Snake Robots: Can You Watch This Without Squirming?

by Administration | Apr 30, 2019 | News, Sports | 1 comment

Are you afraid of snakes? What about robots? What about snake robots?

Now here’s one of those new innovations in robotics that’s solving problems by combining two things that don’t quite seem to go together at first thought.

Today Ever Widening Circles will take you on a little journey of possibility when it comes to pure ingenuity.

Image: Snake robot

Source: Nico Zevallos and Chaohui Gong

Did you ever stop to ask yourself why most of us envision the human form when we think of the word “Robot?” What if the real potential of robotics lies with thinking outside that box? Here’s your introduction to snake robotics!

Having the flexibility and movements of a slithering reptile allows these robots to squeeze into spaces that their human-form, mechanical cousins, and we humans, haven’t been able to explore. They can do so much more! We will be able to identify structural problems in hidden places, perform minimally invasive surgery, and find survivors in fragile search and rescue missions (to name a few applications).

This impressive innovation, which obviously has adopted its looks from a little friend in nature, is just one incredible example of biomimicry; a growing field of science at the intersection of engineering, design, and biology.

Here’s a quick look from the awesome robotics channel, cmurobotics, at where we are going today…

https://youtu.be/8VLjDjXzTiU

WRITTEN BY LIESL ULRICH-VERDERBER

– everwideningcircles.com

Risk Assessment

Description

This course is in accordance with OHSAS 18001:1999, Resolution MSC 104(73) ISM Code, and SOLAS, 1974 as amended, Chapter XI-1. This includes principles of risk assessment, control measures, hazards and risks during ship operations, onboard safety drills, and the ALARP concept.

Duration

1 Day

Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork with Bridge Resource Management (IMO Model Course 1.22) - Full Course

Description

This course covers Regulations II/1, II/2 and VIII/2, Sections A-1/12, A-II/1, A-II/2, A-VIII/2, and B-VIII/2 Part 4-1 of the STCW 1978, as amended. This course provides comprehensive training and guidance for masters and officers-in-charge on safe navigational watch, collision regulations, passage planning, ship handling and maneuvering under various conditions, and responding to emergency situations.

Duration

5 Days

Engine Room Simulator with Engine Resource Management (IMO Model Course 2.07) - Full Course

Description

This course is in accordance with Table A-III/1 and Table A-III/2, and Regulation VIII/2 and STCW Code Chapter VIII Part 4-2 of STCW 1978, as amended. Furthermore, this course includes troubleshooting exercises and Engine Resource Management.

Duration

5 Days

MARPOL Environmental Compliance with Training in MARPOL Record Books

Description

This course covers relevant competence indicated in Table A-II/1 and A-III/1, A-II/2 and A-III/2 (Ensure compliance with pollution-prevention requirements). This is in accordance with Consolidated MARPOL 73/78 Annex I-VI including IMO’s Global Sulphur Limit.

Duration

2 Days for Senior Engine Officers

1 day for Junior Engine Officers

Ship Safety Officer

Description

This course is in accordance with IMO Model Course 3.11 and covers the relevant competences required in STCW 1978, as amended, Table A-II/2, and Table A-III/2. This also includes the MCA Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers. This focuses on the safety officer’s role in the areas of basic safety concepts, and safety management. Additionally, the aims of the course are to expound the role of safety officer in accident prevention, investigation and reporting as well as in risk assessment procedures.

Duration

2 Days

Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork with Bridge Resource Management (IMO Model Course 1.22) - Full Course

Brief Description

This course covers Regulations II/1, II/2 and VIII/2, Sections A-1/12, A-II/1, A-II/2, A-VIII/2, and B-VIII/2 Part 4-1 of the STCW 1978, as amended. This course provides comprehensive training and guidance for masters and officers-in-charge on safe navigational watch, collision regulations, passage planning, ship handling and maneuvering under various conditions, and responding to emergency situations.

