Ship Handling Centre at Timsbury
The new Manned Model Ship Handling Centre at Timsbury will continue to provide first class training to the international shipping industry using various ship models, berths, basins and channels on the new lake. A variety of port scenarios, canal transits and berthing operations can be simulated for ships’ officers and pilots under training. Complex and potentially hazardous manoeuvres can be practised in complete safety in the manned models, making them a key training tool for the shipping industry.
Bringing 21st century maritime training to Timsbury Lake marks the beginning of a new chapter in Timsbury’s history. The 9th century lake has been a source of fish for the monks of Winchester, water to drive a medieval water mill and the haunt of carp anglers.
Safeguarding the ecology of the lake and its woodland surroundings will be a major element of the University’s project so that, as well as providing world leading maritime training, it will also continue to be a haven for wildlife and a local natural asset. The lake is approximately 10 acres in area with a maximum depth of 2 metres and a bottom of mainly soft mud. There are several islands, areas of shallow water and a tree covered shore line giving areas of shelter from the prevailing winds. Over 19 different jetties, (both fixed and floating), are placed around the lake giving at least 47 berths to permit a wide range of ship handling scenarios and also to meet different levels of experience and changing weather conditions.
Channels are buoyed on the lake to replicate critical bends and turns whilst there are a number of harbour areas and turning basins Moveable floating pontoons allow the quick construction of other harbours, training walls and jetties to suit customer requirements. A 4 mile long canal has been constructed at the NE end of the lake to allow for ship handling exercises involving interaction between ships, bank and shallow water effect. The canal has a 2 mile straight reach as well as a major curved section. The dimensions of the lake also permit ship to ship lightering, FSU, CBM and SBM exercises to be conducted. The lake provides a safe and controlled environment to practise and develop ship handling skills in a wide variety of vessels and conditions.
A number of new developments have added to the range of ship handling scenarios conducted on the lake. A second 1/25 scale radio controlled tug with steerable kort nozzles is now operational bringing the tug fleet to four. The other tugs are a Voith water tractor and an azimuth stern drive. A 1/25 scale jack up oil rig was launched in 2009 to enable rig moves to be practised on the lake. The model "Challenger” can now be converted to replicate a twin screw supply vessel fitted with twin bow thrusters.
The New Lake
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Timsbury Lake was acquired in 2009 as part of a £2.7 million investment plan to keep WMA at the forefront of maritime training – the acquisition comprises a 10 acre lake within a 20 acre site
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Design and development of the new Warsash Shiphandling Centre over recent months has integrated over 30 years of operating expertise to deliver a world-leading facility
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A variety of port scenarios, canal transits and berthing operations can be simulated for ship’s officers and pilots, using various ship models, berths, basins and channels on the new lake
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The first manned model shiphandling courses will be run at Timsbury Lake in early May 2011, with a formal industry launch to take place in June 2011.
For more information on the new lake, or to book a course at the new Timsbury Ship Handling Lake, please contact course administrator, Jackie Basford on +44 (0)1489 556 163 or email jackie.basford@solent.ac.uk|