The Bridge Simulator

Location
The bridge simulator is near the Astronomy Building and Building 3, opposite the supply building.

History
In 2003 the RTNA built the Bridge Simulator to train naval cadets, because to train on a real ship at sea used a lot of money , so naval cadets have sea training only twice a year. In this case the Commandant of the RTNA (Vice-Admiral Prawit Seesukwattana ) thought they should train more than twice a year to be good officers. Since the RTNA built the Bridge Simulator the officers from the Department of Seamanship and Navigation can train naval cadets with it as often as they want, for example twice or three times a week.

What is the Bridge Simulator ?
The Bridge Simulator system was developed by Rheinmetall Defence Electronics company. The main bridge looks like the real bridge of a warship and in the cubicles it is the same but smaller than on the main bridge. The ship's view and pictures of ships are simulated from real Royal Thai warships. Of course the view of the country such as the Chao Praya river and Pattaya Beach are simulated from the real locations. There are one main bridge, four cubicles and control room on the 2nd floor of this building. There are one classroom, five communication training rooms and one teacher's room on the 1st floor.

Activities
The Bridge Simulator is use to train naval cadets as follows:
4th year-They must train how to order men on the bridge and how to control a ship the right way.
3rd year - They must train in communicating with other ships and make a point of other ship's positions on the map.
2nd year - They must train how to use a radar, electronic map and control the engines.
1st year - They must train to be helmsmen and observers.

Bridge Simulator Building.

The class room used for learning about how to use the bridge simulator.

The cubicles.

Control room.

Main bridge.

Computer room.

Map of the bridge simulator.

Special Event

In October [2008, Ed.] Merchant Marine students from Kasetsart came to train with Naval cadets at the bridge simulator for 7 days.

References

Bridge Simulator. 17 November 2003. Royal Thai Naval Academy. 22 September 2008.

We interviewed Captain Charin Boonmoh about the Bridge Simulator. He is in charge of the Bridge Simulator. In the past he taught many subjects.
1. Have you ever taught Merchant Marine students from Kasetsart University?
- Yes, I taught them two months ago.
2. What is the difference between Naval Cadets and Merchant Marine students?
- I think Naval cadets have more discipline than Marine students and Merchant Marine students should train harder.
3. What did you teach the Merchant Marine students?
- I taught many subjects such as Introduction to Navigation and Celestial Navigation.
4. Hoe long have you been teaching in the RTNA ?
- I have been teaching for 8 years and I think this Academy has become better.
5. What is your opinion about Kasetsart joining with the RTNA. Can the Bridge Simulator support teaching them?
- In my opinion, if Merchant Marine cadets and Naval Cadets join together, the Bridge Simulator can support them because this Bridge Simulator is big enough.