Resolve Maritime Academy and Royal Caribbean Cruises announced today that plans are underway for new simulation-based training programs to enhance safety at sea for the cruise line’s personnel and guests. 

In 2011, Royal Caribbean Cruises  selected Resolve to be their exclusive provider of all simulator-based training courses, and formalized arrangements to jointly develop the new programs.  Beginning the second quarter of 2012, the innovative training will be offered to personnel at three of RCL’s cruise brands – Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International – at Resolve’s new Simulation Training Center, currently in final stages of construction, adjacent to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  A leader in the maritime emergency response and safety training field, Resolve offers an array of simulation-based courses and live-burn firefighting, fast boat rescue and other safety training programs for cruise lines and all other sectors of the maritime industry.

Utilizing state-of-the-art simulation technology, Resolve Maritime Academy designed and developed the new Simulation Training Center, and  developed a suite of training programs specifically for Royal Caribbean. 

The new Center features a Det Norsk Veritas (DNV) Class A Full Mission Bridge Simulator, Electronic Chart Display & Information System (ECDIS) Classroom and Navigation Lab with a suite of “mini” bridges.  Courses offered will include:  Ship Handling; Bridge Resource Management (BRM); Operational Use of ECDIS; and RADAR/Automatic Radar Planning Aids (ARPA).  Customized programs also will be offered, including:  Integrated Bridge Systems (Sperry VisionMaster and NACOS Platinum); Dynamic Positioning Systems; and Communication &  Leadership Development for all ranks and employees. Future plans include an Engine Room Simulator which will be utilized for operational and Engine Resource Management (ERM) training.

“The brands of Royal Caribbean Cruises are regarded as leaders in innovative ship building, design and safety and strive to continually enhance the fleet’s navigation and safety systems by consistently introducing the latest in state-of-the-art technology,” said Captain William S. Wright, Senior Vice President Marine Operations, Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises.                       

“Through close collaboration with Resolve Marine Academy we have been able to design one of the most advanced ship simulators in the world,” said Celebrity Cruises Vice President, Marine Operations, Greg Purdy.  “In doing so, we have utilized the same state-of-the-art technologies that are found on our ships allowing us to create a world class and industry leading marine training environment that is tailored to our fleets.”

Resolve Maritime Academy Director Denise Johnston said, “Our new Simulation Training Center greatly expands the training opportunities for shipboard personnel worldwide.  In addition to standard bridge and engine room simulation courses, we will also offer training programs incorporating the use of bridge and engine room simulators with our Gray Manatee shipboard fire fighting training vessel/facility as well as Fast Rescue Boat and Hazwoper courses.  Our first priority at the Academy has always been to improve safety at sea, and these new programs will improve competencies and help build ‘teamwork’ attitudes and behaviors in a dynamic, 'real time' environment. The cruise industry has the best safety record in transportation. This new generation of highly effective training will result in even greater safety for cruise line personnel  and passengers, and all other sectors of the maritime industry.“