Vallejo's California Maritime Academy to ride wave of future massive cargo ships

As the tide turns and container ships get ever-larger, California Maritime Academy likely will be at the helm in training crews to maneuver the massive vessels in and out of California ports, several officials said Thursday.

The Vallejo Cal Maritime played a big role in the docking of the largest container ship ever to call any seaport in North America -- the MSC Fabiola at the Port of Oakland.

Operated by the world's second-largest shipping company, Mediterranean Shipping Company, the massive ship arrived Wednesday night at Oakland's international container terminal.

The ship is almost a quarter-mile long and can hold more than 6,000 average-size containers.

For nearly a year since the Port of Oakland notified maritime officials of the ship's arrival, Cal Maritime alumni, staff and its simulator have had significant input into its docking, said Vic Schisler, a longtime maritime expert who oversaw the training.

"The Port of Oakland went to the pilots who said they want to bring these ships in and the pilots said they want to see the simulation and that's where it led to Cal Maritime," Schisler said.

Outfitted with high tech computers and other equipment, the simulator can virtually duplicate any situation at sea or in port, anywhere in the world.

Due to the ship's size, however, there was no model in the simulator's database and Cal Maritime had to get a special one built so the crew could train.

During the five-day training sessions,

crew members "piloted" a ship with the Fabiola's measurements in the simulator under a myriad of different conditions, and using different types and combination of tug boats, Schisler said.

When it came time for the real thing, 1983 Cal Maritime alum John Carlier of the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association was on board as the first pilot.

He boarded the ship about 11 miles outside of the Golden Gate Bridge, took over the control room and, with his crew, steered it into Oakland, he said.

"It went well. There was a lot of anticipation and what-not. It definitely took a lot to slow it down," Carlier said. "You could definitely feel the weight" of the ship, he said, adding that he used tugs to control and slow speed.

"It was definitely a tight fit into Oakland," Carlier added.

While the Fabiola caused a big splash for its size, it will, by no means, be the last of its kind.

Both Carlier and Schisler predict that ships as large, if not larger, will carry cargo at less expensive prices.

"They can move more cargo and expend less fuel," Carlier said.

However, Schisler said maintaining and maneuvering ships of such enormous size and weight will take more research and training to ensure everything goes safely.

Contact staff writer Sarah Rohrs at srohrs@timesheraldonline.com or (707) 553-6832.

Source: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_20238458/vallejos-california-maritime-academy-ride-wave-future-massive?source=rss_viewed

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