The academy provides a risk-free environment where the users learn how to make real-time, complex manoeuvres safer and more efficiently. It also showcases simulations of MacGregor's products in action and demonstrates technical challenges.
"Virtual reality technology has improved dramatically in recent years," said director Advanced Offshore Solutions, Global Lifecycle Support at MacGregor, Geir Roland. "We can pass these advances on to our customers at our new facility and through portable training programmes."
"The simulation/training software we use has been developed by our experts and is based on their expertise and experience in the field. We believe this is unique on the market," he said.
VR training is particularly good for customers who have MacGregor equipment on board their vessels. "Customers can offer their crew fully-immersive training programmes, which are so much better than previous offerings," said training manager, Advanced Offshore Solutions, Jan Finckenhagen.
The VR showroom is divided into two zones comprising an authentic operating chair for offshore crane simulations and a zone where participants can walk around the simulated ship familiarising themselves with the safe operation of the equipment.
VR headsets offer extremely realistic 3D visualisation, allowing users to view very small details of an operation, as well as the wider picture. They are linked to large, wall-mounted screens to display exactly what the user sees. This is very useful for the instructor monitoring and guiding the training sessions and improves the effectiveness of the training process.
The company expects to train between 70 and 100 people at its new academy every year.