February 2024 Issue no.

35

N vigator
THE
Inspiring professionalism in marine navigators

FR
EE

Maintaining Position
The art and science of dynamic positioning

sponsored by

A free publication by The Nautical Institute in

association with the Royal Institute of Navigation
NAV
David Patraiko FNI
Director of Projects, The Nautical Institute

Pole position
Dynamic Positioning (DP) is a technology marginally more expensive to include DP the system begin to malfunction, the DPO
that automatically maintains a vessel’s capability onto ships at the build stage. must be prepared to take immediate action
position and heading by using its own This allows increasing numbers of vessels to put the vessel into a safe environment.
propellers and thrusters. It is increasingly to take on new operations, as well as This ability relies on good training, solid
being used by navigators on a wide offering navigators with DP qualifications experience and continuous assessment.
range of vessels and for a large number more opportunities. Due to the risks associated with DP
of operations. DP systems can be used to maintain a operations, the industry has developed
Traditionally used in the offshore industry vessel’s position (sometimes within a metre) and mandated its own high-quality training
where drilling, dive support and servicing where it would not be humanly possible accreditation and certification scheme.
offshore rigs relied on precise positioning, to react quickly and accurately enough. It This scheme was developed by The
DP operations are now found in renewable might seem as if an automated navigation Nautical Institute working in association
energy, research, cable laying – and even system like this would remove the need for a with flag states, the oil industry, the
on cruise ships and yachts that need to person. However, that is very much not the diving industry and offshore contractors
maintain position. In many cases, the use of case. These systems cannot work without a to establish internationally accepted
DP has replaced situations where anchors highly trained and skilled DP operator (DPO). standards. It has been operational for the
have traditionally been employed but might A DPO must have an excellent past 30 years and standards are regularly
damage the seabed or equipment on it. understanding of how each of the systems reviewed and updated.
Back in the 1960s and '70s when and sensors work. Even more crucially, a This issue of The Navigator aims to
DP systems were first being developed, DPO must know what to do when things provide mariners with insights around DP
they were highly expensive and only used start to go wrong. The nature of DP work operations, issues and opportunities. To
for specific high-value operations. Now involves keeping a ship in a very specific learn more about DP and how to become a
that much of the associated technology position, which is usually associated with qualified DPO, visit www.nialexisplatform.
is more affordable, it is often only a higher degree of risk. Should any part of org/certification/dynamic-positioning/

Inside this issue A Nautical Institute

project sponsored by

03 ALL AT SEA the technology behind DP and 08 WATCH OUT 10 WAY POINT
Interesting and useful links the seven components that A look at how DP system failure George Shaw from the Royal
to websites and other online allow it to function on a diving support vessel Institute of Navigation looks
resources about DP led to a serious incident and at DP feedback control
06-07 DP APPLICATIONS: dramatic rescue systems and the safety
04-05 THE ART AND OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS lessons that can be learned
SCIENCE OF DYNAMIC Qasim Masood AFNI 09 WHO’S NAVIGATING from the aviation sector
POSITIONING
examines the wide Working as a DPO has opened
Qasim Masood AFNI, variety of ships, up opportunities ashore and as 11 TAKE TEN
Head of Qualifications support vessels and a tow master for Tom Feakins Ten key points about DP and
Marine and Offshore specialist craft using DP MNI. He offers advice to others the issues and opportunities
at The NI looks at in offshore oil and gas keen to follow in his footsteps it presents

200B Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JY, UK Editorial committee: Published by

Tel:+44 (0)20 7928 1351 Fax:+44 (0)20 7401 2817 Editor Emma Ward The Nautical Institute
[email protected] www.nautinst.org Design Phil McAllister The Navigator (Print) – ISSN 2058-6043
For The Nautical Institute The Navigator (Online) – ISSN 2058-6051
With support from: 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AT, UK Steven Gosling AFNI, Lucy Budd, Printed in the UK by
Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 3134 Fax: +44 (0)20 7591 3131 Aly Elsayed AFNI, David Patraiko FNI Stephens & George,
www.rin.org.uk For the RIN George Shaw FRIN Merthyr Tydfil, UK

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2 | The Navigator | February 2024

 All sea
We welcome your news, comments and opinions on the topics covered in The Navigator
Emma Ward

To get in touch with us, please contact

the editor, Emma Ward at Dynamic details
[email protected]
Seafarers with a deeper understanding of Dynamic Positioning and the technology
and techniques behind it can often access a wider range of career opportunities.
Here are some useful websites and online resources to help you increase your
knowledge and skills.
If you spot any broken links, or would like to suggest resources that we have
not included here, please do get in touch!

