Technical Proficiency: The GDS simulator helps personnel develop advanced skills in troubleshooting and maintaining complex machinery, which is crucial for achieving SIRE 2.0’s standards for operational excellence. Environmental Compliance: With a growing emphasis on environmental regulations, the simulator enables crew members to familiarize themselves with compliance standards and practice procedures that reduce environmental impact, such as optimizing fuel usage and managing waste effectively. Safety Protocols: Through realistic training scenarios, the simulator reinforces safety protocols, ensuring that personnel can identify and mitigate risks, which is a core component of the SIRE 2.0 inspection program.

GDS SERS™ Makes IMO Engine Room Resource Management (ERM) Certificate Trainings Conducted Efficiently and Effectively

Posted on October 7, 2022November 8, 2024 by Ismail Cicek

Description of an ERM Training

Engine Room Resource Management (ERM) is a system of achieving safe engineering operations by proactively utilizing and managing personnel, equipment, and information in the machinery space. A review the team roles, human factors, and situational awareness is required to plan and implement a proper ERM program. Remember, good ERM practices can save personnel and vessels from unwanted risks.

The course complies with the standards of Regulation III/1, III/2, III/6 and VIII/2 of STCW Convention, Section A-III/1, III/2, III/6, A-VIII/2 and B-VIII/2 of STCW Code and SIRE requirements.

Topics in a ERM training includes

Learn about effective resource allocation including crew, plant, equipment, and information management
Understand the leadership responsibilities of the Chief Engineer, including staff training and motivation, preventing crew fatigue, and conducting appropriate drills
Review individual and team roles, and how to reduce human error using situational awareness and closed loop communication
See engine room equipment functions and standard operating procedures

Relevance of this Training with existing IMO Model Courses

This course includes the topics using the guidance provided by the following IMO Model Courses.

IMO Model Course 7.02 Chief Engineer Officer and Second Engineer Officer
IMO Model Course 7.04 Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch
IMO Model Course 2.07 Engine Rooms Simulator. 2017 Ed.
IMO Model Course 1.39 Leadership and Teamwork
IMO Model Course 1.38 Marine Environmental Awareness

Referenced Documents

The following documents must be used along with this document for effectively planning and providing an ERM training.

GDS SERS User Manuals and Documents

User Manual Vol I (SERS Software Description) describe the SERS software with the SERS Graphical User Interface (GUI) Panels accessed from the SERS Main Graphical User Interface (GUI) Panel.
User Manual Volume II (Engine Room Operations) includes the operational instructions on how to operate the engine room systems and machinery using the SERS.
User Manual Vol III (Installation & Configuration) describes the installation and the configuration of software and hardware items
This manual, User Manual Volume IV (Instructor’s Manual), includes guides and information for the instructors to utilize SERS in their trainings according to their specific training objectives.
Refer to “SERS Philosophy Document” for selecting the configuration of the SERS for your training objectives. Then use Vol. III for the proper installation of the SERS and reading the configuration guidelines.

External Referenced Documens

IMO Model Course 7.02 Chief Engineer Officer and Second Engineer Officer
IMO Model Course 7.04 Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch
IMO Model Course 2.07 Engine Rooms Simulator. 2017 Ed.
IMO Model Course 1.39 Leadership and Teamwork
IMO Model Course 1.38 Marine Environmental Awareness

ENGINE ROOM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TRAINING MODEL

The course complies with the standards of Regulation III/1, III/2, III/6 and VIII/2 of STCW Convention, Section A-III/1, III/2, III/6, A-VIII/2 and B-VIII/2 of STCW Code and SIRE requirements.

The course is aimed at officers of the engineering watch (operational level), 2nd Engineer and Chief Engineer (management level).

The course is a mix of theory case studies and simulation exercise covering topics below. The following are the four main areas to cover in an ERM training:

GDS SERS IMO Engine Room Resource Management Course Model 2.07 IMO. Certification Training. Marine Engineering Cadets. Class Regulations.

