline, the lack of which is displayed by 'E'.

3. Mishaps often occur due to assumptions based on VHF conversations.

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