MSRC
Summary
Located in Quebec City, Canada, the Maritime Simulation and Resource Centre (MSRC) is a leader in training and development, and holds unique expertise in navigational safety. It is open to all members of the maritime community, whether for training, professional development or the validation of economic development projects. It offers a stimulating work environment and an atmosphere conducive to learning and the exchange of knowledge.
MSRC is a division of the Corporation of Lower St. Lawrence Pilots (CLSLP). The Centre’s mission is to ensure training and development for pilots belonging to the CLSLP and to share its expertise in simulation with other pilots and professionals in the maritime domain.
Internationally Recognized Expertise
In operation since 2005, the Maritime Simulation and Resource Centre (MSRC) has been purposely built to function as a total turnkey port procedural development centre. It is one of the few facilities in the world offering a full range of simulation options spanning from stand-alone desktop simulation to four fully interactive, manned tug and large vessel simulations.
Click here for a virtual tour of the Full Mission Class A Simulator
Click here for a virtual tour of the Tug Simulator
Click here for a virtual tour of the Bridge Simulators
For projects requiring the knowledge of ship manoeuvres, the MSRC can draw on the vast experience of members of the Corporation of Lower St. Lawrence Pilots (CLSLP). The synergy derived from the combination of new technology with pilot experience generates exceptional added value for the MSRC and enables the Centre to offer unique expertise for projects involving navigation safety.
MSRC also features an in-house database compilation capability, which permits to build, modify or customize simulated geographic areas, as well as ship models, to suit client specific requirements. This extremely unique combination of human and physical resources enables MSRC to provide flexible and total solution through all stages of port development to include: appraisal and conceptual design, manoeuvring procedure training for new facilities, data capture and reporting.
Simulation Facilities

The Maritime Simulation and Resource Centre (MSRC) is a purpose-built simulator with a fully instrumented DNV Class “A” configured bridge with 330° visuals that exceed the requirements of the 1995 STCW Convention. The Centre functions as a total turnkey port procedural development centre. It is one of the few facilities in the world offering a full range of simulation options spanning from single ship simulations to fully interactive, multiple unit tug and large vessel simulations. MSRC’s Full Mission Simulator (FMS) is one of the most advanced simulators of its type and is continually being upgraded.
The Centre is also equipped with three fully instrumented ship bridges, with a horizontal view of 240°. These bridges can be configured as standard or azimuth propulsion tugs that are specifically designed to support high fidelity tugging operations involving physical space constraints, ship design, overhang, limited push and pull attach points and turning radiuses. This capability is achieved by combining two critical operational components: purpose-built tug wheelhouses, which replicate the controls, layout, and tools used by a tug master and high fidelity mathematical models of the tugboat.
All four (4) bridges are networked to a common simulation control system with two primary instructor control positions as well as a suite of self-contained, portable laptop simulator. The simulators are manufactured by Kongsberg Maritime.
Real-time Simulation

MSRC’s fully interactive tug and large vessel simulation capabilities also mean that the facility provides a total turnkey port procedural development centre. Simulations that only employ what are commonly referred to as “vector” or “target tugs” (i.e. a force applied by the instructor that simulated the tug’s towline force) are somewhat restrictive in that they provide results that are dependent upon this simulated towline force which may not consider real world tug manoeuvring or control complications such as physical space constraints or the design of the big ship, overhangs, and limited push/pull attach points.
The facility at MSRC can support the port development from initial conceptualization through to the final manoeuvring process optimization and emergency preparedness. The phases in a typical fully integrated port simulation design might include:
1) Appraisal and Conceptual Design
This phase and its associated simulation scenarios may often be completed by MSRC staff requiring only some consultation from local pilots/port authorities.
2) Conceptual Validation and Procedural Design
This phase and its associated simulation scenarios typically require the participation of local pilots/tug masters/port authorities. Based on findings from the appraisal and conceptual design phase, this phase includes functions such as:
– Developing a risk assessment matrix and determining environmental condition operating limits;
– Determining the best mode of employing tugs at various stages of the operation;
– Assessing potential casualty or catastrophic failures and determining a suitable emergency preparedness/response plan;
– Compiling a comprehensive report of complete findings and recommended implementation actions and training requirements.
3) Manoeuvring Procedure Training for New Facility
Once the conceptual validation and procedural design phase is complete, MSRC’s fully interactive tug and pilot simulation capabilities can then be used to conduct emergency response training to prepare for common problems/complications as well as “worse case” scenarios, etc.
4) Data Capture and Reporting Capabilities
MSRC’s simulator is equipped with detailed, automated data capture tools that facilitate the assessment of simulation outcomes, and support the production of empirical findings both in numeric and graphical form. For port development projects, this can be used in a number of ways. Initial simulator predictions and their tabulated results can support the basis for preliminary conceptual and policy design, and the preparation of basic operational frameworks. Information gathered from live trials or initial project implementation can then be used to further refine simulator outputs. These refined computer models can then be used to deliver advanced training for the new port’s routine operational and emergency response procedures.
Pilot Training

The Maritime Simulation and Resource Centre:
– Provides training for apprentice pilots;
– Develops and provides skill improvement techniques for its regular pilots;
– Develops and provides skill improvement techniques for pilots of other piloted districts (anywhere in the world);
– Designs appropriate ship-handling scenarios for pilots as well as for masters and officer
MSRC proposes its proven resources and established competence in integrating all relevant environmental and situation variables, in modelling any physical infrastructure and in planning meaningful and pertinent training programs. It also offers the option of calling on the expertise of CLSLP members to lecture or participate in the proposed training programs.
Geographic Databases

In addition to the thirty or so databases of geographical sites it already has, the MSRC has software available specifically designed to produce and bring up-to-date the integrated databases required for simulations.
Our programming team can build new geographical areas and waterways, as well as the necessary applications, such as radar files, navigational aids, ECDIS, etc. It is also possible to model and introduce, into existing databases, structures such as new quays in order to validate the safety of new navigation conditions for approaching, berthing, etc.