Simulation Training for Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Operations: Addressing the Unique Problems of ‘Close-Alongside’ and ‘In-line’ Support for Multi-Streamer Seismic Survey Vessels Underway

Modern siesmic survey vessels in ‘production’, may tow twelve or more streamers, each of which can be six to eight kilometres long. Together with associated paravanes, tail-buoys and acoustic ‘guns’, the streamer spread width of such wide-tow configurations can extend to 1200 metres. The physical deploy-ment and recovery of such an extensive array is time-consuming and expensive. The entire survey operation requires the constant attendence of a suitable offshore support vessel (OSV) to act in the role of ‘chase ves-sel’, but more critically, to provide close replenishment support underway and, when required, rapid emer-gency towing assistance. While naval crews rightly claim a near monopoly on the skills-set necessary for underway replenishment, the naval RAS exercise almost never involves the supply and receiving vessels engaging ‘close-alongside’. The seismic/OSV replenishment operation, on the other hand, frequently necessitates such a demanding and stressful manoeuvre. This paper presents a training solution involving the use of a 360°full-mission bridge simulator.