A Simulator Study of Deepwater Port Shiphandling and Navigation Problems in Poor Visibility.

The study used a ship's bridge simulator to investigate safety of navigation, the effect of navigation displays, and the effect of bridge personnel organization during low visibility approaches of a VLCC to a deepwater port complex. Experienced VLCC masters and mates, some team trained and team organized, performed over 90 simulated approaches to the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) using either radar, radar with added racons in the area an automatic radar plotting aid (ARPA), or an ARPA displaying fairway boundary lines. Three scenarios were examined: a landfall approach, coastwise approach, approach to pick up the mooring master, and a dead reckoning approach with degraded position information. Strategies which were chosen by the masters in their approaches are described in light of their effect on deepwater port safety. Conclusions derived from descriptive and statistical evidence of performance led to recommendations for relocating the mooring master pickup point, providing an anchorage for use by masters, and the placement and implementation of racons within the deepwater port area. Other recommendations advocate the use of special bridge procedures and navigation systems during port approaches, and further research into the effect of traffic separation or advisory schemes on deepwater port safety. Findings suggest that while approaches of VLCCs to an offshore deepwater port under conditions similar to those simulated are not deceptively difficult or inherently unsafe, there are opportunities to mitigate the potential for hazardous navigation and shiphandling problems. (Author)