B08_Attatchment_1_-_Scope_of_Services.pdf

SCOPE OF SERVICE

Whale Avoidance Training Modules for Class A DNV Full Mission Bridge Simulator

STATEMENT OF NEED:

GLBA faces an ongoing threat of humpback whale death and injury from strikes by large cruise ships that carry visitors into the Park. This issue also affects whales throughout Alaska and the world’s oceans. GLBA uses a variety of tools to mitigate the risk to these iconic marine mammals. But recent science and collaborative work with marine pilots who navigate cruise ships revealed the lack of interactive training tools for mariners to learn whale strike avoidance. There is a critical need for educational tools for mariners to understand and practice whale avoidance in professional maritime training centers. This acquisition aims to develop a rigorous curriculum for full-mission bridge simulators to teach and practice the principles and techniques of whale avoidance developed by experienced marine pilots over decades. A “Class A Full-Mission Bridge Simulator” is a high-level maritime training tool that provides a fully immersive, realistic simulation of a ship’s bridge, allowing mariners to practice all aspects of navigation, ship handling and emergency response in various scenarios, enabling complex maneuvers and realistic situations to be taught and practiced safely without real-world risks. At present, very few whale graphics are available in Full-Mission Bridge Simulators but the Wartsila system has a whale object. A DNV-certified Full-Mission Bridge Simulator features a complete mock-up of a ship’s bridge, including navigation and maneuvering equipment in a realistic physical layout with coordinated wheelhouse views. Advanced high fidelity visual and operational capabilities are utilized to accurately replicate appearance and behaviors of own-ship, other features (such as other ships, boats, marine life, geographic features - bridges, piers, etc.) and waterway attributes (sea-states, tidal currents, visibility, etc.). The deliverables under the acquisition will allow marine pilots, mariners in training, and cruise ship deck officers to incorporate whale strike avoidance into their continuing education in full-mission bridge simulators.

Creating these training modules advances the National Park Service (NPS) mission of allowing large vessel visitation while not compromising the health of whales and other natural and cultural resources.

LIST OF DELIVERABLES

I. Four or more scripted training modules of common whale encounter scenarios for the Wartsila Class A DNV-certified Full Mission Bridge Simulator, using the animated humpback whale object, allowing the trainee to learn the principles of whale strike avoidance and understand and practice whale avoidance techniques. The goal is for the whale object to behave in ways that realistically represent whale respiration and movement in the training modules. Ideally, the system also collects a log file of tabular data during training runs on simulated whale and vessel positions to inform future research on whale strike avoidance. The training modules will include written pre-training briefing material that provides an overview and defines the terminology used for whale avoidance (e.g. “cone of concern”).

Il. Two workshops with the contractor’s development team and NPS subject matter experts to verify the visual and behavioral cues provided by the scripted training modules, the curriculum and the technical accuracy of the training.

Ill. Three short videos and a Facilitator’s Manual describing the training; First, one for the trainees to watch prior to participating in the simulator modules. Second, one to train-the-trainer, providing instruction to the course instructor and simulator operator about how to run the modules and the data that will be collected during each training. Third, a video to announce and market the training to maritime training centers. A Facilitator’s Manual to compliment the requirements above, provide detailed direction on the content and conduct of training sessions, including but not limited to facility preparedness for training, minimum facility requirements, instructor qualifications, pre & post-scenario briefing criteria, clearly stated training and specific scenario objectives, evaluation information and format, etc.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

There are numerous specifications on the authenticity of the behavior of the animated whale object (See Specifications for Deliverables), in the Wartsila Class A DNV (Det Norske Veritas classification society) simulator operating system. The whale avoidance principles that the training modules will teach are not only important in the waterways in Southeast Alaska but also in other waterways around the world. In a future acquisition, we hope to create the training modules in Kongsberg or another commonly used maritime simulator framework.

There is a critical need for experienced subject matter experts to be part of the team developing the scripted simulations. The contractor must demonstrate in their quote that their development team includes subject matter experts (SME) that are mariners with abundant knowledge and skill avoiding whales while navigating the narrow, challenging, high-current marine areas such as those found in Glacier Bay National Park and throughout Southeast Alaska. The SMEs in the development team are to be provided by the contractor. The SMEs may be direct employees of the contractor or sub-contracted individuals. Minimum qualifications of the SMEs to satisfy the requirements of the RFQ are:

• Not less than ten (10) years of service as Master or Pilot on ocean or coastwise vessels of not less than 25,000 gross tons.