Duration:

5 Days

Shiphandling and Maneuvering - Full Course

Brief Description

This course covers Regulations II/1, II/2 and VIII/2, Sections A-1/12, A-II/1, A-II/2, A-VIII/2, and B-VIII/2 Part 4-1 of the STCW 1978, as amended. This course provides comprehensive training and guidance for masters and officers-in-charge on safe navigational watch, collision regulations, passage planning, ship handling and maneuvering under various conditions, and responding to emergency situations. It also covers Company/Industry Incident Reports and/or Near-Misses. It also incorporates a more effective application of the principles and practices of bridge teamwork and bridge resource management. This course is reinforced with best practices and the relevant regulations on safety of navigation, as well as the salient points that are to be taken into strict consideration while transiting in significant waterways including Dardanelles, Bosporus and Malacca Straits.

Duration:

5 Days

Collision Regulations - Full Course

Brief Description

This course provides intensive training on the COLREGS and IALA Buoyage System. This is reinforced with ship handling methods for safe maneuvering under various conditions correlative to the ship’s maneuvering characteristics. It also incorporates entering and leaving anchorage simulation exercises using a full-mission bridge simulator.

Duration:

2 Days

Cargo and Ballast Handling for Bulk Vessels

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with IMO Model Course 7.01 – Function 2, and IMO Resolution MSC 193 (79) Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes. It also incorporates cargo hold preparation, and safe cargo stowage and securing. It is reinforced with activities on cargo to load calculation, trim and stability computation, draft survey, stowage plan, and loading-discharging sequence.

Duration:

3 Days

Squat and UKC Calculations with Draft Measurement

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with SOLAS Chapter V Annex 25 – Guidance for Voyage Planning which provides guidance on the correct calculation and application of Ship’s Squat and UKC for safe navigation. It also incorporates NAABSA.

Duration:

1 Day

Shipboard Painting and Surface Preparation

Brief Description

This course covers competences in performing onboard coating maintenance, emphasizing surface preparation, to minimize the onset of corrosion and enhance the cosmetic appearance of the vessel. It incorporates information on the potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity and environmental) and how to work safely with the chemical product as stated in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

Duration:

2 Days

Comprehensive Passage Planning

Brief Description

This course covers the principles and techniques in planning as required by SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 34, the requirements prescribed by Section A-II/1, Section A-II/2, Section A-VIII/2, Part 2 of STCW 1978, as amended, and the guidelines and recommendations stated in IMO Resolution A.893(21) and the required company procedures.

Duration:

2 Days

Engine Room Simulator with Engine Resource Management - Refresher Course

Brief Description

This course is a refresher training in accordance with Table A-III/1 and Table A-III/2, and Regulation VIII/2 and STCW Code Chapter VIII Part 4-2 of STCW 1978, as amended. Furthermore, this course includes troubleshooting exercises and Engine Resource Management.

Duration:

2 Days

Promotion Training to Engine Ratings and Cadets

Brief Description

This course covers the competences required in Table A-III/4 and Table A-III/5 of the STCW 1978, as amended. This is a intensive training to prepare for the duties and responsibilities of and Engine Officer. It al includes the working principles of auxiliary machineries in the engine room and promoting safe working practices.

Duration:

2 Days

Fuel Management

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with Table A-III/2 of the STCW 1978, as amended, and MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14. It provides intensive training on marine fuel oils and quality trends, fuel management challenges, its technical and operational implications, bunkering procedures, and sampling analysis. It also covers petroleum services bunker alerts. It includes case studies concerning bunker quality and bunker quantity.

Duration:

1 Day

MARPOL Annex IV Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships

Brief Description

This course provides in-depth training on MARPOL 73/78 Annex IV Regulations including discharge of sewage and its exceptions. This is enhanced through activities in filling out the sewage record books.

Duration:

1/2 Day

Company Safety & Security Management System

Brief Description

This course focuses on the knowledge and proficiency of the officers and crew for the general vessels systems and applications procedures.

Duration:

5 Days for Officers (New-Hire)

3 Days for Officers (Ex-crew)

1 Day for Ratings

Maritime English

Brief Description

This course in in accordance with IMO Model Course 3.17, IMO SMCP, and SOLAS Regulation 14 Para. 4. It includes bridge-to-bridge, bridge-to-shore communications and interactions between the pilot and bridge watchkeeper. It gives emphasis on communication skills to promote confident speaking and effective exchange of information.

