CZ1 Manoeuvring Simulation — Training Exercises for Pilots and Crew

CZ1 Manoeuvring Simulation — Training Exercises for Pilots and CrewCZ1 Manoeuvring Simulation is a focused training environment designed to build and refine ship-handling skills for pilots, bridge teams, and deck officers. This article outlines structured exercises, learning objectives, scenario setup, execution steps, performance metrics, and debriefing techniques to make CZ1 training sessions effective, repeatable, and aligned with real-world operational demands.

Purpose and learning objectives

The primary goals of CZ1 manoeuvring exercises are to:

Improve situational awareness in confined waters and during close-quarters situations.
Develop precise helm and propulsion control for low-speed handling and dynamic positioning.
Practice communication and coordination between pilot, master, and bridge team during complex manoeuvres.
Build proficiency in using tugs, anchors, bow thrusters, and thruster-assisted turns.
Train emergency response to loss-of-power, steering failure, or unexpected environmental changes.

By the end of training participants should be able to execute Berthing, Unberthing, Turning in Narrow Channels, Doubles (twin-vessel operations), and Emergency Stop drills within defined safety margins.

Recommended participants and roles

Pilot (trainee or instructor): leads the manoeuvre planning and execution.
Master or deputy: senior officer overseeing safety and adherence to company procedures.
Helmsman: executes helm orders.
Engine-room communicator: relays propulsion status and RPM orders.
Lookouts and mooring team (for berthing/unberthing scenarios).
Simulator instructor/operator: configures the scenario, monitors performance, and runs replay/debrief.

Scenario setup and environmental parameters

Set environmental conditions to match the training objective. Recommended parameters to vary:

Wind: 0–30+ knots, adjust direction relative to vessel.
Current/tide: range from slack to strong (e.g., 0–3 knots), with different shear profiles.
Visibility: clear to restricted (fog, rain) for advanced exercises.
Traffic density: single-vessel to multi-vessel interaction.
Bathymetry: shallow water effects, bank cushion, channel width and bend radius.
Propulsion/steering failures: partial or total loss to practice emergency procedures.

Vessel characteristics should also be configurable: length, beam, draft, block coefficient, propulsion type (single screw, twin, azimuthing thrusters), rudder type, and windage profile.

Core exercises

Below are detailed exercises with objectives, setup, execution steps, and performance checks.

1. Berthing in confined port (sideslip and quartering wind)

Objective: Controlled approach and mooring alongside, using tugs and thrusters as required.
Setup: Narrow berth, wind 15–25 knots on the beam or quarter, moderate current across berth approach, one or two assisting tugs.
Execution:
1. Conduct passage planning and choose approach vector.
2. Coordinate tug lines, thruster usage, and engine orders.
3. Approach at reduced speed, perform final corrections with thrusters and rudder, bring vessel alongside with minimal fender contact.
4. Slow, deliberate use of engine to maintain position while mooring team makes fast.
Performance checks: speed over ground at berth, lateral drift, distance to quay at contact, time-to-secure, crew communication clarity.

2. Unberthing and pivot turns in restricted water

Objective: Safe departure using pivoting techniques without tugs, or with single tug assistance.
Setup: Confined basin with nearby traffic, wind/current creating set across the exit channel.
Execution:
1. Plan pivot point and prop walk usage.
2. Use short bursts of astern propulsion, rudder angles, and bow thruster to swing the bow clear.
3. Monitor squat and bank effects when increasing sternway.
Performance checks: clearance margins from quay and other vessels, number of propulsion reversals, time to clear channel.

3. Turning in narrow channel (one-point turn and three-point turn)

Objective: Execute controlled turn within limited turning basin using minimum tugs and minimal propeller wash effect on banks.
Setup: Channel width just greater than vessel beam, current aligned or cross to the channel.
Execution:
1. Choose turning technique based on channel geometry.
2. Use combination of propeller, rudder, and thruster forces; coordinate with tugs if available.
3. Maintain speed low to avoid squat but sufficient for steerage.
Performance checks: turning circle compared to theoretical, distance from bank at closest point, risk of bank suction or cushion.

4. Tandem/double-ended operations (two-vessel coordination)

Objective: Practice close-proximity manoeuvring with another large vessel or barge (tug-barge operation).
Setup: Leader/follower roles, variable environment with current shear.
Execution:
1. Establish clear commands and signals between vessels.
2. Practice station-keeping, course changes, and emergency separation.
3. Simulate towline failure and practice controlled parting or re-attachment.
Performance checks: relative spacing maintenance, smoothness of course changes, reaction time to separation.

5. Emergency stop and steering failure drills

Objective: Rapid, controlled responses to loss-of-steering or propulsion to avoid grounding or collision.
Setup: Simulate sudden rudder jam, steering gear failure, or engine blackout while in constrained waters.
Execution:
1. Instantly assess available control (thrusters, tugs, anchoring).
2. Execute emergency communication and orders to engine room and mooring teams.
3. Use anchors or tug assistance if required to arrest drift.
Performance checks: time to implement emergency plan, distance traveled during loss of control, successful avoidance of hazards.

Measurement and assessment

Use objective metrics and structured feedback:

Track quantitative metrics: approach speed, lateral drift (m), closest point of approach (CPA) to quay/other vessels, time-to-secure, number of rudder/engine order changes.
Score communication: clarity, timeliness, use of standard phraseology.
Error logging: missed calls, delayed responses, improper use of tugs/thrusters.
Use simulator replay for side-by-side comparison against ideal run and peer performance.

Debriefing: structured after-action review

Replay critical segments with annotated telemetry (SOG, RPM, rudder angle, wind/current vectors).
Ask structured questions: What was planned? What happened? Why? What will you do differently?
Highlight best-practice decisions and corrective actions.
Create an improvement plan with measurable goals for the next session.

Progression and curriculum design

Beginner: Basic helm orders, single-person berthing/unberthing in calm conditions.
Intermediate: Quartering winds, use of tugs, moderate traffic scenarios.
Advanced: Restricted channels, equipment failures, multi-ship coordination, low-visibility operations.
Assessment: formal exam scenario judged against company/authority standards.

Instructor tips

Start simple and gradually introduce compounding factors (wind, current, traffic).
Encourage clear communication and role discipline; enforce standard call-outs.
Use playback to show latent cues (bank cushion, squat) that trainees might miss in real time.
Vary vessel types to broaden handling experience.

Safety and limits

Always define safe exercise boundaries in the simulator: collision/capsize disabled for certain training runs until trainees reach required competency, and strict stop criteria for exercises to prevent reinforcing unsafe behaviours.

Example session plan (3-hour session)

0:00–0:20 — Briefing and objectives.
0:20–1:10 — Berthing exercise (scenario variations).
1:10–1:25 — Short debrief and corrective coaching.
1:25–2:10 — Turning in narrow channel + unberthing.
2:10–2:30 — Emergency stop/steering-failure drill.
2:30–2:50 — Tandem operations practice.
2:50–3:00 — Final debrief, action items, logging performance.

Conclusion

CZ1 Manoeuvring Simulation provides a safe, repeatable, and measurable environment to develop vital ship-handling skills. Structured exercises, objective metrics, and focused debriefs turn simulator hours into real-world competence for pilots and bridge crews.