Shared Remote Simulation with qtVlm

 A unique feature of qtVlm that is a powerful training tool is its ability to share AIS positions amongst simultaneous users. We can have, for example, three users in different parts of the world agree on a time and place to meet up for a practice sail. To do this we need to have the three (or ten!) users set up the program in the same way. Each will then drive their own boat, but see on the screen the other boats taking part.  We will turn on collision avoidance setting in AIS to see how that works as well.

We can do this with a canned environment by forcing a fixed wind and fixed current, or we can share the same model forecasts for wind and current. The Training Mode install includes wind and current for a section of the Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, between WA state and Canada, so we will use those for the example.

These are text notes for the process, followed by a video demo of the operation. Here is what we need to have the same:

1) Same polar loaded. We can use the default classic 40 version.  These could be different but if we want to race it would be more interesting if all the same.

2) Same GRIBS loaded. In the Training mode, you can load the HRRR wind in Slot 1 and the OFS current forecasts in Slot 2.

3) These environmental data overlap starting at 4/11/2025 at 15:00:00.So after loading the GRIBS, use the clock icon to set the the Grib time to that value.  (If needed, go to Config/ General / Units,  and choose UTC.) 

4) Since we are not using live data, we also need to tell qtVlm when we want to start the simulation.  This is done under menu Boat / Boat Settings / Navigation Simulation Mode. Force the starting time to 4/11/2025 15:00:00

5) It might be helpful, but not crucial, to Display the Grib time slider in the Grib Config window.  If it does not look like this, then something is wrong. Do cmd+I or ctrl+I to see what is loaded. 

Check in the Grib config / Corrections window to be sure you have no forced wind or current. That will over ride the grib data.

6) For simulation and real sailing it is valuable to turn on the Microboard (this is not on in the initial Training Mode configuration). Menu / Config / Boat /Show microboard.

7) We might also share 3 marks to show where we should start our boats. If we are not mindful of this, we could run into each other quickly, which ends the simulations. Here is a sample. None of this has to be precise.

8) When you start the simulator, the boat will start head to wind, so it will not be moving. If you are moving, then the engine is on.  Check Boat / Boat Settings / Engine and Tacks/Gybes.  Be sure both are set to 0.0.

9) We also need to set up the AIS configuration to make this work. menu /qtVlm Config / AIS to see this:

And we need to turn on the AIS from the tool bar:

AIS icon must be green.

Then we should be ready to go, and each participant can start the simulation and it should look something like this, keeping in mind that it takes a minute or two for the actual AIS vessel name to show up.

Note in the Seattle screen above, he has a COG predictor cone turned on and we are sitting head to wind in a current, so he is drifting backwards.  All the boats are doing this, but only this one has that turned on.

In principle we could agree to a boat set up and a chart, etc. but once this is running there is much to learn and practice with.

Here is a look at the three computers running the simulation. 

Later we will discuss the various program controls we can use to optimize sailing routes.