IMCA advice
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) website has lots of helpful
information on DP and how to harness its technology for safety and efficiency at sea.
Check out here: https://www.imca-int.com

Safety flashes
Get the app Forewarned is forearmed. Stay up-to-date with the latest DP incidents, potential hazards
and lessons that can be learned from them with this essential safety resource from IMCA.
Available at: https://www.imca-int.com/safety-flashes/

Join the debate on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/ Want to become a DPO?
groups/1107227/ If you're thinking of becoming a DPO, the NI Alexis website contains information about
the training scheme and seatime that you will need to undertake to qualify. There are
Follow us on Twitter several specialist certification and accreditation options to choose from. This resource
https://twitter.com/NauticalInst will help you make sure you choose the right one.
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Helpful handbook
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Watch our videos on You Tube ask about DP? Perhaps you want to know more about what
becoming a DPO entails, or get a headstart on your study. The
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Nautical Institute’s DP Operator's Handbook is your friend!
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We welcome your news, comments and opinions on the topics

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do not necessarily reflect those held by The Nautical Institute

February 2024 | The Navigator | 3

 WHAT IS DYNAMIC POSITIONING?

e at
M a r in e a nd Offshor
s
H e a d o f Q ualification b e hind Dynam
ic
A F N I, o lo g y
Qasim Ma
sood
lo o k s a t the tech n
ll o w it to function
, that a
al Institute mponents
The Nautic the s e v e n c o
io n in g a n d explores
Posit
HEAVE

D
ynamic Positioning (DP) is the
art and science of keeping a
vessel in a particular position or
moving in a particular direction
at a particular speed and a
particular rate of turn with the help of the
thrust generated by its own thrusters. ROLL
The technology was first developed for
scientific research and geological surveys
in the 1960s, and was rapidly taken up by
the offshore oil and gas industry. Today, it
is used in many different sectors of the PITCH
maritime industry around the world. It offers
a wide range of opportunities for seafarers
who can gain the necessary qualifications.
Although the DP system itself is
controlled by a computer, that does not
mean that there is nothing for the operator
to do. On the contrary – the operator plays
a vital role in managing safety, and has to be
able to step in if the system fails. This is a SWAY YAW
safety-critical role that needs special training. SURGE
That training starts with understanding the
basics of what the system is doing and why.

Six degrees of freedom

Any freely floating structure, including a
ship, will be affected by the forces of wind,
wave and current. The movements take
4 | The Navigator | February 2024
 WHAT IS DYNAMIC POSITIONING?

place across two planes: the horizontal and system needs to have at least one position
vertical. On the horizontal plane, the vessel What’s the difference? reference sensor to automatically control
is subject to surge (forward and aft), sway DP controller vs DP operator surge and sway movements.
(port and starboard) and yaw (around the
T he DP controller is the computer which
horizontal axis)
manages the system
DP controller
On the vertical plane, the vessel is The DP computer/controller/process station
subject to heave, pitch and roll. The DP operator is the person on the bridge (it has various names) is a computer that
In order to maintain position, the DP takes inputs from the various environmental
system has to measure the position of and position reference sensors, then
the vessel, the forces acting on it and the
movements of the vessel itself. It must
THE OPERATOR PLAYS gives orders to the thrusters based on the
information received. This output is known
then calculate and implement the forces A VITAL ROLE IN as the thrust allocation logic (TAL), and has
necessary to counter them. MANAGING SAFETY, four components:
The DP system can be divided into How much thrust?
seven components:
AND HAS TO BE ABLE To which thrusters?
Power TO STEP IN IF THE In which direction?
Thrusters
Environmental sensors
SYSTEM FAILS For how long?