RESOURCE ALLOCATION: Effective resource allocation including crew, plant, equipment, and information management.
LEADERSHIP: The leadership responsibilities of the Chief Engineer, including staff training and motivation, preventing crew fatigue, and conducting appropriate drills
TEAM ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The roles and responsibilities for both individuals and team. Planning and execution must be reviewed with past experiences with the aim of reducing human error using situational awareness and closed loop communication.
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: A study with a thorough review of equipment functions, standard operating procedures including safety procedures.

Designing your ERM Training with SERS

In this section, we provide a guidance on how to design an IMO ERM training with step by step approach. We hope that it helps you provide an effective training for your cadets or engineers already working onboard.

1. Certification of the Simulator

Certification of the simulator is highly important. You must ensure that it has all capabilities to provide the capabilities training based on STCW 2010. As for the ERM training, the simulator must be capable of demonstrating the IMO Model Course (2.07) exercises.

GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator (SERS™) is a Training Simulator System with a Full Mission (Class A) type approval certificate obtained from ClassNK. ClassNK is an IACS affiliate Classification Organization. Certificate of SERS™ lists the IMO STCW 2010 competencies, as provided in Table 1, which includes the compliance to IMO STCW Tables A-III. The class certification of SERS includes the IMO Model Course 2.07 (207) Ed.). The trainee is able to perform all exercises contained in the IMO Model Course 2.07. All exercises were demonstrated during the Class Type Approval.

Table 1: SERS™ Certification Items for STCW Training Competencies.


IMO STCW-2010 Reference	Competence
Table A-III/1.1	Maintain a safe engineering watch
Table A-III/1.2	Use English in written and oral form
Table A-III/1.3	Use internal communication systems
Table A-III/1.4	Operate main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems
Table A-III/1.5	Operate fuel, lubrication, ballast and other pumping systems and associated control systems
Table A-III/1.6	Operate electrical, electronic and control systems
Table A-III/1.10	Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements
Table A-III/1.11	Maintain seaworthiness of the ship
Table A-III/1.12	Prevent, control and fight fires on board
Table A-III/1.16	Application of leadership and team working skills
Table A-III/2.1	Manage the operation of propulsion plant machinery
Table A-III/2.2	Plan and schedule operations
Table A-III/2.3	Operation, surveillance, performance assessment and maintaining safety of propulsion plant and auxiliary Machinery
Table A-III/2.4	Manage fuel, lubrication and ballast operations
Table A-III/2.5	Manage operation of electrical and electronic control equipment
Table A-III/2.6	Manage troubleshooting restoration of electrical and electronic control equipment to operating condition
Table A-III/2.8	Detect and identify the cause of machinery malfunctions and correct faults
Table A-III/2.10	Control trim, stability and stress
Table A-III/2.11	Monitor and control compliance with legislative requirements and measures to ensure safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment
Table A-III/2.14	Use leadership and managerial skills
Table A-III/4.2	For keeping a boiler watch: Maintain the correct water levels and steam pressures
Table A-III/6.1	Monitor the operation of electrical, electronic and control systems
Table A-III/6.2	Monitor the operation of automatic control systems of propulsion and auxiliary machinery
Table A-III/6.3	Operate generators and distribution systems
Table A-III/6.4	Operate and maintain power systems in excess of 1,000 volts
Table A-III/6.5	Operate computers and computer networks on ships
Table A-III/6.7	Use internal communication systems
Table A-III/6.9	Maintenance and repair of automation and control systems of main propulsion and auxiliary machinery
Table A-III/6.12	Ensure compliance with pollution-prevention requirements

2. Simulator Detail Specs

This is probably the most tricky part. Some simulators could be cheap (!) and may be simulating the systems at a very high level. Does it have a main engine lubricating oil system? Probably yes. Does it satisfy the IMO competencies. Well this is the tricky part. It must have the LO Temperature Control System appropariately and realistically simulating the systems. We gave a simple example. Most trainers learn the specifics of the simulator after some experience of using it and become aware of the isues that prevent providing an efficient engine room simulator training. This may not be of an issue for a freshman level students; however, it becomes important when trainees are already completed their training onboard a ship and that they completed their marine engine engineering courses (Diesel Engines, Ship Auxiliary Engines, Electrical Systems, Automatic Control Systems, etc.). Additionally, the models and simulated systems has critical importance when the trainees are the personnel already have experience onboard a ship. Usually, the trainees in an ERM course will be watchkeeping officers or even chief engineers and they will probably critisize the training if the simulations are not realistic!

