Training simulatorThe future of training With lives at risk at sea, the RNLI takes its training very seriously, but serious training doesn't have to be dull or old-fashionedImagine you're out on a shout in storm force conditions. You're at the helm of an all-weather lifeboat racing to save a yacht that is sinking in the Irish Sea. It's dark and there's heavy rain in gale force conditions. The lives of the three men on the yacht are at risk. As the wind howls and the waves crash, you can hardly hear yourself think. You spot the casualty to starboard. Two of the crew are already in the water. It's up to you to decide how to save them. What do you do next? Can it be real? It looks real, sounds real and feels real. But there are no lives at risk and you're not in the Irish Sea.

You're safe on dry land in the lifeboat training college at Poole. You're in a state-of-the-art full mission simulator, developed by the RNLI.

Billy Bean, the Simulation Manager, is currently working with Transas, a well established developer and supplier of marine software solutions, to develop this new training tool. It is like the commercial and military aircraft simulators, but for an all-weather lifeboat. The interactive simulator sounds great fun, but Billy stresses: 'This is no computer game.' The simulator will train crews in the areas of search and rescue and navigation. The simulator will not aim to train people in boat handling. As Billy says, 'We teach people to drive boats in boats.' The aim is to get the experience in the wheelhouse as close to reality as possible, to convince those training that they are actually there.

In the development of the simulator the RNLI is striving hard to ensure the unique environment of maritime search and rescue operations is accurately captured. Instead of building a simulator for just one crew member, the Institution is creating a structure with the capability of training a dozen crew at one time. The simulator comprises four main sections: the wheelhouse, upper steering position, instructor room and PC rooms. See the full simulator diagram opposite.

The wheelhouse As in real-life situations, there are four crew members: helm, coxswain, navigator and radio operator/mechanic. To the front and sides there's a 240 degree wraparound screen from floor to ceiling. The graphics, developed by the Russian company Transas, are fantastic. You will believe that you are in the Irish Sea with a yacht is sinking to your left. The equipment is just like the interior of a modern lifeboat, with radar and electronic charting systems.

There's a bird's eye view screen for the coxswain - for bearings and visual navigation and a view astern from a large screen behind. Sound corresponds precisely with the action - you even get the sound of the engine and vibration from the sub-woofas under the floor. Billy warns: 'It can make you sea sick.1 Upper steering position To make the experience as real as possible, there is also an option of the upper steering position. If the crew need to get a clearer view, they can leave the wheelhouse and move to another section of the simulator.The visual horizon will be adjusted and there's a helm, throttle, radar and laser plotting facility. Just like on an all-weather boat, the crew member will be able to communicate with the wheelhouse from the upper steering position.

Instructor control The instructor aims to broaden the crew's thinking, so that they're ready for anything when they're out on a shout.

Sophisticated software enables the instructor to control the exercise from anearby room, choosing what happens when and where. He can adjust the weather, the sea state, the light, snow, wind, tidal stream. The lifeboat crew have to adapt to whatever the instructor throws at them. The casualty can vary from one man overboard to a supertanker sinking in high density shipping areas.

The instructor can suddenly decide that the crew lose radar, or that their rudder jams.

Billy emphasises that the experience should be a positive one for those being trained. The technology enables the instructor to ease off the conditions if the crew are struggling, or even pause the program if things are not going well.

Equally, if things are going well, he can stop the program, pop next door and highlight key learning points.

The instructor room also has a debriefing facility, with a screen and seating area. After the training, he can talk through what the crew did right and what can be improved. The session is always recorded, so the instructor can play back the action on a large screen. As if on a real shout, the crew must follow the Rule of the Road (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea - IRPCS). The program makes an automatic record of when the crew break the IRPCS. There's a print out of the errors to go through after exercise, so they can get the most effective feedback possible.

PC rooms In the simulator there are also two rooms with four PCs in each one, also controlled by the instructor. It creates a networked learning centre, with the possibility of having four boats involved in the mission: one in each of the PC rooms, one in the instructor station and the full mission simulator. Each PC room has the following facilities: radio and radar operations, IRPCS and electronic charting. There is radio communication between all the boats and the instructor. The lifeboats involved could be different classes, but the core principles of search and rescue and navigation stay the same.

When a simple version of the simulator appeared at the London Boatshow in January 2003, hundreds of people flocked to the RNLI stand. The Boatshow simulator comprised the bridge and only three screens, but it was a real hit at the show. It was described in the press as 'a real show-stopper' and Princess Anne honoured the stand with a visit.

