Posted on January 1, 2025
VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Watercraft and Ship Simulation team has been selected as a 2024 National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA) Modeling and Simulation Award winner.
An affiliate of the National Defense Industrial Association, the NTSA represents organizations and individuals in the Modeling and Simulation and Training industries. Winners of the awards exemplify the dedication and innovation of the modeling and simulation community,
Developed by the ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL), the Watercraft and Ship Simulator addresses critical needs in harbor design and navigation safety and has become an indispensable tool for optimizing navigation channels, evaluating harbor modifications and enhancing maritime safety across the United States.
“I want to offer my congratulations to the entire Watercraft and Ship Simulation team,” said Dr. Ty Wamsley, director of CHL. “This award is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the field of modeling and simulation, and I am proud of our team for delivering for the nation.”
A collaborative effort that has evolved over several years with input from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Divisions and Districts, port authorities and maritime stakeholders, ERDC’s Watercraft and Ship Simulator has yielded numerous benefits and quantifiable improvements in harbor design, maritime safety and crisis response, including cost savings, enhanced safety, improved design efficiency, economic impact and versatility.
The simulator employs cutting-edge modeling and analysis techniques to replicate ship movements and responses in various waterway types by integrating complex hydrodynamic models, high-fidelity visual representations and real-time physics simulations to create a realistic virtual environment. It consists of eleven 65-inch displays providing a 240-degree horizontal view and a 40-degree vertical view.
The technology can be applied in both civilian and military maritime operations and played a crucial role in emergency response and recovery efforts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse response in Baltimore, Maryland, earlier this year.
“Nobody ever wants to see a tragedy, but the fact that we were able to, in that moment, help to reopen the port, it’s a big deal,” said Dr. Keith Martin, a research physicist with ERDC-CHL.
“Everybody looks at USACE and says, ‘okay, locks and dams,’” added Martin. “They don’t think about the navigation mission or the commercial waterways we maintain. We’re responsible if something happens, and the fact that we were able to help during that tragedy and provide value back to the district and the nation, it’s why we get up in the morning.”
A transformative achievement in maritime engineering, safety and crisis management, ERDC’s Watercraft and Ship Simulator stands as a testament to the power of modeling and simulation in solving complex real-world problems. As maritime commerce continues to evolve with larger ships and increasing traffic, and as ports face various challenges from natural disasters to security threats, the ERDC team’s innovative approach ensures that U.S. ports can adapt efficiently, safely and securely.
“We support the USACE,” said Martin. “We have subject-matter experts readily available to assist our districts and divisions in making the most informed decisions. “
The Watercraft and Ship Simulation team is made of dedicated researchers from ERDC-CHL, including Martin, Richard W. Hunt II, Mary C. Allison, Jacob C. Hodges, Osler Kendall Moore Jr., Shannon N. Stever, E. Grace Staebell and Kelly A. Turcotte. The laboratory currently has plans for expansion with a new Watercraft and Ship Simulator for Multi-domain Operations Facility already approved for construction.
