TRAINING in fishing skills is key to reducing accidents in the fishing industry, according to electronics company Transas.

Its latest fishing simulator comprises an omni-directional sonar, fishfinding echosounder and a trawl controlling device. An interface provides all of the necessary information on fish shoals, depth, bottom obstacles and trawling parameters.

All of the simulator’s equipment is based on the latest sets from industry suppliers such as JRC, Furuno, Simrad and Scanmar.

Transas’ fishing simulator helps evaluate the knowledge of deck officers, trawlmasters and deck crews for obtaining appropriate licences; training fishing academy cadets, including vessel manoeuvring and handling acoustic devices; also refresher training for experienced fishermen before trips.

Exercises and training in different aspects of fishing operations are provided by a “realistic model of the trawl system; an advanced model of fish behaviour under the influence of the vessel, trawl and environmental conditions; and modern acoustic fishfinding and gear controlling devices.”

Trainees can practice trawling, longlining or purse seining in good or poor weather, including currents, waves and strong squally winds.

The simulator assists trawling and manoeuvring in the vicinity of other fishing ships; setting the trawl for the required horizon and keeping it steady, alongside calibrating and use of acoustic devices for detecting shoal position and depth.

Computer-based training is used for individual in-house or distance learning, equipment familiarisation, knowledge updates, self-examination and competence assessment.

Networked classes are intended for interactive group exercises under instructor supervision. The full mission simulator enables final training and certification.

The system simulates the behaviour of the trawl under environmental influences, such as currents and waves. The trawl can be calibrated by the trainee, who can set parameters for the trawl doors, trawl wires and the trawl depending on the object of an exercise and type of fish pursued.

Simulated fish shoals have a fear response to the vessel and trawl, the ability to speed up and run from the fishing gear, and also react to the acoustic equipment. Shoals can be set by the instructor with different variable parameters, such as standard and maximum speed, depth and routes with different depths on each leg.

Shoals can also consist of several groups, acting in response to fear in different ways. Depending on the training goals, a shoal can be presented as a relatively simple object and as an object which imitates real fish behaviour.

The instructor can not only adjust fish shoal behaviour, but fish shoal type and shape, shoal density and size; fear reaction and its response to such irritants as moving vessels and trawls. Birds above the water surface can be added to facilitate shoal detection.

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Realistic shoals with latest simulator