Viking Cruises and the Simwave maritime simulation centre have concluded an intensive, multi-year, cooperation deal. In the 5,000-square-metre centre in Barendrecht, captains and officers from the river cruise division of the Swiss company, and candidates for those positions, will receive the best possible training for real-life situations and working with safety procedures.
The extensive training programme will be known as the 'Viking Maritime College'. In seven weeks, 220 captains from the river-cruise division complete a five-day training programme. 'Thanks to the cooperation with Simwave, we will be able to practice demanding day-to-day situations to increase the professional skills of our captains and officers’, says Jos Seinen, the Viking Cruises Nautical director.
Sustainable learning program
The program is tailored entirely to the specific requirements and procedures of Viking. It is created and introduced as a sustainable program, meaning that the first sessions form the base of a long term training cycle. ‘The inspiring learning-envrionment with state-of-the-art equipment, instructors and peers maximises the learning experience, adds Martin Gasser, the Learning & Development Director at Viking Cruises.
240 degrees
'We are very pleased that Viking Cruises has opted for Simwave', says Joost van Ree, the commercial director and co-founder of Simwave. ‘Our highly advanced range of simulators includes specific bridges for inland waterway vessels. These provide a 240-degree horizontal image on nine screens and delivers the student experience for Viking Maritime College very efficiently and realistically.'