• Not less than five (5) years of experience operating vessels of not less than 25,000 gross tons in near coastal waters frequented by humpback whales (e.g. Alaska, British Columbia).

• Prior, documented experience, participating in, conducting or developing research projects and/or training programs in Full-Mission Bridge Simulators/Simulation (Full-Mission Bridge Simulator as defined by the classification society Det Norske Veritas (DNV).

There are several key concepts that are required to be included in the training modules, and the contractor must demonstrate that they understand the concept of active whale strike avoidance and can create full-mission bridge simulation training exercises that portray these principles. These points are best in the Gende et al. 2019 scientific paper entitled ”Active Whale Avoidance by Large Ships: Components and Constraints of a Complementary Approach to Reducing Ship Strike Risk”, and summarized in the flyer Five Things you can do to reduce the risk of a whale strike (nps.gov) which are among several documents provided with this solicitation.

This is project includes a strong research component and therefore the contractor is expected to incorporate archived whale encounter data and the probabilities that the whale will approach within a prescribed distance (say 1000 m) within 30 degrees on either side of the path of the ship (the Cone of Concern) into the training modules. The programming of the scripted modules also requires research data to be archived and exportable in tabular form when trainees run the modules. Specifically, the tracks of the vessels and the whales, and the resulting CPA (Closest Point of Approach) will be saved for each run and provided to NPS for research purposes, 1. to further illuminate the effectiveness of the training and 2. to identify navigational strategies that result in larger CPA distances between the ship and the whales in the training modules.

The contractors shall coordinate and consult with NPS at several stages of the development process, including two on-site workshops at the simulator, described in detail below.

Following acceptance by NPS that the Whale Avoidance Training curriculum is ready for distribution, contractor will coordinate with NPS on a plan to communicate the purpose and availability of the training to interested parties such as cruise companies, pilots associations, maritime training centers, and other mariner organizations worldwide. While recognizing that Wartsila simulator software and existing models are proprietary, ideally the training modules should be developed in such a way as to be adaptable for other simulator systems with as few barriers as possible. The contractor will have no proprietary claim to the scripted training modules – after completion, the NPS will provide them to other entities as it sees fit, to advance the public interest of whale strike avoidance in Glacier Bay and around the world.

Specifications for animated whale behavior:

The humpback whale object will represent a collection of visual ‘cues’ used by pilots and deck officers to identify the presence, location, activity and swim direction of a humpback whale in the simulator. One of the key points for the training is the distinction between actionable information for whale avoidance vs. ambiguity which makes whale avoidance judgements much more difficult.

The goal is for a sighting of the whale object to reflect real-world conditions for whale sightings from a ship’s bridge. Specifically, sometimes a sighting gives clear cues as to the whale’s speed and direction of travel and whether it has made a dive, and sometimes the sighting contains insufficient information.

The whale’s breath (spout) is one of the most important visual cues, it requires as much programming flexibility as possible. The timing and details of the animated whale’s behavior must be flexible to reflect their availability as visual cues for whale avoidance purposes from the perspective of a mariner. Potential contractors are encouraged to be forthright about what is possible with available technology.

The following attributes should be programmable by the simulator operator in the Wartsila DNV-certified Full-Mission Bridge Simulator:

Program the whale object to swim a particular route at a particular speed.

Vary the timing and visibility of the whale object(s) under different conditions.

Waves or rain/fog would diminish the visibility of the whale model.

Waves or rain/fog would diminish the visibility of the spout.

Vary the length of time the whale object is visible at the surface, and the amount of time it is submerged. On average, humpback whales take 2-4 breaths (spouts) in about 42 seconds at the surface, so the spouts would occur regularly every 10 to 21 seconds.

Cues to be developed in consultation with subject matter experts will include (but are not limited

to) the following, viewable from different angles and distances:

a. whale respiration “spouts”

b. dorsal fin and flank of the whale

c. the tail flukes

d. the head of the whale

e. an unidentified whale-sized splash

The cues will have attributes, including:

a. scaling with distance (e.g., reduce in size with increasing distance)

b. realistically conveying the whale’s direction of travel when viewed from different angles

c. the spouts and whale(s) are less visible in reduced visibility

A given training module can accurately depict several different whales surfacing at different locations and/or at slightly different times, distances, etc.