Position reference sensors Hardware/HMI

DP controller activated, the thruster sends a ‘feedback The hardware used by the DP operator
Hardware (generally referred to as the signal’ to the DP controller. Comparing to control the DP system as a whole is
HMI, or human-machine interface) the command and feedback signal is an called the human-machine interface (HMI).
DP operator important method to see if the thrusters are This includes the display, the DP control
When all components work well together, functioning well. station, the joystick for manual control of
the DP systems function as one. The the thrusters, and so on. It is important that
operator – that is, the human – is a key Environmental sensors DP operators are thoroughly familiar with
part of the system. To work well within it, is Environmental forces acting on the vessel the HMI – this is your workstation! The HMI
important to have the right training and skills make it move forward and aft, and port and must be designed to make the operator's
– and to keep those skills updated. starboard. These movements are measured job easy and ergonomically safe.
by the position reference sensors, which then
Power pass this information to the DP controller. In The operator (That’s YOU!)
The power system consists of the prime turn, the DP controller sends instructions to Last, but certainly not least, Dynamic
mover (usually a diesel engine), alternator, the thrusters to counter those movements Positioning operators (DPOs) are
cables, switchboard, bus tie breakers and and maintain the vessel’s position. appropriately qualified and experienced
power management system. DP vessels The three most common environmental personnel who operate the DP system.
are divided into classes according to the sensors are: Usually, they are deck watchkeeping
level of redundancy that is built into their Wind sensor: This measures the speed officers who have graduated to be
system. The higher the class of the vessel, and direction of the wind. As the wind DPOs after following a recognised
the more complex and high-risk the tasks acts upon the ship’s side, this may result training scheme.
that it can carry out. in some movement (drift). The DP system DP qualification and training standards
must generate an equal and opposite are set by The NI, in association with the
Thrusters thrust to counter this unwanted movement. DP Training and Executive Group, which
Modern-day DP vessels may be fitted with Motion reference sensor: Movements is made up of representatives from major
several thrusters. They may have different in the vertical axis (roll, pitch and heave) DP operators and training centres. Once
types of thrusters, depending upon the may cause unwanted movements in the the initial training has been completed,
equipment class, design criteria and type of position sensors. A motion reference unit candidates must complete a set number of
jobs they are engaged in. can measure all three movements so that days of DP experience.
Bow and stern thrusters are usually the DP controller can counter them. This is an important and complex role,
required to turn the vessel to control its yaw Gyro compass: The gyro compass and qualifications have to be renewed
movements and sway moments. These measures the heading and rate of turn every five years to ensure your knowledge
are also called tunnel thrusters, as they are of the vessel. A DP class 2 vessel is remains up-to-date.
fitted inside a tunnel. expected to have three gyro compasses Dynamic Positioning as a system and as
All types of thrusters are controlled by to ensure redundancy. a technology is here to stay, and will grow
the DP controllers with the help of signals. more and more important as it finds new
The DP controller sends an ‘output signal’, Position reference sensors areas and applications. It is a fascinating
also known as the ‘command signal’ to the These measure the ship's position, or and rewarding way to expand your skills as
respective thruster. Once the command is movement on the horizontal plane. A DP a seafarer.
February 2024 | The Navigator | 5
 DP APPLICATIONS

How Dynamic Positioning

helps offshore vessels
remain stable and safe

T
Qasim Masood AFNI, Head he technology behind Dynamic many other DP applications in other sectors
Positioning (DP) has been gaining as well – but it gives some idea of the far-
of Qualifications Marine and traction across many different reaching impact of the technology and the
Offshore at The Nautical industries and applications for opportunities that it offers.
decades now. One particularly
Institute, examines the wide key point in its development has been the Drill ships
variety of ships, support critical part it has played – and continues to A drill ship or vessel is mainly used for drilling
play – in keeping drilling and offshore oil and operations, with some used for exploration,
vessels and specialist craft gas ships and vessels safe. and some to help maintain existing oil wells.
that use Dynamic Positioning The use of DP as a safety tool has made Traditionally, they can be bottom standing,
the versatile technology extremely popular self-elevating, moored or controlled by
to ensure their safety in the in the offshore sector. This article outlines DP. Drill ships that use DP can hold their
offshore oil and gas industry just some of the specialist vessels employed position extremely effectively. This offers a
in this sector that use DP, and ways in safer way of steadying the vessel, compared
which that technology is important. This is to traditional mooring methods and
not a comprehensive list – and there are cumbersome anchor handling techniques.
6 | The Navigator | February 2024
 DP APPLICATIONS

