Boat Simulator

Post by **West Lake Willows** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:28 pm

I just got back from my SVOP course. This is a Small Vessel Operator Proficiency course that was mandated by Transport Canada for Guides as of Nov 2009. Anyway, it was at Georgian College in Owen Sound.

The highlight of the course for me was being able to use their $9 million simulator. The have 5 bridges of different vessels. The big one is a complete replica of the 365' chi-chemaun ferry it is a room probably 40' in diameter that has 10' +/- floor to ceiling screens that can simulate just about anything. They can put you in just about any port from around the world, any weather condition, or just about any condition you can imagine. We got to drive this thing without really knowing what we were doing. Really cool to see how such a big vessel is operated and how it responds to weather conditions. Tons of fun. Here is some video I took using my blackberry as it was all I had. Not great quality, but gives you an idea of what the bridge and simulator looked like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhdVhd8ECW8

another from the Chi-Cheemaun but in the dark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-yRvTs5N_Y

This is from a 120' Laker.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmPwdjSUVVc

Scott

Post by **Hookup** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:35 pm

haha... ramming speed... well done.

Post by **Dan Smyth** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:37 am

Hey that is cool. My baby brother is the helmsman on that ferry.

Post by **West Lake Willows** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:21 am

Dan Smyth,

That is awesome. What a fun job. Although I guess its probably like everything the novelty wears off.

If I could relive my late teens and early twenties, I would get a job on one of the big yachts in the caribbean as a first mate. You can make good coin and live on a phenomenal boat all expenses paid.

Scott

Post by **Trophymuskie** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:25 am

Thank god I found out I didn't have to take that course before I spent all that time and money.

But that simulator is really interesting.

Post by **Dan Smyth** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:38 am

Ya the brother has been there for over 20 years and has told me some pretty far out stories about some of the happenings with crew and passengers.
He wanted to join the Navy as i did but couldn't stand to leave home or girlfriend(now wife) so Georgian Bay is as close to the ocean as he could get.

Post by **Geos** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:02 am

My dad used to take the chi-chemaun ferry when i was a lot younger and I remember this one trip, where they where handing barf bags out to everyone before they got on the boat. Waves where hitting the bridge and upon opening the door to the bathroom, all you could see was spew washing back and forth over the floor.

I was the worst but most memorable ride on the chi-chemaun.