Topic starter
10/04/2010 8:17 pm
Greetings From Covington ,
MPI , the Maritime Pilot Institute , located in Civingtron , La. has recently entered into a new phase of its training program for Pilots by creating and operateing a Manned Model Ship program . The idea is to teach Pilots and Pilot Apprentices the characteristics of ship handeling in a controlled and safe environment on scaled down ship models . MPI already has and operates a " State Of Art " , world class simulator that is used for training exercises that a number of both Pilot Associations and Towing Companies use to train on . The two ship models that are currently on site and are in use are on a 1/25 th. scale with respective scaled down propulsion and steering systems . These two ships are also equiped with bow thrusters and can accomodate up to five crew member/trainees at a time . What makes this program remarkeably different and more authentic from other manned model programs is the presense of water current . A few years ago I attended the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and took their manned model ship training course and although it was a very thorough and interesting course the one thing that it was sorely lacking in was the presense of water current and consequently how to deal with and how to navigate large and heavy draft ships in .
Now MPI has adressed this issue of a no current marine environment by training and operateing their scaled down vessels at different river stages and thus different amounts of current levels .
The future looks bright for MPI and a number of national and state Pilot Associations have signed long term contracts for the exclusive training of their Pilots and Apprentices .
Its also my understanding , that the next phase of this institute will be to build and to operate scaled manned model tug boats for the training of tug boat Captains as well . Imagine these two unique and different components of the marine industry working together for training purposes !!
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
10/04/2010 9:00 pm
How can I get a chance to come play with them????? That would let me cross off one more item on my bucket list.
Topic starter
10/04/2010 9:30 pm
Come Take A Ride !
Jim ,
Come take a ride at your convenience ! I am one of the Pilot Instructors at MPI and the next time you have an opportunity to come to the area please let me know and we'll go out for a cruise and you can even take the " Con " !!
For that matter if there is any one else that just might be intereste in doing the same , please consider this an open invitation to come and " Skipper " your own Super Tanker !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
Jim Reising;21047 wrote: How can I get a chance to come play with them????? That would let me cross off one more item on my bucket list.
11/04/2010 12:02 am
Ooooh, Ted, I think I'd like to do that, too! Just to show me how much I don't know.
Topic starter
11/04/2010 12:28 am
Hey , Bob !
Hey Bob ,
You know that you'd be more than welcome to come to both the MPI center where our simulator is housed and the ship model dock as well . In fact , I would really appreciat your input and suggestions on how we could improve it as well !
Looking forward to hearing back from you !
Sm ooth Sailing !
Ted
QUOTE=Bob Reynolds;21049]Ooooh, Ted, I think I'd like to do that, too! Just to show me how much I don't know.
11/04/2010 1:40 am
that sounds so fun.
What kind of experience do you have to have to try this course? The most I have ever piloted was a sea doo and a deck boat. I have this desire to pilot a large boat, and wonder just how hard it would be. That has to be the cats meow for learning to pilot the river system.
30/08/2010 4:54 pm
Dear Captain Davisson:
I am taking you up on your offer to pilot one of the manned ship models where you are an instructor.
I am a third mate with a second mate license and would very much value and enjoy the opportunity.
I live in New Orleans so the logistics would be easy.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Sarah L Hershberger
Topic starter
31/08/2010 7:03 pm
Welcome Aboard !
Sarah ,
First of all , " Welcome Aboard " ! Secondly , well sure your more than welcome to come to Covington and to check out the Scaled Manned Models and to see for yourself the advantages of performing the different exercises that we do with the model ships ! Trust me these manned models are so much more forgiving that the actual real ships that navigate the river . In my humble opinion , the hardest single hurdle with these manned models is to simply NOT think of them as toys but to think of them as ships and with all the contrary charactersitics that come with them ! You are also more than welcome to come ride a ship with me out on the Mississippi River and to see for yourself what we have to deal with and the issues we face out there on a daily basis .
Furthermore , it has been my observation that many , " Talk the Talk " but few actually " Walk the Walk " , when it comes to understanding and dealing with what it is actually like to live and work on the river !
If you'd care to contact me directly my e-mail adress is : [email protected] .
One other item I would like to clear with you is , I appreciate the professional courtesy but I do not need my ego massaged with the captain title and although I earned my stripes long ago , I would much rather have you and others just call me by my name ! Thanks so much and looking forward to hearing from you !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
Sarah Hershberger;22911 wrote: Dear Captain Davisson:
I am taking you up on your offer to pilot one of the manned ship models where you are an instructor.
I am a third mate with a second mate license and would very much value and enjoy the opportunity.
I live in New Orleans so the logistics would be easy.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Sarah L Hershberger
07/07/2012 2:57 pm
hy sarah
ya comotus ta yo etoy mubien pero pienso in ti las 24 horas derdia porfafor lla mame puedes 845)224-6816 [email protected]
08/07/2012 6:05 am
Ted, just curious but what are the lengths of these models and can you give the approximate cost? There is a guy who built a similar model of a Navy Cruiser that is powered by an outboard engine. It has been offered for sale on several web sites bur I don't know if it was sold. It accommodates two people, I think and is quite impressive.
Thanks,
Jim Herron