There are economic advantages to

THE USE OF DP AS A Rock-dumping vessels
using DP on drill ships too, such as weight A rock-dumping vessel covers entrenched
savings due to not having to factor in SAFETY TOOL HAS pipeline or cables with rocks for safety
heavy mooring arrangements. This adds MADE THE VERSATILE purposes. Again, this requires DP support
value in deep-water, large-scale oil wells,
as well as in small oil fields. There are still
TECHNOLOGY to maintain position and accuracy during
operations. Technologically advanced rock-
some safety factors to consider, however, EXTREMELY POPULAR dumping vessels may also use ROVs to
such as the risk of the vessel losing its IN THE OFFSHORE assist in this work.
position due to a failure in the DP system.
Preventative measures must be taken to
SECTOR Anchor-handling vessels
mitigate against this risk. Anchor-handling vessels are used to
While laying/repairing cable, the vessel uses control the anchor on offshore installations.
Diving support vessels DP in ‘track follow’ or ‘auto track’ mode to They are more commonly known as AHV
Diving support vessels act as a base for trace the cable exactly. or AHTS.
offshore diving work. They are equipped Pipe-layers, or pipe laying DP vessels
with diving equipment and used to support require additional input over and above the Floating production storage and offloading vessels
underwater work, such as maintaining oil usual DP sensors. The vessel’s DP system (FPSO) and shuttle tankers
pipes and continuous intervention measures must be able to sense and compensate for An FPSO is used for producing and storing
at subsea level. additional forces caused by pipes acting oil, which must then be offloaded to a
Diving support vessels rely on DP to on the DP system, and has special sensors shuttle tanker or a pipeline. Transfer to
keep them steady in one position. This to allow for this. Pipe layers may also use the tanker is simplified by the use of a DP
ensures the safety of the divers and the support vessels and equipment such as system, which helps the FPSO maintain a
viability of the work being performed. ROVs, cranes, subsea cranes and survey riser angle for safe operations.
Subsea launch/recovery work, whether it and inspection activities. A shuttle tanker travels between shore
occurs in open waters or near an asset, and offshore to offload the oil produced
is risky, and divers' lives may depend on Supply vessels by the FPSO. Both FPSO and shuttle
the vessel remaining in one position (see Offshore support vessels (OSVs) are tankers use a special mode of DP called
incident report, p 7). Safety must be the speciality ships designed to provide ‘weathervane mode’ to maximise their safety
top priority. logistical support to offshore facilities and during operations.
platforms. It is extremely useful for a vessel
Remotely operated vehicle support vessel to be able to hold position without mooring Heavy lift or crane vessels
A DP vessel acting as a support vessel for while supplies etc. are transferred. The class Heavy lift or crane vessels are used in
a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in deep of DP used by each one is influenced by offshore industrial missions where large
water will use position reference systems, the types of supplies being carried, the size loads need to be picked up/placed down.
wind sensors, motion sensors and gyro of the vessel in question and the regions in Most large lift vessels work at surface level
compasses to help it to keep track of the which it operates. What remains consistent, or at very shallow depths. Heavy lift/crane
ROV. The DP systems help the DP vessel however, is the key role that DP plays in vessels must have special arrangements
launch, operate and recover the ROV safely. ensuring their safety and that of the offshore for ballasting and de-ballasting during lifting
Depending upon the type of ROV being platforms they work alongside. operations in order to ensure stability.
handled, it may have its own launching
and recovery system. In order to track or Well-stimulation vessels Accommodation barges / vessels
follow the ROV during operations, the ROV Well-stimulation vessels provide offshore Accommodation vessels/barges provide
support vessel uses a DP mode called intervention by injecting high-pressure accommodation to workers on an
‘follow target’ or ‘follow sub’. chemicals into an oil well to stimulate adjacent rig/vessel/facility. Sometimes,
It is important for the ROV control and productivity, so keeping them stable and in accommodation on the facility itself is
the DPO to work closely together to avoid one position is vital. These vessels may be insufficient or unsafe, so these barges are
the ROV becoming entangled with the taut fitted with chemical tanks and blenders. positioned nearby instead.
wire or hydroacoustic position reference
(HPR) beacon/s connecting the support Dredgers
vessel to the ROV. Dredgers are used to dredge out a These are just a few of the operations
particular area, which may need to be a where DP-enabled vessels vessels provide
Cable layers and pipe layers very specific shape and size – for example specialised services – and in each and every
A cable layer, or cable-laying vessel, is used in port construction or maintaining or one of these cases, safety is the priority. IMCA
to position cables or repair those already in widening a channel. The accuracy of M 117 Code of Practice for The Training and
place. These vessels work in both shallow dredgers can be enhanced by using DP. Experience of Key DP Personnel highlights
and deep waters and, in some cases, in The vessel’s class may depend upon the the need for appropriate training for DP
ice waters. Onboard cable carousels can type of dredging operation and the level of professionals worldwide.
store thousands of tons of cable at any time. accuracy it requires.
February 2024 | The Navigator | 7
 watch out
In this series, we take a look at maritime accident reports and the lessons that can be learned

