Azipilot

"Intuitive operation and pilot training when using marine azimuthing control devices" -AZIPILOT

 

 

 

Funding Year:              2007

Project Duration:         36 months

Total Project Value:     €1.5m

Grant-Aid to Ireland:    €88,558

Lead Partner:               Dr Michael Woodward, Newcastle University

Irish Partner(s):    

• Transas Group

Website:                    www.transas.com (Opens in new window)

Project Summary

From the thrusters on smaller, but numerous, harbour support vessels through to the pod-drives on cruise ships and ocean going liners, azimuthing control has rapidly established itself in the maritime industry. While the industry has risen to meet the demand, this rapid evolution has not allowed sufficient time for the propagation of knowledge throughout the different disciplines. Though the various sectors of the industry each have their own expertise, a lack of communication is both restricting progress and compromising safety – in addition, much work is being repeated unnecessarily.

The project brings together the industry sectors responsible for design and testing, simulation and training, the pilots that operate these ships and the authorities that regulate them. The project aim is to promote a wider understanding across the industry, leading to harmonisation of practice and providing recommendations for both police making and the pilot training process and practice; specifically for ships that use azimuthing manoeuvring devices. The project provides a forum for cross-disciplinary discussion between the key industry sectors; specifically:

• The specialist in HYDRODYNAMIC MODELLING and testing, both theoretical and experimental, and expert in the understanding of azimuthing control devices.
• The designers and manufacturers of MARINE SIMULATION software, hardware and physical models that are used for the training of marine pilots. Including, the designers, human factors specialists and manufactures of automation and control systems, joystick systems and graphical user interfaces.
• The MARITIME TRAINING facilities using both numerical and physical simulation tools and specialist in the theory and practice of human factors (physical and behavioural components) and specialist in the training of bridge-crews and pilots.
• Practitioners in OPERATIONAL PRACTICE including maritime pilots, ship operators/managers, pilot association and end-users. And including, Maritime Authorities and Regulators specifically interested in policy and regulation.

 

 Download further information on the FP7 AZIPILOT project (pdf28k).

Pdf directories of Irish participation in EU FP7 funded competitive marine research projects during the period 2007-2009 are also available to download from the EU Framework Research Programmes page on the Publications Section of the Marine Institute website.