We have written the full specifications list for an engine room simulator, generalized with a focus on how it must help the instructors in the training. We went through each section of both the IMO STCW 2010 and IMO Model Course 2.07 and ensure the full list is at hand with the training in focus. Do not hesitate to request a copy if you are establishing an engine room training facility. We will be glad to help as trainers with ERS training experience of more than 20 years.

We should warn you that you must prepare the requirements for purchasing an Engine Room Simulator not the manufacturer.

3. Simulator Configurations

The training area must be organized with a focus into the training goals and objectives. The number of students to train at once is also an important element.

There are two examples of simulator configırations shown with the following figures. You must define your objectives first and ensure that a satisfactory number of stations and area is provided during the training.

ERS Training Plant GDS Engineering Inc SERS Full Mission Engine Room Simulator Layout and Equipment Arrangement

Ship Engine Room Simulator (ERS) SERS GDS Engineering R&D IMO STCW 2010, Engine Performance, Main Diesel Engine, Marine, Maritime, IMO Model Course 2.07. Certified by ClassNK. ITU Maritime Faculty. Yıldız Technical University. Competencies. Operation and Management Level. Education and Training. Assessment of Marine Engineers. Troubleshooting with Fault Tree Scnearious and Analysis Reporting. Objective Assessment. Nippon Kaiji Kyokai.High Voltage Training Functions 6600 VAC. Ship Propulsion Systems. Maritime Education and Training. Main Engine Performance. Sunken Diagrams. Energy Efficiency. Marine Engineering. Effect of Draft Change in the Ship Main Engine Performance Parameters. Management Level Training Exercices, Marine Engineering Education and Training. SERS Trademark

Effect of Weather on the Marine Propulsion Engine Performance Onboard a Ship

Posted on January 10, 2022January 14, 2022 by Ismail Cicek

IMO Model Course Exercise recommends students learn the weather change effect on engine performance.

GDS Engineering R&D developed a modern Engine Room Simulator (ERS) and it is in use by various research and training institutions. GDS ERS, called SERS, includes all engine room, ship, and environmental paramaters to demonstrate the weather effect to engine performance while onboard systems are maintaining their status with the displayed parameters. This scenario study is a predefined and set in the ERS for instructors to directly apply in their STCW Management Level Exercises. Student Workbooks accomodate this exercise with specficic forms to fill by the trainees.

Capture GDS Vision in the Engine Room Simulator Development

Posted on January 6, 2022November 8, 2024 by Ismail Cicek

In recent years, the maritime industry has seen a significant push towards technological advancement and stricter safety and operational standards. As vessels become more sophisticated and regulations evolve, the role of well-trained onboard maritime personnel becomes increasingly essential. In this context, the SIRE 2.0 program and GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator represent pioneering tools designed to equip maritime crews with deep technical skills necessary to meet new demands and improve the safety and efficiency of maritime operations.

Understanding SIRE 2.0 and Its Impact on Maritime Training

The Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE) has long been a fundamental tool in maintaining safety and operational standards across the maritime industry, particularly for tanker operations. Launched by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), the program provides a comprehensive inspection system that evaluates the condition and operations of vessels. However, with the growing complexity of modern vessels and stricter environmental and safety regulations, the traditional SIRE program required enhancements to address these evolving needs. This led to the development of SIRE 2.0, an upgraded version that integrates data-centric inspection methodologies with a stronger focus on crew competency, operational excellence, and technical skills.

One of the key features of SIRE 2.0 is its focus on assessing the competency of crew members in handling complex equipment and operations. Rather than focusing solely on vessel condition, SIRE 2.0 evaluates the practical skills, knowledge, and decision-making abilities of onboard personnel. This ensures that crew members are not only familiar with equipment and operational standards but are also capable of responding effectively to critical situations.

The emphasis on crew competency in SIRE 2.0 aligns with the industry’s shift toward a human-centered approach in safety and operational excellence. This paradigm shift means that training programs must go beyond traditional instruction and delve into more practical, technology-driven skills, which is where simulators like the GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator come into play.

