Deep water anchor handling simulation

The article elaborates on a previous paper presented at MARSIM 2009 (Bovens, ea.) and focuses on recent developments in the field of Deepwater Anchor Handling simulation. The circumstances surrounding the loss of the Bourbon Dolphin were used as a benchmark for development, involving a combined operation in 1200m deep water with one semi-submersible rig and two deep water anchor handlers, working in tandem on the same mooring leg. With the new developments, the simulation technology is again stretched to new boundaries providing high quality training value for deepwater offshore operations. Crucial elements that will be addressed in simulator training are ship modelling, real time vessel stability, sea-keeping, heavy (external) force modules, composite (catenary) anchor line systems together with line interaction and load sharing by use of J-hooks or grapnels, and/or Anchor Recovery Frame, animation and visualization technologies.