Duration:

1 Day

Ship Vetting

Brief Description

This course covers the OCIMF SIRE Programme and CDI Ship Inspection Process in preparation for the best vetting results. This includes pre and post vetting procedures, inspection protocols to carry out an effective assessment in preparation for vetting. It uses SIRE VIQ and CDI questionnaires as tools to measure and improve safety standards onboard.

Duration:

1 and 1/2 Days

MARPOL Environmental Compliance with Training in MARPOL Record Books

Brief Description

This course covers relevant competence indicated in Table A-II/1 and A-III/1, A-II/2 and A-III/2 (Ensure compliance with pollution-prevention requirements). This is in accordance with Consolidated MARPOL 73/78 Annex I-VI including IMO’s Global Sulphur Limit.

Duration:

2 Days for Senior Engine Officers

1 day for Junior Engine Officers

Maritime Resource Management

Brief Description

This course covers relevant competences in Table A-II/1, Table A-III/1, Table A-II/2 and A-III/2, and Table A-III/6 (Application of Leadership and Teamworking Skills) of the STCW 1978, as amended.

Duration:

3 Days

Risk Assessment

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with OHSAS 18001:1999, Resolution MSC 104(73) ISM Code, and SOLAS, 1974 as amended, Chapter XI-1. This includes principles of risk assessment, control measures, hazards and risks during ship operations, onboard safety drills, and the ALARP concept.

Duration:

1 Day

Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with IMO’s Code of the International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident. This provides comprehensive training on the investigations of marine incidents, and with thorough discussion on the M-SCAT Method.

Duration:

1 Day

MARPOL Annex V Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships

Brief Description

This course is a refresher training in accordance with MARPOL Annex V – Prevention of Pollution By Garbage from Ships and MEPC.277(70) Amendment to MARPOL Annex V. Filling-out of the Garbage Record Book Part 1 and Part 2 are included.

Duration:

1/2 Day

Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with IMO’s Code of the International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident. This course provides comprehensive training on the investigations of marine incidents, and with thorough discussion on the M-SCAT (Marine Systematic Cause Analysis Technique) Method.

Duration:

1 Day

MARPOL Annex V - Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships

Brief Description

This course is an intensive training in accordance with MARPOL Annex V – Prevention of Pollution By Garbage from Ships and MEPC.277(70) Amendment to MARPOL Annex V. This includes exercises on filling-out of the Garbage Record Book Part 1 and Part 2.

Duration:

1/2 Day

Cybersecurity and Social Media

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with ISO/IEC 27001 – Information Security Standard and MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3 – Guidelines on Maritime Cyber Risk Management. This course provides comprehensive discussion on the guidelines on cybersecurity onboard ships, including the company’s Internet, Social Media & Cybersecurity Policy and Procedures.

Duration:

1 Day (6 hours)

Kitchen Management, Sanitation and Housekeeping Services

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with ILO MESC/2013/9 Guidelines on the Training of Ships’ Cooks and MLC 2006 Regulation 3.2 Food and Catering. This course provides intensive training on the duties and responsibilities of galley staff in kitchen management including guidance on sanitation as part of safety culture.

Duration:

2 Days

Coach: Onboard Reporting Procedures

Brief Description

This course provides hands-on training by using the COACH Onboard System, understanding how the Vessel Reporting Tool works, Correct filling of forms, defining the right procedures prior sending the daily reports and reminders in utilizing the COACH reporting tool.

Duration:

1 Day

Dangerous, Hazardous and Harmful Cargoes (IMO Model Course 1.10)

Brief Description

This course discusses the mandates of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, to promote safety culture to the dangers associated with the exposure to, handling, carriage, storage, and transport of hazardous materials.

Duration:

4 Days

Shipboard Time Management

Brief Description

This course covers the requirements mandated in Section A-VIII/1, and guidance in Section B-VIII/1 of STCW 1978 as amended, while discussing Regulation 2.3 of the MLC on Hours of Work and Hours of Rest, and MSC/Circ. 1014 on Fatigue Mitigation and Management. This also tackles the company policy pertaining to work hours and rest hours.

Duration:

1 Day

Ballast Water Treatment and Ballast Water Management

Brief Description

This course provides training for officers to become familiar with ballast water treatment and management in compliance with IMO BWM Convention – IMO Resolution A.868 (20) and the applicable sections of the United States Vessel General Permit for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation Vessels (VGP).

