Shuttle tankers have revolutionized the oil transportation as they made pipelines from offshore oilfields obsolete. At the same time, it requires particular expertise to handle a shuttle tanker. Such skills and knowledge are gained with the help of Offshore Loading Simulator. Training set consists of 4 courses.

The Offshore Loading Phase 1 course is designed to encourage trainees to use all shuttle tanker navigation devices i.e. DP system, tunnel, Azimuth thrusters; propulsion and maneuvering systems for safe work in close proximity to offshore installations. Participants are given useful tips regarding berthing/unberthing under different wind, tide and sea-current conditions with and without help of tugs.

Within 12 consequent months Offshore Loading Phase 2 course should be attended. This training concentrates on shuttle tanker’s DP system, its operation under various weather conditions and faults; up to the loss of position reference systems, thruster or sensor failures. Course also familiarizes with different Oil Companies and oil fields manuals and overviews position reference systems.

In the center of Offshore Loading Phase 3 course is safety. Training includes elements of Maritime Recourse Management to facilitate teamwork on shuttle tanker; negative incidents during offshore loading are analyzed to prevent manmade accidents in future. Also, students study existing position reference systems, procedures relating to particular oilfields and DP checklists, etc. Phase 3 course should be taken within 2 years after phase 2. There is a theoretical and simulator assessment at the end of the training.

The Offshore Loading Phase 4 is field or system oriented. It includes detailed analysis of operations on such well-known oil fields as Goliant, South Arne, Cascade / Chinook and others. Simulator training will include reconstructions of shuttle tanker DP incidents. Course may include some theoretical assessment.