Throughout a simulation, the distances between the whale or whales (targets) and the ship (own ship) are archived and can be exported in tabular form.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR DELIVERABLES (by % of effort/cost):

I. (60%) At least 4 scripted training modules of common whale encounter scenarios in a full-mission cruise ship bridge simulator, allowing the trainee to understand and practice whale avoidance in a controlled setting. Specifications:

The training modules must use the Wartsila DNV full mission bridge simulator framework because it already has a whale object, and is in use at primary training facilities used by Alaska marine pilots (MITAGS, Inc. Seattle and UAS Ketchikan), and cruise ship deck officers at Carnival’s CSMART facility (Almere, Netherlands) where Carnival, Holland America, and Princess deck officers are trained. In a future acquisition, we hope to implement these training exercises for facilities that use Kongsberg simulator systems which includes AVTEC (Seward, Alaska; Kongsberg K-Sim framework) and the Maritime Pilots Institute (Covington, LA; Kongsberg Polaris framework).

During training module development, the contractor’s team will develop analytical approaches for using training results to assess and improve training performance. The scripted modules must be based on authentic whale behavioral characteristics provided, which will be made available after award. The types of information are represented by the attached publications, but will involve the use of actual whale encounter data from Glacier Bay, including the probabilities that a whale will be ‘encountered’ within 1000m and within a defined cone of concern. The training modules must incorporate various strategies of whale strike avoidance, including changing course and/or speed.

The contractor must supply at least one scaled model of a large cruise ship compatible with the Wartsila DNV full-mission bridge simulator to provide the basis for the bridge and operational characteristics essential to the training modules.

Geographically, the training modules will use a 2D depiction of somewhat generic coastal environment characteristic of Southeast Alaska. However, it must incorporate the actual hydrography with tidal current fields and weather events that make the simulation realistic for Southeast Alaska.

The scripted modules must be written in collaboration with the SMEs (see criteria above) and in consultation with Glacier Bay National Park whale experts.

The contract will create written pre-training briefing material that provides an overview of the training and defines the terminology used for whale avoidance (e.g. “cone of concern”).

The modules will allow the simulator operator to program multiple types of whale-encounter scenarios with:

a. Participant roles including the Pilot, Helmsman, Lookout and Captain

b. The type of encounter between whale and ship (distance, bearing, etc.)

c. The presence and locations of one or more whales

d. The environmental conditions

e. Confounding factors such as the presence of other vessels

f. The simulator operator must be able to program the behavior of one or more whales

II. (20%) Coordinate and host workshops in the simulator to verify the visual and behavioral cues provided by the animated whale, the curriculum and the technical accuracy of the training.

Specifications:

a. Provide for two workshops by the development team and NPS designated personnel at the full mission bridge simulator (specific dates to be determined in consultation with NPS) to review the development and improve the quality of each of the products and conduct simulator research exercises as needed to test the effectiveness of different factors or approaches to whale avoidance.

NPS travel will be at NPS expense.

b. The first workshop should occur to define the whale object’s behavior detailed in Deliverable I, and to outline the specific training scenarios that will be developed. At the workshop, NPS and SMEs on the development team, will delineate a process by which data on results of trainee module runs can be recorded and archived for research purposes. The archived trainee sessions will not be linked to specific individual users, but they will help demonstrate the effectiveness of training and of particular operational strategies, using data such as ship-whale Closest Point of Approach (CPA) or other metrics as defined by the team.

c. The second workshop should occur when the scripted scenarios and data archiving methods have been well-defined. During the workshop, NPS will either provide a punch list of needed improvements or formally accept the Whale Avoidance Training Curriculum as completed and is ready for distribution. At the workshop, NPS and the development team will discuss the content of the videos and Facilitator Manual required in Deliverables IV & V and create a plan to communicate the availability of the training to interested parties including cruise companies, pilots associations, and maritime training centers.

Ill. (20%) Produce three short videos describing the training; First, one for the trainees to watch prior to participating in the simulator modules. Second, one to train-the-trainer, providing instruction to the instructor and simulator operator about how to run the modules and the data that will be collected during each training. Third, a short video to market the video to maritime training centers around the world. Fourth a Facilitator Manual that describe Specifications:

Trainee Video: A short video (approximately 5-8 minutes) to be viewed by each trainee prior to participating in the simulator modules, that provides necessary context to the issue of ship strikes and importance of whale avoidance.

