Monthly Archives: December 2024

Future Sailors Protect the Marmara Sea with the MarBalast Project!

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The “Raising Awareness on Marmara Sea Ballast and Bilge Pollution” project, supported by European Union Projects, draws attention to the environmental threats facing the Marmara Sea and aims to raise awareness among future sailors.
Environmental pollution caused by ballast and bilge water wastes originating from ships poses a serious threat to the Marmara Sea ecosystem. Although MARPOL and IMO Environmental Pollution rules aim to prevent this pollution, human factors and a lack of awareness can cause problems to continue.
At this point, the MarBalast Project was carried out under the consultancy of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Cicek aims to raise awareness through training for maritime students. Within the scope of the “Raising Awareness on Marmara Sea Ballast and Bilge Pollution” project, supported by European Union initiatives, highlights the environmental threats facing the Marmara Sea and aims to educate future sailors.
Pollution resulting from ship ballast and bilge water waste poses a significant threat to the Marmara Sea ecosystem. Although MARPOL and IMO environmental regulations are designed to prevent this pollution, human factors and a lack of awareness can lead to ongoing issues.
The MarBalast Project, guided by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Cicek seeks to raise awareness among maritime students through specialized training. As part of this project, the project team will organize conferences and workshops on maritime management and the importance of pollution prevention at various maritime faculties and high schools across Turkey.The project will last eight months and be executed by the Istanbul Technical University Maritime Technologies Club. Through the MarBalast Project, future sailors will learn about environmentally responsible maritime practices and contribute to protecting the Marmara Sea.
The main objectives of the project are:

  • To inform maritime students about the environmental damage caused by ships.
  • To emphasize the importance of adhering to international maritime regulations such as MARPOL and IMO.
  • To raise awareness aimed at minimizing environmental damage stemming from human activities.
  • To cultivate environmentally conscious generations of future sailors.

The MarBalast Project promises hope for the future of the Marmara Sea!

SERS™4Team Optimizing the Engine Room Simulator Configurations using GDS SERS™. The GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator Team System (SERS™4Team) is a cutting-edge maritime simulation platform designed to enhance collaborative teamwork in the maritime industry. Specifically developed to meet the IMO STCW 2010 Standards for Training and Certification of Watchkeeping, including Model Course 2.07 (2017 Ed.), SERS™4Team provides comprehensive marine engineering training through an immersive full mission engine room simulator (ERS) environment.   SERS™4Team focuses on IMO Engine Room Resource Management principles, enabling trainees to develop critical skills in communication, decision-making, and task allocation within a realistic engine room setting. The system covers all aspects of engine room operations, from ship electrical systems to main propulsion, and offers training at both operational and management levels.   Furthermore, SERS™4Team facilitates in-depth assessment and evaluation of trainee performance, allowing instructors to identify strengths and weaknesses. Advanced tools for root-cause analysis and troubleshooting enable trainees to understand and learn from their mistakes, ultimately improving their technical skills and problem-solving abilities. By incorporating scenarios focused on energy efficiency, SERS™4Team promotes best practices for optimized fuel consumption and reduced environmental impact. This ensures that trainees are not only technically proficient but also environmentally responsible. Sources and related content

Optimizing Maritime Engineering Training: A Deep Dive into the SERS™4Team Simulator

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Our new paper about SERS™ and ERM Training has been published in the Proceedings of IMLA 29.

Paper Reference Information (APA):

Ismail Cicek and Burak Cavusoglu (2024). An Optimized Ship Engine Room Simulator Configuration for Effective Engine Room Resource Management Training. Proceedings of the International Maritime Lecturers Association (IMLA) Conference. Pages 36-50. Conference held on September 25-28, Istanbul, Turkey.

Download our Paper in PDF File:

Cavusoglu&Cicek-An Optimize Shipr Engine Room Simulator Configuration for ERM trainingDownload
CavusogluCicek-An-Optimize-Shipr-Engine-Room-Simulator-Configuration-for-ERM-training

As part of the IMLA 2024 Conference, the new engine room simulator, called Ship Engine Room Simulator (SERS™) 4Team, SERS™4Team, has been demonstrated by Istanbul Technical University.

There was a great interest in the SERS™4Team demonstrations at the GDS booth and demonstrations at the Istanbul Technical University.

There was a great interest in the SERS™4Team demonstrations at the GDS booth and demonstrations at the Istanbul Technical University.

Optimizing Maritime Engineering Training: A Deep Dive into the SERS™4Team Simulator

The International Maritime Lecturers’ Association (IMLA) 2024 Conference provided a compelling platform for showcasing advancements in maritime education and training. Among the highlights was the demonstration of Istanbul Technical University’s latest innovation: the Ship Engine Room Simulator (SERS™) 4Team. This cutting-edge simulator offers a significant leap forward in training maritime engineers, addressing critical challenges and aligning with contemporary industry standards.

The SERS™ 4Team distinguishes itself through its robust capabilities for both research and training, focusing on engine performance management within a collaborative teamwork environment. This emphasis on collaborative teamwork is crucial, reflecting the complex and interdependent nature of modern ship engine rooms. The simulator facilitates training in a full mission training configuration, allowing multiple trainees to interact within a virtual engine room environment, mirroring real-world operational dynamics. This approach directly addresses the need for effective communication, coordination, and shared decision-making in critical situations.

