Next stop is on the Naval base itself where we are treated to an introduction by Brett O'Toole to the inner workings of the Bridge Ship Simulation system. In essence this is where topography maps of islands and coastlines can be drawn from NASA maps available on the Internet and any number of ingredients can be added just to make the task of a helmsman all that harder. Existing structures like lighthouses, jetty's, wharfs, channel markers etc are put in and then some hazards like ferries, pleasure and fishing boats, barges, yachts, dinghies, divers and so on together with adverse weather, tides, and even night time are added just for good measure.
It takes about a year for one person to properly construct say a realistic simulation of Wellington harbour so its not the easiest job around.
Next it was onto the Bridge Simulation itself and we were treated to an actual in progress simulation of a NZ warship entering a harbour in rainy conditions with a decent swell running.
These simulators cost around $5m each however when you think a warship is a $500m plus purchase and contains say 150 sailors then if it only saved just one vessel in its lifeime then its paid for itself.
Very impressive and realistic simulation and we were most grateful for our Rotarian host Rear Admiral Jack Welch of the Rotary Club of Takapuna North for organising this rare opportunity for us.
Sorry no photographs of the simulator as these were not permitted however there are some of the reception we had with Captain Dean McDougall and the Canterbury alongside its naval berth for repairs.