DP system failure on diving support

vessel leads to serious incident
What happened? Why did it happen? What changes have been made?
Two divers working from a dive  he DP system failed due to a
T Investigations and discussions were
support vessel were carrying out valve number of technical faults, which launched immediately after the incident,
operations for barrier testing. While caused a loss of communications including a number of engagement
they were underwater, the vessel’s DP between the control computer sessions with key stakeholders.
system suffered a malfunction. This and its positioning references and A project looking at improvements
caused its alarms to activate, quickly environmental signals. The system’s to diving and marine operations
followed by a loss of all analogue and thruster command signals moved was also established, including
digital signals. The vessel started to drift to zero thrust and the ‘gyro ready’ examination of various aspects of bell
away from its position. The divers were signals failed, leading to heading staging, diving equipment and DP
pulled along with it and instructed to and position dropout and the vessel control systems.
return to the bell staging immediately. drifting off position. An educational film was made to
While the first diver was able to The movement of the ship dragged highlight the issues arising from the
return to the dive support vessel safely, the divers away from where they incident and champion the bravery of
his colleague was not so fortunate. His were working underwater. As they those involved in the rescue.
umbilical line caught on a transponder were pulled along by the drifting
bucket on the face of the drilling vessel, the umbilical line of the
template, cutting off his main oxygen second diver snagged and he
supply and severing communications. became disconnected from his main
The Master steered the vessel manually oxygen supply.
to move as close as possible to the The diver also lost communications
stranded diver, who was by now with the dive support vessel during
unconscious on the seabed. The diver the incident, meaning that the diving
who had made it back to safety returned support vessel’s Master had to use his
to the water and rescued his colleague. locator beacon and steer manually to
Both divers were put in decompression find and rescue him from the seabed.
chambers onboard the vessel and went The Master’s training and skill made it
on to make full recoveries. possible to keep the vessel in position
while the rescue was carried out.

AS TH
EY W
BY TH ERE PULL
THE U E DRIFTING ED ALONG
M
SECON BILICAL LIN VESSEL,
D
HE BE DIVER SNA E OF THE
FROM CAME DISC GGED AND
HIS M
AIN OX ONNECTED
YGEN
SUPPL
Y
Read the full report at: https://www.imca-int.com/safety-events/serious-dp-diving-incident/

The Nautical Institute’s Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS) - https://www.nautinst.org/resource-library/mars.html - comprises a fully
searchable database of incident reports and lessons, updated every month. If you have witnessed an accident or seen a problem, email Captain
Paul Drouin at [email protected] and help others learn from your experience. All reports are confidential – we will never identify you or your ship.
Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme

8 | The Navigator | February 2024

 Navigating?
WHO’S

From Dynamic Positioning to

marine consultancy
Tow Master and Marine Consultant Tom Feakins discusses the career
opportunities that his DP training has given him

What led you to pursue a career in the next five years. I am also keen to
at sea? assist wherever I can in spreading the
Initially, I went to work at sea as an AB as knowledge of careers at sea to others,
it was a good opportunity to both travel including the opportunities that DPO
and work. Once I started at sea, I realised training can bring.
that I really enjoyed the work, culture and
learning a great deal from different ship What do you think are the main
types. I then went on to study for my advantages for ships operating a
OOW and by the time I had my Master’s DP system?
Certificate of Competency, I had worked For prolonged, accurate position-keeping,
on a wide variety of ships, including as DP is very good. However, I would also
an Senior Dynamic Positioning Operator say that DP operators need to have good
(SDPO) in the North Sea. I now run knowledge of ship handling in order to
a marine consultancy business. fully understand the vessels they are
Working at sea for me has been, and working on. I was fortunate to work on
continues to be, a great career, with ships before DP was quite as prevalent
many opportunities. as it is now, so I learnt how to drive ships
manually and then went on to discover
Where do you see yourself in five how DP was able to help with this.
years' time? Ten?
In five years’ time, I aim to still be What career opportunities and
working as a tow master and marine openings have your own training and
consultant with increased project and skills in DP provided you with to date?
tow exposure Also to be providing legal My SDPO experience provided me
advice on shipping disputes. I have with a wealth of knowledge about DP
recently started work on a few projects operations. This has been very useful
with The Nautical Institute, which in helping me understand the risks
is enjoyable and allows and opportunities around towing,
me to put back time decommissioning and marine operations
and enthusiasm into in the oil and gas and wind industries.
an industry that has DP is an extremely interesting part of the
provided me with maritime industry, and one which exposes
so much. Hopefully operators to a wide variety of vessel types
this will also develop and operations.

