Use of Simulation for Training and Improving Ships Maintenance Performance

The research proposes the use of a simulation tool originally designed for the training of seafarers, which later, by improving the mathematical model for a better simulated environment (ships and equipment’s), can reproduce the behaviour of real systems in case of failure, damage, or reduction of performance parameters. Additionally, this simulation tool proposes the analysis of maintenance management on all its components, starting from the training of human resources, the development and testing of work procedures and the analysis of failure modes and the effects on equipment’s or to the entire system. To use technological ship simulators for improving maintenance management onboard, a framework is developed and validated using a simulated model from a real accident scenario. Finally, some limitations and further direction of the research are presented.