Alongside the full working model there will be a special version created for the new Visitor Experience at Poole.You will be able to experience the drama of a rescue for yourself in an interactive simulation environment. Judging by the interest shown at the Boatshow, the small simulator will be a very popular attraction at the Visitor Experience, but the serious training will be going on at the college.

The full mission simulator will provide invaluable hands-on experience for thousands of volunteers. One of the best things about it is that it enables the RNLI to test the crew's ability without compromising their safety. As Billy says: 'The full mission simulator can create far more dire circumstances that you'd ever wish they'd encounter on a real service.' As you might guess, this state-of-theart specialised technology does not come cheap. The simulator is a large investment, but it is estimated that the money saved will be recouped within 2V; to 3 years.

It will reduce the number of training launches for the real lifeboats, which cost £5,000 each time, so there will be a huge saving in the long term.

Work started on the simulator in 2001, and the full simulator should be ready when the Lifeboat College opens in mid 2004. In the meantime, there will be an interim simulator at Poole from summer 2003. The temporary simulator will provide training until the full simulator is ready. It can act as a test run, highlighting any improvements needed, so that the full mission simulator achieves its maximum training value.

Work doesn't stop in summer 2004.

Any developments in the lifeboats technology will be reflected in the simulator parts, so that when lifeboatmen are out on a shout for real, they will be ready for anything.The simulator is a perfect illustration of how the RNLI is improving training across the board. It is part of the Institution's aim to develop highly trained volunteers and to encourage an positive attitude change towards a learning culture at the RNLI. The simulator will be used for competency based training (CoBT) for the crew. CoBT is based on outcomes and the demonstrated ability of the crew to perform required tasks.

The Institution is working on various other practical and forward-thinking schemes to become more versatile in the delivery of training. The RNLI encourages distance learning and is using technology to take training to the coast. The forthcoming intranet, Porthole, will enable crew to download training at the stations. Online support and interactive CD-ROMs (covering areas such as sea survival and fire protection) will allow crew to train when and where they choose.

'The college is more than somewhere you go for a training course. It will be a place where all members of the RNLI family will be welcomed.' Sue Hennessy Lifeboat College principal The Lifeboat College and Survival Building that will house the simulator among other things is proof that the RNLI is committed to making significant improvements to the current delivery of training to crew, volunteers and staff. Many people will benefit hugely from coming to Poole for training, but as Sue Hennessy, the Lifeboat College principal says: 'The college is more than somewhere you go for a training course1. It's not just for those who make the journey to Poole. The facility will support distance learning activities with a fantastic learning resources centre for crew, volunteers and staff.

As well as meeting internal training and development needs, the college will also drive down costs. One of the main savings will come from the new accommodation - 60 bedrooms, as the need for external residential costs will be significantly reduced. It is predicted that training RNLI volunteers will use around 75% of the college's capacity. Although the college is not being built in order to make money, this spare capacity can be used to generate money for the RNLI. While the emphasis is firmly on the RNLI's own needs, Sue Hennessy is keen to develop: 'A careful use of resources'. The college will be a 24/7 establishment that hopes to attract the following groups: • Lifesaving or search and rescue organisations • Other not-for-profit organisations • Local organisations and local companies • Companies As well as financial advantages, there will also be advantages across the whole organisation.The college gives the RNLI the opportunity to coordinate training across different groups. Experienced volunteers and staff will support existing trainers. As Sue says, you'll get crew, fundraisers, water safety volunteers from different regions: 'under one roof in a cost efficient and effective way'.

While the training simulator is attracting a lot of attention, the more low-tech facilities will be just as popular. The bar, along with the restaurant and gym will attract a variety of people. Those attending the college will mix with current and retired staff, and retired volunteers.

Several organisations and companies have already shown interest in using the mission simulator and the other facilities for training purposes (like the Maritime Coastguard Agency, St John Ambulance, International Lifeboat Federation members).

Sue Hennessy foresees that: 'It will be a fine centre in which our own people can train, learn and exchange experiences with colleagues and friends, while having the opportunity to meet and work with people from other organisations who share a concern to save lives.' With people from outside the RNLI coming in, the college gives the Institution a great opportunity to reflect outstanding service and to strengthen the supporter base. The RNLI will resist the temptation to make overt appeals for cash from visitors.

Instead, the approach will be more subtle.

Things like the quality of the training, the service, the enthusiasm of staff and the surroundings will reflect a forward-thinking quality organisation. Whether they are current crew, volunteers, fundraisers or non- RNLI people who know very little about the lifeboat service, the college aims to: 'Make people belong'. Sue hopes everybody will: 'Walk away thinking the RNLI is a fine organisation and well worthy of support.'.