A key strength of the SERS™ 4Team lies in its ability to simulate a wide array of scenarios, including those with potentially catastrophic consequences. Notably, the simulator can recreate events leading to a blackout of the ship, a scenario of paramount concern in maritime safety. By allowing trainees to experience and respond to such high-stakes situations in a controlled environment, the SERS™ 4Team fosters crucial decision-making skills and enhances preparedness for real-world emergencies. This focus on critical scenarios directly supports the development of competencies outlined in the IMO STCW 2010 Convention, ensuring that trainees are equipped to handle complex and challenging operational conditions.

Furthermore, the SERS™ 4Team is designed with cost-effectiveness in mind. By providing a virtual training environment, the simulator reduces the reliance on expensive and potentially hazardous onboard training, offering a more sustainable and accessible approach to maritime education. This cost-effectiveness does not compromise the quality of training; on the contrary, the simulator offers a controlled and repeatable learning experience, allowing trainees to practice complex procedures and respond to critical scenarios multiple times, enhancing their understanding and proficiency.

The simulator’s design explicitly incorporates exercises and scenarios derived from the IMO Model Course 2.07, ensuring that training aligns with internationally recognized standards for marine engineering education. This alignment underscores the simulator’s commitment to delivering high-quality, standardized training that meets the evolving demands of the maritime industry. By integrating the principles of Collaborative Teamwork within a Full Mission Training Configuration, and by addressing critical scenarios such as ship blackouts, the SERS™ 4Team offers a powerful tool for optimizing maritime engineering training and enhancing maritime safety, fully supporting the development of IMO STCW 2010 Competencies. This innovative approach to training promises to significantly contribute to the development of competent and resilient maritime engineers.

Download the Full Proceedings: IMLA 2024 Conference Proceedings held between 25-28 September 2025, Istanbul, Turkey:

Proceedings-of-IMLA-29
Engine Room Simulator (ERS), Marine Engineering Training, Maritime Simulation, IMO STCW 2010 Standards for Training and Certification of Watchkeeping, Model Course 2.07 (2017 Ed.), Ship Electrical Systems, Full Mission, Assessment, Evaluation, Root-Cause Analysis, Troubleshooting, Performance, Operational Level, Management Level, Energy Efficiency, Online Training
Training on MIL-STD-810H Environmental Testing of Products, provided by GDS Engineering R&D, Systems Engineering Products and Solutions Online Training on MIL-STD-810H, RTCA-DO-160, MIL-STD-461G, MIL-STD-704 Environmental Testing of Products, provided by GDS Engineering R&D, Systems Engineering Products and Solutions. Training Led by a Live US-based Sr. Instructor: Dr. Ismail Cicek. Product Verification and Validation Courses for Integrated Systems. C-17 Military Aicraft. FAA/EASA. US DoD. Safety First. US Army. US Air Force and US Navy Tailoring Examples for Mission and Environmental Profile. Setting Test Limits and Durations are Explained. How to evaluate test results and mitigate the risk (Risk Assessment Matrix). Aircafft Equipment, Devices, Plugs, Machinary, Engines, Compressors, or Carry-on. European CE Time Schedule. FAA Requirements Management. Efficient way of learning. Continues Education. Class Material.

Completed the Face-to-Face MIL-STD-810H Training at Cukurova Makina

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GDS Institute completed an in-class MIL-STD-810H Training session for CUKUROVA MAKINA (Tarsus7Mersin) personnel in September 2024, enhancing their understanding of the standard’s crucial methodologies. This training is essential in environmental testing, ensuring systems and equipment's reliability, durability, and safety under demanding conditions, particularly for military and aerospace applications.

MIL-STD-810H Training: A Necessity for Robust Design

GDS Engineering R&D, Inc. provides comprehensive training on MIL-STD-810H, a critical standard for ensuring the environmental durability and reliability of military and commercial systems. This standard defines testing procedures that simulate various environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, humidity, shock, and vibration.

GDS's training program equips engineers and technicians with the knowledge and skills to apply MIL-STD-810H effectively. Participants gain a deep understanding of the standard's methodologies, including developing Life Cycle Environmental Profiles (LCEPs) and tailoring test procedures to specific operational requirements. The training covers all major environmental factors the standard addresses, focusing on practical application and test design.   

By attending GDS's MIL-STD-810H training, professionals can enhance their ability to design, develop, and test systems that can withstand the rigors of real-world deployment. This leads to improved product reliability, reduced risk of failure, and increased customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the training helps organizations meet their contractual obligations and regulatory requirements related to environmental testing.   

GDS Engineering R&D, Inc.'s MIL-STD-810H training is a valuable resource for any organization designing, developing, or testing systems for harsh environments. It empowers professionals to implement robust testing programs that ensure product durability and performance, contributing to mission success and overall operational effectiveness.

Training on MIL-STD-810H Environmental Testing of Products, provided by GDS Engineering R&D, Systems Engineering Products and Solutions Online Training on MIL-STD-810H, RTCA-DO-160, MIL-STD-461G, MIL-STD-704 Environmental Testing of Products, provided by GDS Engineering R&D, Systems Engineering Products and Solutions. Training Led by a Live US-based Sr. Instructor: Dr. Ismail Cicek. Product Verification and Validation Courses for Integrated Systems. C-17 Military Aicraft. FAA/EASA. US DoD. Safety First. US Army. US Air Force and US Navy Tailoring Examples for Mission and Environmental Profile. Setting Test Limits and Durations are Explained. How to evaluate test results and mitigate the risk (Risk Assessment Matrix). Aircafft Equipment, Devices, Plugs, Machinary, Engines, Compressors, or Carry-on. European CE Time Schedule. FAA Requirements Management. Efficient way of learning. Continues Education. Class Material.