Duration:

1 Day

Engine Room Simulator with Engine Resource Management (IMO Model Course 2.07) - Full Course

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with Table A-III/1 and Table A-III/2, and Regulation VIII/2 and STCW Code Chapter VIII Part 4-2 of STCW 1978, as amended. Furthermore, this course includes troubleshooting exercises and Engine Resource Management.

Duration:

5 Days

Backing and Filling

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with Regulation II/1, and II/2, Table A-II/1 (Ship maneuvering and handling) and Table A-II/2 (Maneuvering and handling a ship in all conditions) of the STCW 1978, as amended. This focuses on backing and filling exercises using a full-mission bridge simulator.

Duration:

1 Day

Bridge Resource Management

Brief Description

This course covers relevant competences in STCW 1978, as amended, Table A-II/1; Table A-II/2; and Sections A-VIII/2 and B-VIII/2 Part 4-1. It provides comprehensive training on effective application of the principles and practices of bridge resource management through effective leadership and management.

Duration:

1 Day

Promotion Training to Deck Officer

Brief Description

This course covers the competences required in STCW 1978, as amended, Table A-II/3. It is an intensive training on functioning as a deck officer, its duties and responsibilities, watchkeeping on bridge and at port, maintenance on deck, and safe working practices. It also incorporates COLREGS in ship handling through bridge simulation exercise.

Duration:

2 Days

Veslink

Brief Description

This course covers the competences required in creating noon reports and sequence of reporting using the Veslink program.

Duration:

4 hours

2020 'Global Sulphur Cap'

Brief Description

This course provides thorough discussion on the implementation of the 0.50% Sulphur limit that will enter into force on 01 January 2020 and the legal concerns associated with it. This covers the technical problems and solutions to old and new fuels, preparing Fuel Oil Non-Availability Report (FONAR), general requirements of ISO 8217: 2017, and the current industry and company updates.

Duration:

1 Day

Ship Safety Officer

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with IMO Model Course 3.11 and covers the relevant competences required in STCW 1978, as amended, Table A-II/2, and Table A-III/2. This also includes the MCA Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers. This focuses on the safety officer’s role in the areas of basic safety concepts, and safety management. Additionally, the aims of the course are to expound the role of safety officer in accident prevention, investigation and reporting as well as in risk assessment procedures.

Duration:

2 Days

Consolidated MARPOL I-VI

Brief Description

This course covers the pollution prevention regulations as stated in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the 1978 and 1997 Protocols in compliance with applicable requirements specified in Sections A-II/1, A-II/2, A-II/3, A-II/5, A-III/1, A-III/2 and A-III/3, A-III/5 and A-III/6 of the STCW 1978 as amended.

Duration:

5 Days

Vessel General Permit (VGP)

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with STCW 1978, as amended, Table A-II/2 and Table A-II/2, Monitor and control compliance with legislative requirements and measures to ensure safety of life at sea, security and the protection of the marine environment. This covers in-depth discussion on the requirements of 2013 VGP issued by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) under National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to regulate discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels trading in US waters. This thoroughly explains the effluent limitations and related requirements for specific discharge categories, including reporting/recordkeeping procedures.

Duration:

1 Day

Resilience and Facilitator Training

Brief Description

This course provides intensive discussion on resilience as a positive capacity of seafarers in dealing effectively with routine tasks and emergencies. It also focuses in guiding the seafarers to remain on their fight zone at all times, with strong sense of self to be able to survive from any challenges they face.

Duration:

2 Days

Cross Cultural Communication and Interpersonal Skills Training

Brief Description

This course is a guidance training for promoting appropriate and effective interpersonal relations and interactions onboard. This also includes understanding cross-cultural connections/interactions among officers and crew through cultural awareness of different nationalities. This covers relevant requirements of TMSA 3 to promote cross-cultural communications and interpersonal skills.

Duration:

2 Hours

Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork with Bridge Resource Management - Refresher Course

Brief Description

This course covers Regulations II/1, II/2 and VIII/2, Sections A-1/12, A-II/1, A-II/2, A-VIII/2, and B-VIII/2 Part 4-1 of the STCW 1978, as amended. This course provides comprehensive training and guidance for masters and officers-in-charge on safe navigational watch, collision regulations, passage planning, ship handling and maneuvering under various conditions, and responding to emergency situations.

