Virgin Voyages Signs Up For Newly Opened MSA Solent Training Centre With Wärtsilä Simulators

The grand opening of the purpose-built MSA Solent maritime training centre, which features state-of-the-art simulators from the technology group Wärtsilä, took place on September 15. The centre is located in Portsmouth, England. It will deliver high standard and culturally attuned training to support the achievement of the highest possible levels of safety and operational efficiency. The simulators are designed by the global leaders in maritime simulator technology Transas, a Wärtsilä company.

The new facility is equipped with full mission Bridge and Engine Room simulators operating with the latest Transas software, and Wärtsilä Nacos Platinum navigation systems. It has a unique design and approach on the bridge wings, and innovative bridge design, as well as virtualisation of the engine room spaces.

“Our professional training solutions, coupled with NACOS Platinum systems, ensure the highest levels of proficiency and competence training for MSA Solent’s clients. The fact that the market’s major players, such a Virgin Voyages, are already signing up to use the facility is evidence of the high-quality training enabled by the Wärtsilä simulators. I believe this will make MSA Solent into the home of the worlds’ best commercial cruise crew training,” says Alex Ponomarev, Sales Expert for Wärtsilä Voyage Simulation and Training.

Image Credits: wartsila.com

“The bespoke training that this centre offers will undoubtedly enhance the safety and efficient operation of today’s highly sophisticated vessels. The Wärtsilä simulators are central to this training since they bring a level of reality into the training that was not possible earlier,” says Matthew Jaenicke, Group Managing director of the Viking Maritime Group, the parent company of the MSA Solent centre.

The centre implements a contemporary ‘simulator as a service’ concept, making the simulators available for hire and offering tailored courses for officer-level crews. In particular, the training is geared towards cruise ship operations. The first company to benefit from the training offered is Virgin Voyages, and the opening ceremony was attended by Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group.

MSA Solent has signed a long/term maintenance and software support agreement with Wärtsilä.

Reference: wartsila.com

Source: Maritime Shipping News