Cruise Ship Captain tests simulators at the NMCI
Friday 07 March 2008
The Royal Caribbean International senior captain, Hernan Zini, visited the bridge simulators at the National Maritime College of Ireland to test how the Freedom class of ships would manoeuvre in the Port of Cork before the "Independence of the Seas" calls to Cobh later this year. Captain Zini was invited by the Port of Cork Harbour Master Captain Pat Farnan to try a simulation of "Independence of the Seas" in the 360 degree ship’s bridge simulator at the NMCI.
Pilots from the Port of Cork have already been training on the bridge simulators in order to prepare for the arrival of one of the world’s largest passenger ships into Cork Harbour. Launching in 2008, “Independence of the Seas” is set to become the third in the Freedom class of ships which are amongst the largest cruise liners in the world and is expected into Cobh for the first time in May. It will accommodate 3,634 passengers (double occupancy) with approximately 1,300 crew on fifteen passenger decks.
Like other ships in the Freedom class, the ship will feature an onboard surf park, a water-park, a rock-climbing wall, extensive WiFi capabilities and connectivity for cell phones, a skating rink, and a full size boxing ring as well as numerous themed bars and restaurants.