The Role of the GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator in Skill Development

The GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator is an advanced training tool that replicates the engine room environment of modern vessels, providing maritime personnel with hands-on experience in a controlled setting. This simulator covers a wide range of critical systems found in ship engine rooms, including propulsion, auxiliary machinery, electrical systems, and emergency protocols. By using the simulator, crew members can practice their skills, refine their decision-making processes, and gain confidence in handling complex systems without the risks associated with real-world errors.

The simulator allows trainees to engage in realistic scenarios, such as equipment failures, power management issues, and environmental challenges. This training is invaluable in helping them develop deep technical skills needed to respond effectively under pressure. Given the increasing complexity of ship machinery, which often integrates digital and automated controls, such simulator-based training ensures that personnel are well-prepared for both routine and emergency operations.

Developing Deep Technical Skills with SIRE 2.0 and the GDS Simulator

By integrating SIRE 2.0’s competency standards with the practical capabilities of the GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator, maritime training institutions can foster deep tech skills that are essential in today’s high-stakes maritime environment. Training programs using these tools can address various aspects, including:

Operational Readiness: By simulating real-life engine room conditions, the GDS simulator enables personnel to develop an intuitive understanding of systems and processes, which aligns with SIRE 2.0’s focus on crew readiness and situational awareness.

Crisis Management and Decision-Making: The simulator provides scenarios that replicate emergency situations, allowing trainees to practice crisis response, prioritize actions, and make critical decisions under pressure.

Technical Proficiency: The GDS simulator helps personnel develop advanced skills in troubleshooting and maintaining complex machinery, which is crucial for achieving SIRE 2.0’s standards for operational excellence.

Environmental Compliance: With a growing emphasis on environmental regulations, the simulator enables crew members to familiarize themselves with compliance standards and practice procedures that reduce environmental impact, such as optimizing fuel usage and managing waste effectively.

Safety Protocols: Through realistic training scenarios, the simulator reinforces safety protocols, ensuring that personnel can identify and mitigate risks, which is a core component of the SIRE 2.0 inspection program.

Enhancing the Future of Maritime Training
As the maritime industry continues

A Summary of GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator (ERS) charateristics to fit into your training program

Posted on November 17, 2021December 24, 2021 by Ismail Cicek

With our product, certified by the Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK) as a Class A (Full Mission) Engine Room Simulator, our purpose is to ensure that the instructors can efficiently utilize this training environment in their Maritime Education and Training (MET) programs and that the trainees can have a productive training.

Developed by GDS Engineering R&D; our product called Ship Engine Room Simulator (SERS);

Meets IMO STCW 2010 requirements (with Manila Amendments).
Supports training programs using IMO Model Course 2.07 (2017 Edition).
Certified by Class NK for meeting both IMO STCW 2010 and Model Course 2.07.
The simulator is the digital twin model of a real ship (ref. to User Manuals for complete references and details)
Configurable for an individual training study on a Workstation/PC
Configurable for group studies with distributed system configuration using distributed computers and large touch-screen panels as well as association of hardware consoles and panels.
Provides automated training reports.
Includes high voltage training functions
Simulates all engine room machinery and systems with over 50 Graphical User Interface (GUI) Panels.
All systems are interfaced with all engine room parameters, any change in any parts of the systems is immediately affect the other systems, as in reality!
Emphasizes all aspects of the electrical operations with realistic functions.
Easy graphical user interfaces that considerably decrease the time for learning and allowing instructors to directly move on to the training objectives.
Includes 5 User Manuals, allowing to apply the manuals to training programs directly.
Includes Exercise Workbooks for students to come to the simulator center with their study books. When books and user manuals are incorporated, it provides a similar work studies in real ships.
Exercise Book I is to use in the Operational Level of STCW 2010 training / competency levels. There are more than 10 example exercises are provided; already meeting the STCW objectives.
Exercise Book II is to use in the Management Level of STCW 2010 training/ competency levels. There are more than 10 example exercises are provided; already meeting the STCW objectives.
Engine room systems are simulated with high resolution rendered components providing easily readable GUIs on screens, which considerably decrease the learning time and moving on to the training subjects.

