A training simulator for drone pilots

DRONES IN THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY
Drones are playing a greater role in the shipping industry assisting surveyors with the inspection of enclosed spaces in vessels. Global Drone Inspection (GDI) and DEKC Maritime (DEKC) developed a drone simulator which can be used to train the basic flight skills and carry out basic and advanced inspections in a safe environment. The simulator even includes the option to integrate a custom-built 3D environment and train pilots before they carry out the actual inspection flight

David Knukkel, CEO of Global Drone Inspection

TRAINING AND EXAMINATION OF PILOTS
David Knukkel, CEO of GDI: “Training and examination of pilots is an ongoing process for each drone inspection company. It is required to reach and keep a certain quality standard to reduce the risk of incidents, accidents and/or wrong inspections which can have high consequences when conclusions are based on bad video and photo footage.”

In the earlier days everyone who could afford bought a drone and offered inspections to different clients in various industries. Many pilots had a lack of flight skills, safety training, knowledge of assets which needed inspections and chose the wrong equipment, not suitable for the job. Many inspections lead to disappointments of the industry and reluctance to use the technology again.

Fortunately, over time many things changed. The quality of equipment improved, and more strict regulation came into force to ensure a safe working environment and a proper inspection. Especially in the Maritime Industry classification societies demand that approved service suppliers not only have to take care of the flight skills of the pilot, but also have knowledge of the assets.

Advanced exercise Forepeak

TRAIN FLIGHT AND INSPECITON SKILLS IN A SIMULATOR WITH 3D MODELS
For service suppliers finding and training of skilled pilots is always a challenge as there is not always an asset available. And sometimes it is extremely difficult to prepare a flight plan in advance based on the available information and must be developed based on risk assessments carried out on site.

In 2019 DEKC and GDI found each other with the plan to develop a simulator with 3D models, where pilots can train their flight and inspection skills, and learn how to deal with stress levels when batteries are nearly empty while still flying inside an asset. In 2020 the simulator was ready for internal use. To increase the pool of skilled pilots GDI and DEKC developed the user interface between the simulator and an online licensing system.

The licences consist of three options, which are Basic Training, Advanced Training, and Custom Scenarios. The custom scenarios can also be created for just a specific area. Cor Lettenga, CEO of DEKC: “For one client we developed a storage tank and for another we developed the underwater area of a vessel (for ROV-inspections).” The opportunities of this option are endless.

Global Drone Inspection uses the simulator for internal training of their pilots and future service stations. Selling the licences will increase the amount of skilled and qualified pilots, which eventually will be a benefit for the entire industry, including the service providers themselves.

FREE PLAY FLIGHT The software can now be downloaded for free online with a free play flight

Global Drone Inspection: performs worldwide surveys on your assets with this century’s most forward technology: drones. Not only do we get to play with drones every day, we provide you with reliable information on maintenance needed for your asset. Whether you’re working on a ship, in the oil and gas industry, or infra and steel industry: we know just how to support the quality of your services. Our experienced team goes above and beyond to inspect your assets under the surface, in the air and even in confined spaces website.

DEKC Maritime: offers concept design, basic design, and detail engineering for newbuild vessels as well as operational support during the lifetime of a vessel. DEKC assists with modifications and mobilizations; and they provide project-specific engineering. Specialists in naval architecture, structural design, mechanical engineering and detail engineering, and able to help with every idea or challenge website.

Collaboration Groot Ship Design and DEKC Maritime

Groot Ship Design acquired by NIMBUS

Nimbus hands-on investor has taken over the shares of Groot Ship Design Leek and Groot Ship Design Poland from Bart Groot. Nimbus is pleased to attract an international leading design agency that is at the forefront of cargo ship development. With the market for seagoing multi-purpose cargo vessels picking up and the growing demand for new efficient and "clean" low emission ships, the expectations for the future are positive. Bart Groot, founder and owner of the company, will remain part of the company in the role of designer and advisor. The take-over gives Bart more room to do what he likes doing best: designing ships.

Collaboration Groot Ship Design and DEKC Maritime

The acquisition of Groot Ship Design by Nimbus, also shareholder and owner of DEKC Maritime, creates the opportunity for both companies to work together. Groot Ship Design and DEKC complement each other well. In recent years, DEKC Maritime has mainly focused on the offshore (wind), dredging and operational market, while Groot Ship Design is the leading player in designing coasters and cargo ships. The companies will look for synergy at the interfaces of technology and organisation. The aim is to learn from each other, use each other's capacity and ultimately offer customers better and more efficient solutions and designs. Both companies will continue to operate autonomously and to serve their own markets.

DEKC signs Jones Act partnership with US based Green Shipping Line

Fair Haven, New Jersey (June 9, 2021) – Furthering its support of the emerging offshore wind industry in the United States, Green Shipping Line (GSL) is pleased to announce it has signed a Teaming Agreement with leading European marine vessel engineer DEKC Maritime (DEKC) to pursue Jones Act compliant offshore wind vessel solutions in the United States.

