03 Feb 2022
What happens when a boat capsizes? You egress, of course! And that is exactly what the Underwater Egress Training Simulator (UETS), the latest system developed for the Police Coast Guard (PCG), is meant to help with!
Special Task Squadron (STS) officers from the PCG on board high-speed interceptor boats are trained to remove their gear as quickly as possible and swim out from the capsized structure safely in the event of emergencies. However, the flurry of activities combined with disorienting conditions underwater can make it hard to tell which way is up, causing such situations to be potentially life-threatening.
The UETS trains the officers on how best to exit their boats safely and efficiently. Designed and developed by DSTA in collaboration with the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX), the UETS provides a high-fidelity simulation and training experience to enhance the PCG’s operational proficiency.
As the overall project manager, our team of engineers led the design review to ensure system performance while optimising training workflows. The team also reviewed and tested the system to make sure it was safe and efficient to use.
We learn more from Project Manager (Simulation and Training Systems Hub) Uthayajeevan S/O Krishnanmurthi and Programme Manager (Naval Systems) Alvin Goh, who were part of the team that worked behind the scenes to conceptualise and deliver the UETS.
Tell us about your work. Why simulation and training?
Uthayajeevan: I’ve worked on naval systems and more recently, simulation and training systems. Simulation tech not only saves time and effort, it also injects a high degree of training realism by preparing its users for a wide range of realistic and complex operations.
Alvin: My project experiences include the acquisition of naval boats and various shipboard systems. Developing training and simulation systems is new to me, but it is becoming increasingly relevant in the projects we manage. Simulation tech enables us to work around space and resource constraints that are often faced in various operational scenarios. It also enables boat crew to practise and gain experience in a safe and controlled environment!
Explain to us how the UETS works!
Alvin: The UETS consists of a poolside lifting crane, a boat capsule, a wave ball and supporting monitoring and communication systems. Through the crane and an external pneumatic system – one that makes use of a compressor – the boat capsule, which mirrors an operational boat bridge, is dunked into a dive pool in controlled environments to simulate boat capsize.
Uthayajeevan: The wave ball is capable of simulating waves in order to mimic various sea state conditions. After officers have boarded the capsule, the wave ball is also lowered into the pool and secured in position using two elastic shackles to the pool walls. While the wave ball creates waves, the capsule is rotated to simulate actual capsize scenarios for the officers to perform egress drills.
What are some of its innovative features?
Uthayajeevan: Besides modelling the platform after the PCG’s boats, we also implemented a wave ball, which is capable of simulating waves in order to mimic various sea state conditions.
Alvin: The UETS has a live monitoring system that makes use of a series of surrounding and underwater cameras, which provide real-time updates of the training to ensure safety. The footage can also be played back in the classroom, which allows for analysis and error identification during post-training sessions.
How does the UETS enhance the PCG’s training?
Uthayajeevan: STS officers used to conduct their training either on external premises, or use a manual capsize simulator in the PCG pool. The UETS has provided the PCG with an alternative and effective means of training on their premises, while offering enhanced training realism.
Alvin: One of our key efforts was ensuring that training could be scaled up to enhance STS officers’ competencies gradually, and this was achieved by varying the wave sizes generated by the wave ball. This means that the crew can progress gradually from safer, slower capsize drills in a calm pool to a faster, hectic capsize simulation, which better reflects actual operational environments. In addition, a shallow water training aid was also delivered to allow STS officers to practise their drills in shallow waters before progressing to the UETS.
Were there obstacles along the way? How did the team overcome them?
Uthayajeevan: Due to COVID-19, we had to adapt quickly to changing conditions and overcome new challenges. When overseas vendors couldn’t come down to conduct tests and training, we worked around it by arranging for local expertise to be on-site and engaged the vendors remotely via video-conferencing instead.
Alvin: The UETS had to be installed and integrated with an existing second-storey dive pool. To achieve this, we collaborated closely with our colleagues from Building and Infrastructure Programme Centre to identify suitable locations for the UETS. This involved retrieving past construction drawings and reviewing existing space, weight loading and power constraints. Leveraging our mutual expertise, we scrutinised the UETS’ design and training workflow in order to optimise existing sites and minimise constraints. For instance, when some equipment had to be reshuffled near the PCG’s training classroom, we mitigated the excessive noise by implementing noise cancelling panels.
Lastly, share with us your personal key takeaways from the experience!
Uthayajeevan: I think one of the greatest benefits of working in DSTA is being able to pool everyone’s shared expertise, draw on one another’s strengths, and tap one another for in-depth technical knowledge. When you collaborate with a great team of engineers and users, you often come up with solutions that you would not have when working alone. Being part of a multidisciplinary team is definitely something I really appreciate.
Alvin: Through the experience, I can better appreciate the benefits of collaborating with other agencies like HTX and the PCG. We were all aligned to a common goal, and that was evident when we came together to brainstorm for the best solutions and exchange ideas to drive further discussions. Working together to develop industry-specific solutions was very exciting.