SimSea
Maritime simulation for training, planning, and testing
Simulation for Maritime and Offshore Work
SimSea helps teams rehearse procedures, train operators, test control logic, and study vessel or equipment behaviour before the real operation takes place. It can be delivered as a complete simulator system with software, operator controls, displays, instructor stations, computing hardware, and integration.
For crane operators, dredge masters, cable engineers, barge captains, and mooring crews.
For control systems, automation logic, and PLC subsystems before offshore projects deployment.
For complex, high-risk campaigns including crane transfers, cable laying, jack-up placement, and dredging cycles.
Vessel and Operation Configurations
SimSea delivers validated software and hardware configurations for the following vessel types and operations.
Floating Crane Vessels
Full hydrodynamic coupling between vessel and crane dynamics. Supports single-hook, double-hook, and tandem lifts with Active Heave Compensation (AHC) modelling. Primary scenario: ship-to-ship cargo transfer.
Jack-up Platforms
All three operating modes: transit (floating), jacking phase with seabed penetration, and elevated fixed platform. Includes leg bending moments, punch-through risk, and elevated wind exposure modelling.
Small Crane Vessels
Offshore projects wind O&M CTVs and SOVs handling frequent lifts. Hull hydrodynamics tuned for smaller displacement. Realistic load charts reflecting the tighter operational envelope.
Cable Lay Vessels
Dynamic catenary cable model with axial, bending, and torsional response. Tensioner dynamics, touch-down point monitoring, and bend radius management for subsea power cable and umbilical operations.
Barge and Mooring Operations
Mooring line mechanics (elastic elongation, catenary shape, anchor holding) with barge hydrodynamics for free-floating and moored configurations. Supports multi-point moorings and load-out operations.
Dredging (TSHD and CSD)
TSHD: drag head–seabed interaction, suction pipe dynamics, pump behaviour, hopper loading with overflow, full dredging cycle. CSD: cutter head dynamics, spud positioning, swing wire tensions, pump and pipeline behaviour.
Platform Capabilities
Physics and Environment
Configurable wave spectra (JONSWAP, Pierson-Moskowitz, user-defined), gust wind profiles, depth-stratified currents. Validated hydrodynamic models, not approximations. Independent control of sea state, visibility, daylight, and precipitation.
Equipment Fidelity
All simulated equipment carries realistic limits: crane load charts, tensioner capacity, winch speed/torque curves, pump performance, thruster authority, jacking force. Safety systems (overload switches, emergency brakes, AHC logic) behave as on the real asset.
Scenario Library and Engine
Each configuration ships with a base scenario library covering routine operations, high-risk procedures, and emergency drills. Trainers can define environmental profiles, scripted faults, trigger conditions, success criteria, and branching logic.
HIL Integration
SimSea is built to close the loop with real hardware. The HIL layer provides standard driver templates and I/O mapping for PLCs, DP systems, crane control panels, joystick platforms, motion bases, measurement devices, and custom operator stations. The same simulator that trains operators can verify a PLC update.
- Standard I/O driver templates for rapid hardware connection
- Compatible with all major PLC brands via OPC-UA and Modbus
- DP system emulation for vessel positioning validation
- Motion base integration for high-fidelity cabin simulators
- Virtual metrology streams (GNSS, IMU, load sensors) for MetroSea integration
- Deterministic replay for regression testing and audit
SimSea and TwinSea Integration
SimSea and TwinSea share the same physics core and equipment library. The simulator used for operator training and the digital twin used for PLC code validation are built from the same machine model.
This means operators trained on SimSea encounter the same machine dynamics on hardware commissioned with TwinSea. There is no gap between how the simulator behaved and how the real machine behaves.
Service Models
Complete Simulator Delivery
Complete simulator system (software, hardware, operator and instructor stations, scenario library, documentation, instructor training) delivered to your training facility or integrated into an existing simulation centre.
Simulator-as-a-Service
Hosted access to SimSea configurations from MimeSeas facilities or cloud-delivered, with instructor support and custom scenario authoring. Suitable for clients needing periodic training or engineering validation without capital investment.
Engineering and HIL Assignments
Project-based use of SimSea for control system validation, automation logic testing, procedure rehearsal for specific campaigns, or operational planning studies.