Greece: Brave Dophin Shakes the Waters of Maritime Training with VR

The Brave Dolphin project is implemented by the Greek company SQLearn. SQLearn is a Greek company that provides e-learning solutions and services to the shipping industry, with a focus on staff training to reduce risks. SQLearn is currently implementing the project Brave Dolphin funded by Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein under the EEA Grants Programme in Greece.

VR technology training on maritime risks

The Brave Dolphin project has developed four interactive training modules with VR technology. The training is addressed to the maritime industry, on high risk issues related to safety and industry best practices. The VR solution will simulate the most crucial emergency incidents that occur on board, and will enable seafarers to better engage with the required knowledge. The training tool is designed for crew members and emergencies that may occur on board of ships.

The VR application includes interactive scenarios which encourage the user to interact with and perform the necessary actions, offering an exciting and safe learning experience. The scenarios included were identified by experts and based on a risk analysis on crucial incidents that occur on board.

The incidents are identified by expert maritime consultants, who conducted a risk analysis on crucial incidents that occur on board, a pilot test and subsequent evaluation for the collection of information, improvements and adjustments together with maritime consultants from the maritime industry. Following feedback from by the experts, Blue Dolphin creates a beta version of the scenario, proceeds with final testing and finalises the version of the new scenario.

VR training scenarios

The project developed VR training scenarios that will assist the shipping crew to obtain the necessary knowledge on how to deal with emergencies. The training is conducted in a safe and particularly realistic virtual environment.

The VR training solution will simulate the most highest risk emergency incidents that occur on board, and will enable seafarers to better engage with the required knowledge and safety measures if the emergencies occur. The scenarios developed so far include:

• Fire in the Engine Control Room
• Emergency Power Generator
• Enclosed Space Fire Cabin
• Lifeboat Rescue

In thefirst scenario, on fire in the engine control room, SQLearn explain on their website that

"many engine room fires it has taken too long for a decision to release the fixed fire extinguishing system to be made, an average of more than 30 minutes since the fire has been discovered. Often that is much too long, because the fire may then have taken full control."

The Brave Dolphin project assists any shipping crew with knowledge on how to deal with such emergencies in a safe and particularly realistic virtual environment.

The Business Innovation Programme in Greece

The project is supported by Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein through the EEA Grants. See more opportunities under the Business Innovation Programme in Greece.