Crew training has kicked off for the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Program.
Over the past three years, Luerssen Australia in conjunction with the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has designed a specific training package to prepare incoming OPV crews.
The training is a consolidation of instructor led and student self-paced learning and provides a realistic environment via 3D simulation to prepare sailors and officers to operate the OPVs.
The training is designed to enable the crew to immerse themselves in a fully rendered 3D environment which will allow them to familiarise themselves with the individual compartments, rooms and equipment prior to boarding the vessel for the first time in real life.
The training will be delivered at the OPV Training Centre at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island and it is expected to take approximately six months for each crew.
All crew posted to an OPV will undertake the familiarisation course, as well as a variety of operator and maintainer courses depending on their role.
Luerssen Australia’s dedicated Training Team will deliver the courses, many of whom are Navy veterans who bring years of experience.
“The commencement of OPV crew training is another critical achievement in Luerssen Australia’s delivery of the Arafura OPV Program,” Luerssen Australia Chief Executive Officer, Jens Nielsen, said.
“This training once again shows Luerssen Australia is committed to delivering the Navy the capability it needs as soon as possible.
“The first OPV, NUSHIP Arafura, was launched in December last year, and we have four other vessels under construction in South Australia and Western Australia.”