In 2009, Sogreah, a firm of consulting engineers working in the fields of water, energy and the environment, launched the Otello, a 1:25 scale model of one of the world’s largest container carriers. This event was part of the celebrations to mark the extension of its shiphandling training center, Port Revel.

On March 29, to open the 2010 season, Sogreah will launch the latest addition to its fleet, the Q-Max, a faithful reproduction of a 1,132 ft LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) carrier with a capacity of 266,000 m3. Thanks to this latest model, sailors can now train on a ship that represents the new giants now sailing the seas.

The Port Revel development program was launched in October 2007 and represents an investment of over one million Euros, consolidating the centre’s worldwide leadership in training pilots in shiphandling operations. By extending the lake to cover a total of five hectares, of which 70% is shallow water, doubling the number of quays and installing additional current-generating equipment, Port Revel can now offer an extremely varied range of situations and host 10-12 trainees each week as opposed to eight previously. [Continue Reading →]

From the gCaptain archives…

Our friend Peter Mello at Sea-Fever, a must read maritime blog, brings us the model building obsession of William Terra. This one stopped me cold for a number of reasons. First Battleships have been a personal obsession of mine since childhood and were the subject of the weapons presentation during my plebe year at Annapolis. Second, these “manned models” are an excellent (some say superior) alternative to simulators for shiphandling training. Last, if it comes from Sea-Fever it’s bound to be interesting.

In the post titled “The Germans are coming! The Germans are coming! (by pickup and trailer)” Sea-Fever writes;

Four years in the making and a few more needed to “complete” the project, Mr. Terra built a 1:20 scale, 30′, navigating model of the World War II German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. (Wikipedia entry) Per Bizmark & Tirpitz:

• The model is scratch built like a canoe using 2,54 – 10,16 cm (1 – 4 in) bass wood strips and then covered with fiberglass.
• Estimated weight 318 kg (700 lbs).
• The beam is 1,32 meter (52 in).
• The length is about 9,1 meter (30 foot).
• It can carry 2 persons.
• The model is powered by a 15 hp (11,2 kw) outboard engine under rear gun turret.
• It can sail 24 kilometer per hour (15 mph).
• Furthermore the model has a music system build in.
• While William Terra cruise the lakes of Maine he enjoys listening to Wagner.
• The Commander-in-Chief in the photographs is William Terra.
• William Terra would like to see more models build in this scale

Click HERE for photos and related links.

[Continue Reading →]