{mprestriction ids="1,2"}The institutions will collaborate in maritime education, course offerings and research, including the development of a common technical platform based on Kongsberg simulators, with Kongsberg set to upgrade and extend the simulator capacity at the three training institutions.

At Lofoten Vocational School, an oil spill preparedness simulator will be installed. At Bodin Vocational School, Kongsberg will upgrade the fast craft vessel bridge with new hardware and a visual system in addition to delivering an aft bridge simulator with an integrated Dynamic Positioning simulator for DP2 training.

At Nord University, four new part task ship’s bridge simulators with visual scenes will be delivered, for crisis management education and training. A new resource surveillance system and a crisis management system is also included.

The simulator systems at all three training institutions will be integrated and used to form joint nautical and emergency management training across geographical locations, providing a unique platform for international cooperation in this field.

“It is important that the education and training institutions can interact to strengthen emergency education and maximise the use of advanced simulator systems,” said Odd Jarl Borch, professor at Nord University.

“The expansion of new simulator capabilities in the region meets demand for advanced training for government institutions, ship owners, oil & gas companies and other organisations operating, exploring and developing Polar waters.”

“Of special importance is the growing interest from the cruise and petroleum industry for the Arctic regions and the implementation of the Polar code. The Nord University is now initiating a new circumpolar education and research network on Arctic Safety and Security including twenty universities under the University of the Arctic umbrella. This will give us an excellent academic platform for further international cooperation.”{/mprestriction}