Video content will describe what will transpire in the simulator module for the trainee including modules with increasing complexity.

Coordinate with NPS and marine pilot SMEs to generate an outline and specific list of content and messages that the video will convey to the trainee, and the types of graphics (video clips of interviews, data graphics, video clips and stills of whales, etc.) necessary to effectively communicate those messages. For example, messages will include context of whale avoidance such as the frequency and consequences of ship-whale collisions including the global extent of the issue, conservation implications, dispelling myths that healthy whales always avoid ships, and the role of mitigation measures, among others, highlighting techniques that have proved most effective for whale strike avoidance, including:

a. Briefing the Lookout for types of information

b. The importance of communicating a sighting in a timely manner

c. Speaking with Bridge Teams during transit planning on the importance of detecting and avoiding whales

d. Concentrating search efforts in the Cone of Concern and

e. Typical maneuvers in response to individual whales

Train the Trainer Video: A train-the-trainer video (approximately 15 minutes) that provides instruction to the course instructor and the simulator operator about how to run the modules and the data that will be collected during each training. This video will provide guidance to course instructors on how to implement the whale-avoidance training modules. The requirements for the simulation facility to use the training modules must be included in the video (e.g. Wartsila simulator, Visual Database coastline similar to Southeast Alaska, large cruise ship model,). All relevant information must be included in the train-the-trainer video to ensure that the instructors and simulator operators are clear in terms of how to implement the training, and how to record, archive, and share results of training runs to be used by the NPS to identify successful strategies for whale avoidance and demonstrate the effectiveness of the training.

Marketing Video: A short marketing video will be produced that describes the training program, its goals and effectiveness, that can be circulated to maritime training centers around the world. This video should include some of the same content as the trainee video about the importance of whale strike avoidance and the techniques that have proven effective in avoiding strikes.

The Facilitator Manual: This manual will provide detailed direction on the content and conduct of training sessions, including but not limited to facility preparedness for training, minimum facility requirements, instructor qualifications, pre & post-scenario briefing criteria, clearly stated training and specific scenario objectives, evaluation information and format, etc.

PERFORMANCE-PERIOD REQUIREMENTS:

The work should be completed preferably within 12-18 months. Total period of Performance is estimated March 2025 – September 2026.

GOVERNMENT PROPERTY OR INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED:

As part of this solicitation, the NPS is providing a guide to avoiding whale strikes along with a scientific publication that summarizes the principles that must be included and demonstrated in the training modules, including detailed information on the available cues that mariners can use to spot whales, and the conditions under which those cues are available due to environmental conditions and whale behaviors. Upon the award of the contract, the NPS will provide detailed data on whale respiration, behavior, and encounter distances with cruise ships which is to be used as the basis of the scripted modules for whale avoidance training. See attached documents.

IMPORTANT TECHNICAL AND EXPERIENCE COMPONENTS:

See page 2 above for applicable specifics. The contractor demonstrates that their team has abundant previous experience with simulation development and whale avoidance in the large cruise ship bridge team environment (see General Requirements). This factor is crucial to the success of the project.

The contractor’s development team, including subject matter experts (see General Requirements) must be specified in the quote. The SMEs must demonstrate abundant experience and skill avoiding whales while navigating large ships in narrow channels, and challenging, high-current marine areas such as those found in Glacier Bay and Southeast Alaska. The local knowledge and mariner expertise component is vitally important for Deliverable I, for creating realistic whale avoidance scenarios as trainees may find in Alaska waters.

The expertise of the subject matter experts who participate in developing the whale avoidance modules is an important determinant of the quality of the final product and its ability to mitigate the risk of whale strikes in Glacier Bay National Park through developing this mariner training.

The contractor must demonstrate that they can supply at least one scale model of a large cruise ship to provide the basis for the bridge and operational characteristics essential to the training modules. Contractors that can supply more than one scale model of a large cruise ship (for example a larger and a smaller ship, or a ship with azipods and one with straight line propulsion) should describe the models that are included in their quote.

The contractor must demonstrate that they are equipped and able to program the behavior of the whale model and simulations for the Wartsila full-mission bridge simulator system.

The contractor should demonstrate their past performance in collaborating with outside entities, including government agencies, in producing high quality DNV-certified Full-Mission Bridge Simulator modules and other similar products. ~END~