In the most recent tour of technology companies by representatives of the Provincial Government, the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, as well as Mark Browne, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, visited Virtual Marine today to view the progress of its new Ice Management Simulator. The simulator is designed specifically to target the needs of the coast guard, and defence industry. Virtual Marine also demonstrated its lifeboat simulator, which is used in the offshore oil and gas industry globally for coxswain training.
The Ice Management Simulator addresses the growing demands under new Polar Code and provides a medium for operators to prepare for Arctic activities and challenging ice situations. The Lifeboat Simulator creates opportunities to train for evacuations in ice. Virtual Marine’s Ice Management Simulator includes high fidelity ice RADAR simulations, larger training areas and ice fields with a high number of pieces, bridge spotlights for night exercises, improved numerical models of vessel propulsion and ice interactions models, part task equipment trainers, updated features designed to practice lifeboat launches in ice, and automated tracking tools.
Virtual Marine develops and globally distributes marine simulators to support the offshore oil and gas, maritime training, and defence industries. Based in St. John’s, the company has 21 employees, and combines expertise in marine testing, human factors research and simulation-based training to provide realistic, effective and safe training tools for small craft and large vessels operators.
Virtual Marine is part of the Atlantic Oceans Supercluster, which represents aquaculture, defence, fisheries, marine renewable energy, ocean technology, oil and gas, shipbuilding and transportation, partnering with entrepreneurs, governments and post-secondary institutions. Through this successful proposal, local companies and academic institutions and their world class expertise are well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Newfoundland and Labrador will be well represented with almost 40 organizations as part of the Supercluster.
The Provincial Government is committed to supporting innovation and technology in the province. As part of The Way Forward vision, on February 23, government will join with the technology sector in hosting a Technology Summit that will include the release of an action plan to further support the industry.
Quotes
“This new innovative product builds on Virtual Marine’s extensive simulation capabilities, identifies the technology gaps in the industry, and further solidifies Newfoundland and Labrador as a hub for marine safety research. Led by the NL Innovation Council, we continue to foster innovation, and build upon the Business Innovation Agenda. Virtual Marine’s Ice Management Simulator accurately represents real-world scenarios, while developing the skills and knowledge of our seafaring workers.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“Our Ice Management Simulator creates a critical and unique experience for vessel operators to develop enhanced ice management and navigation skills in a realistic environment. With increased focus on Arctic operations, we are proud that Virtual Marine simulators will provide an opportunity for increased safety and preparedness.”
Randy Billard
Executive VP & Chief Technology Officer, Virtual Marine
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Learn more
Successful Proposal Highlights Newfoundland and Labrador’s Internationally-Recognized Innovative Capabilities – gov.nl.ca/releases/2018/exec/0215n04.aspx
Virtual Marine – virtualmarine.ca/
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Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Cassandra Abbott
Virtual Marine
709-738-6306
cassandra.abbott@virtualmarine.ca