The National Maritime College Visit

On the evening of the 26^th of November, 29 members from our club visited The National Maritime College of Ireland, in Ringaskiddy.

We were shown around this fantastic facility by Ian Heffernan, George Radley and Luke Tassie.

First, we visited the "John Holland Library". John Holland was an Irish marine engineer who developed the first Submarine for the US Navy. This Library houses over 7500 books with many titles having a particular marine focus.

Then it was onto the Sea Survival pool. This pool can simulate all conditions at sea and where sea survival techniques are experienced. I am sure many of you have carried out the sea survival course here.

Next stop, the Chart Room. This room has a 360º view of the harbour where map reading along with other navigational aids are studied. The old ways are still taught but maybe not used as much.

Finally, the Bridge Simulator. This is an amazing piece of equipment which replicates the bridge of a ship, down to the wave motion. We were brought into Rotterdam port and conditions were changed to show how difficult it can be to take a big ship into port.

Outside this simulator are 12 small simulators in rooms where we were given the task of taking a container ship from Roches Point up to Spike Island. Well to say the least it was carnage!! Rocks, Yachts and even Roches Point were damaged in this exercise. This showed us that manoeuvring a large ship in the harbour is not easy with no options to change direction.

This was a great event, and I would like to thank Ian, George and Luke for their time in showing us this maritime facility on our doorstep.