NAUTIS Maritime Simulators Receive DNV Certification

ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands, November 15, 2011 -

VSTEP is proud to announce that its NAUTIS Full Mission Bridge Simulator has received the Class A certification from Det Norske Veritas AS (DNV). The NAUTIS simulators are now qualified to operate as fully-certified maritime training simulators with any maritime training school worldwide. With the certification, VSTEP joins a handful of simulator manufactures worldwide that hold the highest level of DNV certification.

After a thorough certification process and last week’s onsite audit by DNV’s Head of Simulator Certification Capt. Aksel David Nordholm and his team, a full DNV statement of compliance to the STCW requirements was issued for the NAUTIS Bridge Operation Simulator, with class notation for Integrated Simulator Systems, Tug and High Speed Craft.

NAUTIS is a new generation of affordable advanced maritime training solutions for the military and civilian maritime industry. The NAUTIS range of advanced maritime training simulators offers an affordable and effective alternative for training maritime officers and crews. With a full range of simulators, from desktop trainer to full mission bridge simulator, NAUTIS has a cost-effective training solution fulfilling the training requirements of nautical colleges, naval academies, maritime training centres and individual ship owners.

Following the certification audit DNV’s Capt. Nordholm remarked: “VSTEP’s Nautis simulators provide true to life maritime simulation and training in full accordance with known design criteria, class and IMO requirements. Nautis also includes an impressive graphical presentation of the visual scene that complies fully with the requirements to high level of detail for realistic virtual scenarios by day, dusk or by night, including variable meteorological visibility changing in time.”

VSTEP Simulator Manager, Capt. Van Eijden: “The DNV certification now makes NAUTIS simulators accessible to the entire maritime community. The software has been designed to be easy to use, allowing maritime professionals to set up and manage training exercises themselves without complex procedures. I am sure this will appeal to maritime trainers everywhere.”

VSTEP Director, Pjotr van Schothorst: “The DNV Class A certification is not only recognition that our NAUTIS simulators meet the highest levels IMO and STCW functional requirements, but also marks an important milestone in the development of maritime simulators. To date, a small number of manufactures have dominated the maritime simulator industry using traditional simulation systems from the early 1990’s. NAUTIS represents a new generation of simulation technology that is more versatile, visually superior and significantly lower cost. With the DNV certification, maritime training centres will no longer be forced to choose between a simulator meeting the certification requirements and one using state-of-the-art technology at an affordable price.”

• See a video of the NAUTIS DNV Class A Simulator at www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1_cKoM_G_Y
• High resolution NAUTIS images of the NAUTIS DNV Class A simulator available at www.nautissim.com/products/detail/product/dnv_class_a

For more information about NAUTIS Maritime Simulators visit www.nautissim.com or contact info@nautissim.com

About NAUTIS

A new generation of affordable advanced maritime training solutions for the military & civilian maritime industry, the NAUTIS range of advanced maritime training simulators offers an affordable and effective alternative for training maritime professionals, officers and crews in compliance with the latest STCW standards. With a full range of simulators, from desktop trainer to full mission bridge simulator, VSTEP has a cost-effective training solution fulfilling the training requirements of nautical colleges, naval academies, maritime training centres and individual ship owners.

NAUTIS software can be coupled with other nautical equipment and software using the built-in NMEA 0183 protocol interface. NAUTIS runs Maris ECDIS software. NAUTIS Radar/ARPA, Nav Aids and GMDSS are powered by In2Sim technology.

All NAUTIS simulators include a wide range of exercise areas and vessels, each with a superior level of detail. A suite of flexible editor tools allow instructors to quickly and easily prepare training scenarios and manage exercises in real-time. More information on www.nautissim.com

About VSTEP

VSTEP is a leading European developer of simulators and virtual training software for the maritime industry and emergency response industry. Using interactive 3D technology, VSTEP creates award winning training applications that allow people to build their skills in a practical and cost effective way.  Since its founding in 2002, VSTEP has delivered numerous simulator solutions for leading industry clients and governmental organisations worldwide. As one of the industry leaders, VSTEP continues to innovate the virtual training world with professional, accurate and groundbreaking new simulation technology. A winner of multiple innovation prizes and awards, VSTEP sets the standard for virtual training and simulation and advocates more effective and safer training through enhanced virtual reality.

Website: www.vstep.nl

NOT FOR PUBLICATION: Contact information: VSTEP, Weena 598, 3012 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Frank Dolmans, Chief Marketing Officer, Telephone: +31-10 201 4520, E-Mail Address: info at vstep.nl