For more information, clisk here to read the details of the GDS ERS in our ERS product page. https://www.globaldynamicsystems.com/

or watch our YOUTUBE CHANNEL for more information with some example videos.

Dr. İsmail Çiçek

Posted on November 10, 2021November 19, 2021 by Ismail Cicek

Dr İsmail Çiçek 1990 yılında İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi (İTÜ) Gemi Makineleri İşletme Mühendisliği Bölümünden mezun oldu. Akademik dünya ve endüstrinin değişik alanlarındaki çalışmalarıyla geniş tecrübe sahibi olan İsmail Çiçek, Texas Tech Üniversitesi Makine Mühendisliği Bölümünden 1995’de Yüksek Lisans 1999’da doktora diplomalarını aldı. Dr Çiçek yüksek lisans çalışmasında dizayn ve kontrol sistemleri, doktora çalışmasında ise mekanik titreşimler ve kontrol sistemleri konularında çalışmalar yaptı.

Dr İsmail Çiçek 1999-2003 yılları arasında İTÜ Denizcilik Fakültesi Gemi Makineleri İşletme Mühendisliği Bölümünde Öğretim Üyesi ve Bölüm Başkan Yardımcısı olarak görev yaptı. Bu süre içerisinde Dr Çiçek İTÜ Simülatör Merkezinin kurulması, International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) birliğinin oluşturulması, ve The State University of New York (SUNY) ile İTÜ Denizcilik Fakültesi arasında çift diplomalı lisans programının gerçekleştirilmesi çalışmalarında bulundu.

1997 yılından günümüze Dr. İsmail Çiçek ABD savunma sektöründe proje yapan şirketlerde ve ABD Hava Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı bünyesinde değişik program ve projelerde uzun yıllar (toplam 15 yıl) mühendis ve lider olarak çalışmalar yürüttü. Dr. Çiçek’in savunma sanayi deneyimi Coğrafi Bilgi Sistemlerini kullanan İnsansız Hava Aracı ve Sistemleri geliştirilmesi ve US Marine Corps’a teslimi, sabit kanat uçakların modernizasyonu (C-5, C-17, C-130 E/H/J, vb), askeri cihazlarının uçak, hava ve deniz araçlarında kullanılabilmesi için ortama uyumluluk testleri, insansız hava araçları için dizel motor geliştirilmesi ve uygulanması gibi önemli çalışmaları içermektedir.

Dr Çiçek, Raytheon ve Texas Tech Üniversitesi işbirliği ile hazırlanan Sistem Mühendisliği doktora programında Entegre Ürün Verifikasyon ve Validasyon dersini verdi. Titiz, enerjik ve mükemmel takım çalışması göstergeleri dolayısıyla İsmail Çiçek’e; Terra Health tarafından, 2009 yılında Mükemmel Mühendislik ve 2010 yılında Müşteriye Hizmette Üstünlük ödülleri, ABD Hava Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı’nca çok sayıda ödül ve teşekkür mektupları takdim edildi.
Bir çok bilimsel ve mühendislik yayınları olan ve uluslararası konferans etkinlikleri bulunan Dr. İsmail Çiçek halen ASTM, ASME, IEEE ve ISO gibi uluslararası profesyonel kuruluşlarda aktif üye olup, askeri ve sivil standartlar geliştiren komitelerde çalışmalar yapmaktadır. Dr. Çiçek’in uluslararası sivil ve askeri standartlar konusunda uygulamalı tecrübeleri bulunmaktadır.

Dr. İsmail Cicek, 2012 yılından itibaren İTÜ Denizcilik Fakültesi’nde Öğretim Üyesi olarak görev yapmakta, Otomatik Kontrol Sistemleri, Gemi Makine Dairesi Simülatörleri, Gemi Kontrol Sistemleri, Mekanik Titreşimler ve benzeri dersler vermektedir. Dr. İsmail Çiçek Üniversite-Sanayi işbirliklerine önem vermektedir, bu sebeple de IMSO, TÜLOMSAŞ, MILPER, FEMSAN, ve benzeri kurum ve kuruluşlar ile birlikte çalışmalar da yapmıştır.