Duration:

3 Days

Engine Resource Management

Brief Description

This course covers the relevant competences in Table A-III/1, Table A-III/2 pertaining to leadership, teamwork and managerial skills, Section A-VIII/2 and Section B-VIII/2 Part 4-2 of the STCW 1978, as amended.

Duration:

1 Day

Engine Resource Management

Brief Description

This course covers the relevant competences in Table A-III/1, Table A-III/2 pertaining to leadership, teamwork and managerial skills, Section A-VIII/2 and Section B-VIII/2 Part 4-2 of the STCW 1978, as amended.

Duration:

1 Day

Bridge Watchkeeping Duties

Brief Description

Duration:

1 Day

Leadership and Teamwork

Brief Description

This course is designed for an intensive training in the application of leadership and teamworking skills provisions for controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons onboard, as stated in Table A-II/1, A-III/1, and A-III/6 in the STCW 1978, as amended. This covers shipboard personnel management and training, tasks and workload management, effective resource management, and effective decision-making techniques.

Duration:

2 Days

Collision Regulations - Refresher Course

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with Table A-II/1 and Table A-II/2 of STCW 1978, as amended, and an intensive refresher training on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions At Sea, 1972. It is also reinforced with Safe Steering and Sailing simulation exercises.

Duration:

1 Day

Shiphandling and Maneuvering - Refresher Course

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with Regulation II/1, and II/2, Table A-II/1 and Table A-II/ of the STCW 1978, as amended. This course provides intensive training on ship handling methods for safe maneuvering under various conditions correlative to the ship’s maneuvering characteristics, with entering and leaving anchorage simulation exercises.

Duration:

1 Day

Shiphandling and Maneuvering with COLREGS

Brief Description

This course provides intensive training on the COLREGS and IALA Buoyage System. This is reinforced with ship handling methods for safe maneuvering under various conditions correlative to the ship’s maneuvering characteristics. It also incorporates entering and leaving anchorage simulation exercises using a full-mission bridge simulator.

Duration:

2 Days

Engine Room Simulator

Brief Description

This course is in accordance with Table A-III/1 and Table A-III/2, and Regulation VIII/2 and STCW Code Chapter VIII Part 4-2 of STCW 1978, as amended.

Duration:

3 Days

Conflict Management and Negotiation Skills

Brief Description

This course provides an intensive discussion on conflict management and negotiation skills to effectively resolve disagreements, and to create a positive working environment. It covers the different kinds and causes of conflicts, and the styles and ways of managing and resolving conflicts. It also includes the purpose, process, types and models of negotiation, the effective way of negotiating, and the different roles of ethics during negotiation.

Duration:

1 Day

Dry Bulk Ship Inspection and Assessment, with Port State Control Inspection

Brief Description

This course covers comprehensive discussion on the dry bulk ship inspection. This includes the use of Rightship Inspection and Assessment Report for Dry Cargo Ships (FOD06) 10 and ENEL Trade Bulk Questionnaire as tools to measure and improve safety standard. This covers the best practices to prepare the ship and respond accordingly to inspectors.

Duration:

2 Days

Risk Assessment, Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis

Brief Description

Topics covered in this training include: Principles of Risk Assessment, Different Risks and Hazards, Control Measures, Hazards and Risks During Deck and Engine Operations and Maintenance, Onboard Safety and Drills including Working and Rest Hours, Risk Management Process and ALARP Concept, Basics of Incidents and Investigations, Gathering and Preserving Data, Techniques Analyzing Data, Identifying Root Causes, Developing Recommendations, Completing the Investigation, M-SCAT and Company Specific Procedures for IIRCA.

Duration:

2 Days

Shipboard (Purchasing Module) Training - Vector

Brief Description

This course covers training in Vector Shipboard application system which allows the ship’s crew to submit and receive all relevant information required to be exchanged between the Ship and the Ofﬁce, so that to cover the entire needs of the company’s Enterprise Resource Management System (ERP), in line with the company’s ISM and/or ISO procedures.

Duration:

1 Day