Great Offshore is India's prominent integrated offshore oilfield services provider offering a broad spectrum of services to upstream oil and gas producers to carry out offshore exploration and production (E&P) activities. Since inception it has always laid emphasis on training and development of its employees thus enabling it to maintain its premier position in the offshore sector.
“This is the first and only integrated offshore vessel maneuvering simulator East of Suez,” stated Executive Director Mr. Soli C Engineer. “Our earlier indigenous simulation platform was commissioned in the year 2008 and was extensively used to familiarize, train, assess and upgrade the maneuvering skills of our sea going staff. In upgrading to the present simulation we have include an integrated DP simulator, anchor handling module, a tug handling simulation platform. We have also introduced a standalone crane handling simulator which mimics our existing cranes on vessels, rigs and construction barges. Such an integrated simulator will offer a gamut of services to the offshore industry. “
Giving details Capt Sandeep Kalia, Head of Fleet Personnel Department informed, “The DNV approved offshore simulator provides a common platform for deck & engine officers to operate simultaneously. What is unique is that the simulator is custom built and modeled on Great Offshore own vessels with the same controls as exists on their vessels. While the master and deck officers will focus on maneuvering, station keeping using manual controls, joystick or DP mode, the chief or second engineer will handle the winches from the wheelhouse, during towing and anchor handling operations.”
For Great Offshore which was bestowed with the “Safest and Most Environmentally conscious Indian Shipping Company” award for the year 2010, this comes to be another accomplishment. Dr. Satish Agnihotri, while inaugurating the simulator congratulated the company for this achievement and declared the setting up of the simulator a benchmark in shipping. He expressed his happiness over the technological advancements towards the offshore safety, by an Indian shipping company.
“It is the Man behind the machine that makes the difference and hence we have taken concrete steps to mitigate the challenges faced by us,” averred Mr Engineer. “Increasingly complex and demanding jobs and regulations are placing challenging pressures upon the seafarers. In order to supplement the on board training facilities, the company has designed & custom built an indigenous Offshore Ship handling & maneuvering simulator incorporating the latest technologies into a unique, world class product".