Maritime Simulation Institute is now United States Maritime Resource Center (USMRC). Please visit the USMRC Section for more information.
Maritime Simulation Institute was founded in 1974 by FlightSafety International with the business concept of employing simulators to train ship masters, mates, and pilots. Maritime Simulation Institute was the first maritime training organization in the United States to use ship simulators. In 2010 the institute was ISO 9001-2008 certified to design, develop, and conduct Simulator based research and training for the maritime industry.
Maritime Simulation Institute employs its simulators in research and port development on an international basis. The institute provides both standard and customized training to ship and tug companies, to individual mariners, and to the United States Navy. Today Maritime Simulation Institute continues to provide customized training and specialized research at its Newport facility.
Maritime Simulation Institute, including its headquarters and learning centers, has been assessed by ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc. and found to be in conformance with the requirements set forth by ISO 9001-2008. The Quality Management system is applicable to: design, develop, and conduct simulator based training and research for the maritime industry.
Maritime Simulation Institute's Training and Simulation Center in Newport (Middletown), Rhode Island is located in the Aquidneck Industrial Park off Aquidneck Avenue, three miles from downtown Newport. The Newport Center houses three Full Mission Bridge Simulators, a 360° Tug Simulator, a Radar/ARPA lab, and an ECDIS lab. The four simulators are capable of operating separately or fully interactively. In addition to the simulators, the Center has full support facilities including electronically equipped classrooms, conference rooms, learning feedback centers, and break rooms.
Training Programs
- Shiphandling: Safety and management of risk begins with the measurable skills of shiphandling and piloting. Simulator courses such as those described below provide for both events: learning the principles and forces affecting shiphandling, and practicing maneuvers in a safe environment. The courses include: Saint Lawrence Seaway Piloting (40 hr), Saint Lawrence Seaway Shiphandling (40 hr), and Shiphandling (23 hr).
- Radar / ARPA / ECDIS: Courses emphasize the use of Radar, ARPA, and ECDIS within the context of total bridge operations. Capabilities and limitations of various types of ARPA are covered. USCG and IMO regulations and standards are followed. The courses include: Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) (28 hr), Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (ECDIS) (32 hr), Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (ECDIS) (Canada ) (24 hr), Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (ECDIS) Refresher (20 hr), Radar Observer (Inland) (4 Days), Radar Observer (Rivers) (3 Days), Radar Observer (Unlimited) (5 Days), and Radar Recertification (1 Day).
- Mate to Chief Mate and Master: Licensed Mates at the "Operational" level (third and second mates) seeking to advance to the "Management" level (Chief Mate and Master) are required to take a series of training courses. These courses are in addition to other requirements such as sea time and successful completion of a written exam administered by the USCG. The courses include: Advanced Meteorology (35 hr), Advanced Navigation (37 hr), Advanced Watchkeeping (37 hr), Meteorology, Advanced (35 hr), Navigation, Advanced (37 hr), Shiphandling (40 hr) and Shiphandling, Advanced (80 hr).
- OICNW-AB: Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch and Able Bodied Seaman training courses meet the USCG training requirements for unlicensed mariners seeking AB designation or licensing as third mate. Maritime Simulation Institute offers several of the required OICNW courses as well as opportunity for AB’s to complete required individual assessments on MSI simulators. The courses include: Bridge Resource Management (BRM) (23 hr), Bridge Resource Management (BRM) (37 hr), Flashing Light (Visual Communications) (6.5 hr), Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW) Assessments (1 Day), and Shiphandling, Basic (32 hr).
- HSC: High speed operation (in littoral areas) means proximity to hazards, high traffic density, and with transit speeds well in excess of 30 knots, dramatically reduced reaction (response) time. Safe operations in those conditions demands well developed procedures and a highly trained crew fully proficient in bridge operations and the state-of-the-art bridge technology which enables a two person core bridge team to safely navigate at high speed. The courses include: Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) for High Speed Craft (28 hr), Bridge Resource Management (BRM) & Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (ECDIS) for High Speed Craft (5 Days), and Shiphandling for High Speed Craft (20 hr).
- Tractor Tug: Tractor Tugs for Masters & Mates, and Tractor Tugs for Pilots & Docking Masters.
- Special Courses: : Bridge Resource Management (BRM) for Pilots Seminar (APA Approved) (16 hr), Engine Resource Management (ERM) Seminar (23 hr), Master's License - 100 GT Near Coastal, Great Lakes, Inland, STCW Refresher (20 hr), and Train The Trainer (38 hr)