An Adaptive Island Model of Population for Neuroevolutionary Ship Handling

This study presents a method for the dynamic value assignment of evolutionary parameters to accelerate, automate and generalise the neuroevolutionary method of ship handling for different navigational tasks and in different environmental conditions. The island model of population is used in the modified neuroevolutionary method to achieve this goal. Three different navigational situations are considered in the simulation, namely, passing through restricted waters, crossing with another vessel and overtaking in the open sea. The results of the simulation examples show that the island model performs better than a single non-divided population and may accelerate some complex and dynamic navigational tasks. This adaptive island-based neuroevolutionary system used for the COLREG manoeuvres and for the finding safe ship’s route to a given destination in restricted waters increases the accuracy and flexibility of the simulation process. The time statistics show that the time of simulation of island NEAT was shortened by 6.8% to 27.1% in comparison to modified NEAT method.

Results of the study of information competence formation of future specialists in navigation and ship handling

The article presents the results of experimental testing of pedagogical conditions for forming information competence of future specialists in navigation and ship handling. While teaching the disciplines «Ocean Routes of the World», «Navigation Bridge Resource Management», «Actions in Accidents, Search and Rescue at Sea», «Navigation Information Systems» it is suggested to use interactive methods to form the cadets’ ability to generalize, analyze and use information during professional interaction, develop the ability to spread information about vessel handling, workload management, to share their experience in navigation with other people, make requests, give suggestions on solving pressing problems. To develop cadets' skills in information support of navigation information systems, it is proposed to use electronic educational resources, including educational, information, scientific, reference materials presented in electronic form or stored in computer networks. The importance of modern technologies, including information resources of the Internet, such as blogs, web quests, blog quests, as well as simulation technologies with augmented and virtual reality has been highlighted.

The Effect of Hybrid Training Combined with On demand Classes

One aspect of life hit hard by the COVD-19 pandemic in 2020 was education in general and, in this case, actual ship training. The same is true for anchoring training, implemented annually as part of maritime training. Therefore, to conduct ship training effectively and briefly, this study advocates hybrid training, that is, shortened practical training combined with on demand video learning materials created and distributed to students in advance. Group work on ship handling planning that lasts for three to six hours is normally conducted annually in traditional classes. However, because of the pandemic, the allotted time for group work was reduced to approximately 1.5 hours. Therefore, in 2020, we conducted hybrid training, that is, anchoring training that included on demand video learning materials. Compared to students’ 66.3% average achievement rate in 2018 and 2019, the average in 2020 was 78.3%. ‘Anchoring procedure’ and ‘altering course’ items showed a particularly large gap in evaluation. The following were effects of hybrid training: (1) Videos that can be watched in advance can also be viewed repeatedly at one’s own pace. (2) The capacity to watch videos via smart phones provides students with better access. (3) As videos can be watched in advance, students become familiar with concepts before training, thus leading to better understanding of the training’s content and purpose. These results demonstrated hybrid training’s effect when practical training is combined with on demand materials.

Simulation of ship handling in reverse

One of the main problems of seamanship is steering the boat in reverse modes. This skill can be achieved using simulators or simulators that work based on a mathematical model. This model should adequately describe all ship maneuvers, including simulation in reverse modes. The article deals with the mathematical modeling of maneuvering from a ship in reverse. The authors performed model calculations, basic test maneuvers, such as “Circulation”, “Exit Circulation” and “Zigzag”. The analysis of trajectories testifies to the qualitative correspondence of the calculation results according to the mathematical model to the practice of navigation, and this model can be used for automatic control of the vessel, for assessing the movement of the vessel in reverse, and teaching navigation skills on simulators and simulators. The vessel when moving in reverse, at low speeds obeys the steering organ, but at speeds greater than the average stroke on the backward shift, it leaves the circulation very slowly and sometimes becomes uncontrollable. The withdrawal of a reverse circulation vessel is extremely difficult and requires additional skills and abilities from the navigator.

Evaluation of reliability of quickly repairable components of transshipment machines and mechanisms

When calculating the reliability indicators of transshipment machines and mechanisms, the required values are not always obtained explicitly due to systematic difficulties (complex distribution laws) or limited initial data. The optimal stock of spare parts for transshipment machines and mechanisms depends on the reliability indicators, and the nature and intensity of their use. Downtime due to the failure of transshipment machines and mechanisms used for ship handling leads to greater losses than downtime of these machines in the warehouse. Failures of transshipment machines and mechanisms can be due to the failure of non-repairable and quickly repairable components, and those with a long repair time. To calculate the main reliability indicators of quickly repairable components, the most common laws of distribution of random variables were employed. The paper considers the methodological aspects of the probabilistic reliability estimate of quickly repairable components of transshipment machines and mechanisms.

New Results For Teaching Ship Handling Using Fast Time Simulation

Some years ago, the SAMMON software tool box was introduced for “simulation augmented manoeuvring design, monitoring & conning”. It is based on the innovative “rapid advanced prediction & interface technology” (RAPIT) to simulate the ships motion by fast time simulation FTS with complex dynamic math models and to display the ships track immediately in an electronic sea chart for any rudder, thruster or engine manoeuvre planned by the navigator.specifically, the SAMMON planning tool will be shown in its opportunities for achieving new knowledge for teaching of ships dynamic and training of ship handling elements. That system represents the full information from ships’ manoeuvring documentation and from additional trial results squeezed in a ship dynamic model, capable of simulating environmental effects by using the RAPIT technology. The paper introduces the variety of opportunities of the training tools by presenting use case studies, e.g. For drifting under wind and how to get simple formulas for drift speed related to wind speed. Additionally, two complex manoeuvring strategies for a port arrival scenario will be compared for a ship with azimuth propeller to find out potential alternatives with less fuel consumptions and emissions.

Ship Handling Training for Collision Avoidance: Education via Group Work

In shipping, which is one of the drivers of the world’s economy, many marine accidents continue to occur, such as ship collisions and grounding. To prevent marine collision accidents, there is a strong demand to improve seafarers’ skills through training. Therefore, practical and simulation training sessions are carried out. However, these cannot be considered sufficient because of cost and time constraints. Therefore, the authors proposed a training method in which a group of students set the situation themselves by adding restrictions on actual cases of ship handling for collision avoidance and then discuss and present it. In this training method, ship training instructor assessment and an anchoring experiment were carried out, both of which obtained good evaluations. The anchoring experiment showed a difference of up to 27.5% in the achievement rate between the proposed training and previous training. Regarding ship handling for collision avoidance, as much as a 45.5% difference in achievement rate was observed. These are considered to have the effect of encouraging active thinking by the proposed training method. In addition, the effect of considering the ship handling for collision avoidance for many situations can be thought. Furthermore, it was considered to be the effect of discussions in group work.