 

GSL has been creating a viable solution for the U.S. offshore wind market for six years and has amassed a team of leading European and American partners to assist the U.S. in realizing its offshore wind goals. This announcement follows a string of deals by GSL, including an agreement with Keystone Shipping Company to operate future shuttle vessels in the U.S. offshore wind market and a Teaming Agreement with Moran Iron Works to construct future vessels.

 

“DEKC's extensive knowledge and capabilities provide GSL with an ideal partner to design our fleet of modern Jones Act feeder vessels, including our flagship Eleanor model” said Percy R. Pyne IV, founding partner of GSL. “This agreement furthers our ability to provide efficient, proven, green solutions for offshore wind developers and component manufacturers in the U.S.”

 

DEKC Maritime, headquartered in Groningen, Netherlands, is a leader in design and engineering for new build vessels during the vessel’s lifetime. The company has designed a multi-purpose vessel known as the ‘swiss army knife’ vessel of the offshore wind industry in Europe for its extreme versatility and durability. GSL’s multi-purpose cargo vessel – the “Eleanor” model – will complement DEKC’s trusted European offshore wind vessel, which is widely used today. With an approval in principle from the American Bureau of Shipping, GSL’s “Eleanor” model is highly efficient with the ability to transport offshore wind components (towers, nacelles and blades) from a port to installation sites in a two-day cycle, cutting down on costs and production time by over 40 percent. In fact, it will be the first vessel of its kind in the U.S. capable of transporting all of the components of a wind tower.

 

The 364-ft multipurpose vessel can also be configured to perform rock dumping, scour protection, and offshore accommodation. Fully Jones Act compliant, the “Eleanor” will be built in the U.S. at the Moran Iron Works Shipyard in Onaway Michigan and operated by Keystone Shipping Company. It will be flagged American and manned by an American crew and can operate out of all the regional ports along the Unites States’ East Coast due to its unique dimensions and draft. The Eleanor model will be available for delivery as soon as mid-2023.

 

“We look forward to sharing our knowledge and expertise with GSL and helping develop their fleet. Our aim is to take the experience we have gathered over the past decade in offshore wind and utilize it to provide the best vessels and solutions for the emerging U.S. offshore wind market,” said Cor Lettenga, Managing Director of DEKC Maritime.

 

“We are honored to be working with DEKC Maritime and the rest of our talented team of professionals including: Voith, Cranemaster, Moran Iron Works, Keystone Shipping, and Navis Naval Management and Consultancy on bringing a tried-and-true Jones Act compliant solution to support U.S. offshore wind industry,” added Pyne. “Our standards follow what our European partners have established. Using their vast experience as our roadmap, our international team will help the U.S. realize its offshore wind goals,” he added.

 

GSL, headquartered in New Jersey, is focused on facilitating the economic construction of modern, fuel-efficient Jones Act vessels. GSL’s feeder vessels will provide the offshore wind industry a unique, economic multi-purpose solution, which can be used throughout the life cycle of an offshore wind installation. Following an extensive study that included examining U.S. and European ports, channels and quays and multiple visits to Europe to look at wind farm components, GSL identified an existing vessel design that would not require dredging to accommodate U.S. ports or manufacturing needs. For more information on Green Shipping Line, please visit www.greenshippingline.com.

A NEW GENERATION OF GENERAL CARGO VESSELS

With an aging short-sea and general cargo fleet, and new rules and legislation pushing for a more sustainable and greener industry it is time to reconsider traditional designs and make our new vessels future proof. The main challenge of our current and future designs lies in the ever increasing speed of technological development and innovation. How can we design a vessel today that will be able to adapt to future developments?

Often vessels are built for a lifespan of approximately 20 years or more and, although many elements onboard can be changed, the backbone of the vessel: her hull shape will remain mostly the same. It is for this reason that optimizing the vessels hull shape in an early stage of the design process will pay itself back during her operational life span. At DEKC a lot of effort has gone in to utilizing parametric hull optimization; a method of determining the most optimal hull shape based on pre-set parameters by using numerical computer models and running the results through a digital basin in our CFD software. In most cases, the optimum hull shape will cause minimal resistance through the water and thus minimal fuel consumption, increasing the vessels performance by 20%.

Optimization of new designs does not stop at the hull of the vessel; new insights and design tools allow us to optimize the holds for specific trades or increase deadweight without compromising on other aspects of the design. It is about optimizing a vessel for her intended trade and route, taking new norms and regulations in to account and creating the most efficient and effective vessel for the owners, operators and crew.

Another topic to take in to consideration is the future of marine fuels. The industry knows that diesel will not last forever as the primary source of power on a ship, but no one knows exactly which direction to look for an alternative. At DEKC we are therefore developing a concept for a modular engine room, or power pack, that can easily be swapped out for a unit running on a different source of power. Weather it is hydrogen, ammonia or electricity; this way, a vessel designed today can start its life running on diesel, and once an alternative source of power is available the power pack can simply be swapped out for a new one.

All of the above-mentioned solutions come together in the latest General Cargo Designs. These in-house designed vessels are optimized for their specific trades and purposes, ranging from a highly functional and efficient workhorse the EcoTrader with 5200ton deadweight whilst remaining under 3000gt, to the FutureTrader with similar capacity and an additional modular and exchangeable powerpack/engine room. Other optimized designs range from 6000 ton to >8000ton deadweight.