At Naval Station Everett, the Afloat Training Group (ATG) Pacific Northwest has been going above and beyond the call of duty by opening up their Navigation, Seamanship, Shiphandler Trainer (NSST), a U.S. Navy pilothouse simulator, to Navy-focused community groups, distinguished visitors and pillars of the community.

The NSST consists of a large scale pilot house mock up with seven visual scene projectors providing an out-of-the-window view on a 240 degree curved projection screen. There are several watch stations to include: a helm and lee helm console, where the propulsion and steering of the ship are controlled; a conning station, where an officer can shoot bearings; a chart table, used by the junior officer of the deck to plan out and verify positions and work maneuvering board solutions; a navigation radar station integrated with the Voyage Management System (VMS), where contacts can be tracked and a track inputted and followed.

The NSST is so realistic that the Navy uses it to judge seamanship skills and to provide advanced training to bridge watch standers. ATG assists in this training by taking groups and forming watch teams (based upon their understanding and capabilities).

Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Straub, ATG executive officer, has conducted numerous training events in the NSST and he says that he has “seen the shyest kids take charge and give standard commands like they’ve been doing it for years!”

Recently ATG has received recognition for their work with local community youth groups such as the Sea Cadets, NJROTC, NROTC, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and local high school students.

“There is no better teacher for young people than hands on training in a realistic environment. It’s a an interesting, challenging and learning experience, and it’s a favorite training opportunity for all of our cadets,” said Lt. Korali Heryla, Sea Cadet command executive-training officer of Gadsden Battalion from Smokey Point Naval Support Complex in Marysville, Wash.

ATG has also provided demonstrations and training to distinguished visitors such as educators, local Indian tribal leaders, congressmen, the Royal Australian Navy, Foreign Naval attachés and the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. The demonstrations provide community leaders insight into the work Sailors do and an appreciation for the challenges faced by bridge watchstanders.