Oil Tanker
Today's cutting-edge tanker ships are the product of a commitment to safety combined with the power of computer-assisted design. As a result, the new ships traveling the seas are stronger, more maneuverable and more durable than their predecessors.
Pilot Training
To reduce the risk of accidental groundings and spills, prospective tanker pilots are using virtual reality technology to get extensive hands-on training before they ever take the wheel of a ship. A number of multi-million-dollar training facilities feature full-scale models of tanker bridges, using full-surround video screens and stereophonic audio to recreate real-world situations. Computers generate potential hazards, such as fishing boats, yachts, helicopters and tugboats. Instructors in a nearby control room can add to the complexity of a training session by adding wind, fog, icebergs, or floating logs. Multiple simulators can be linked together as separate ships within a single scenario.
Double Hulls
By 2015, all tankers operating in U.S. waters will be double-hulled vessels. This hull-within-a-hull configuration provides an extra measure of security: In the unlikely event of a collision or grounding, the outer hull will bear the brunt of the impact while the interior hull keeps the cargo secure and prevents oil from entering the marine environment.
Redundant Systems
In an effort to build ships capable of withstanding even the most extreme circumstances, many tankers are now equipped with redundant, or duplicate, systems. If the original system is compromised, a second, fully functional backup is on hand. This concept is put into use in navigation - with back-up GPS systems, for example - and below decks in redundant engine rooms. Duplicate rudders and propellers have the added benefit of improved maneuverability, enabling the ship to rotate 360° in a fixed position.
Single-operator Capability
A highly trained bridge crew is the key to effective decision-making on the seas. Once a decision is made, however, modern tankers allow a single deck officer to make all the appropriate adjustments to the ship's speed and heading from a central command station. This allows for faster response in critical situations.