DP OPERATORS NEED TO HAVE GOOD

KNOWLEDGE OF SHIP HANDLING IN
ORDER TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE
VESSELS THEY ARE WORKING ON

February 2024 | The Navigator | 9

 waypoint George Shaw FRIN

Taking back control

George Shaw from the Royal Institute of Navigation looks at feedback control
systems in DP and asks what safety lessons can be learned from the marine
and aviation sectors when it comes to their use

Feedback control systems occur widely in characteristics augmentation system) led to

the natural world. A sensor detects what’s two tragic aircraft crashes that killed all 346
happening in a given situation and feeds passengers and crew members onboard.
back the information to the system it is In both situations, a single attitude sensor
linked to. This feedback is then used to was set up to force the nose of the aircraft
inform and make adjustments to correct down if a stall condition was detected.
an error or achieve a desired result. The sole sensor failed and the aircraft’s
For decades, autopilot technology has pilots struggled to intervene to correct (or
made use of feedback control systems even disengage) the misplaced demands
to support safe navigation of aircraft and of the MCAS. Irrecoverable flight instability
ships. However, despite long experience ensued. The pilots’ handbooks provided
of using them, outcomes can still go inadequate training to handle the situation
spectacularly awry. and the cockpit system did not give
When it comes to marine vessels, sufficient warnings.
DP usually controls two or more of the SAFETY MUST COME FIRST When propulsion control is used for DP
ship’s dynamical parameters: position and maritime navigation, it can improve
displacements, rotations or rates of - ALL INTERVENTIONS manoeuvrability for larger ships, but it also
change. While skilled mariners can readily MUST PRIMARILY has its own inherent control limitations. In
disengage the autopilot setting on their ship SAFEGUARD THE VESSEL, November 2023, the Spirit of Discovery
whenever they need to take over manual cruise vessel, fitted with innovative
navigation, taking back control during a PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT propulsion capable of vectoring thrust over
DP operation can be problematic due to AND INFRASTRUCTURE a full 360°, encountered problems during
the tighter tolerances involved. The limited a storm in the Bay of Biscay. As part of its
speed of human reactions and the precision safety response, the vessel veered sharply
required to make incredibly accurate insufficient power to meet the demands and stopped for a prolonged period. This
corrections may prevent a DP operator from made of them by the system. The dynamics action severely traumatised the passengers
continuing operations manually in certain can become uncontrollable. In adverse and injured around 100 people.
circumstances – exiting the operation circumstances, the control loop itself can DP operators need to understand and
safely may be the best option. Safety must become unstable, causing the dynamic closely monitor system behaviour and
come first – all interventions must primarily responses to oscillate or move the vessel warnings, and continuously assess when
safeguard the vessel, personnel, equipment away from its intended position. and how it is necessary to intervene. Good
and infrastructure. seamanship is essential, as is enhanced
The feedback control systems used Lessons to be learned training and experience.
in DP have their own inherent limitations, The maritime sector can learn from the As autonomous systems become more
even when they are fault-free. Sensor experiences of the aviation industry in commonplace, control systems related to
measurements may not consistently terms of human factors interacting with DP will become an increasingly significant
meet tight position tolerances, which dynamic control systems, and the effect part of navigation. Mariners actively
could be less than a metre. In challenging this can have on safety. In 2018/19, seeking to improve their DP skills should
environments such as strong gusts of wind problems with the Boeing 747 MAX be well placed to meet future challenges at
or freak waves, a ship’s thrusters may have stall-prevention MCAS (manoeuvring sea and onshore.

Contact RIN at: www.rin.org.uk | 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AT | Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 3134
10 | The Navigator | February 2024
 10
take 5
Human element
Although DP is essentially an automated technical system,
human involvement is absolutely vital. DP operators must know
how to use the system safely and correctly and what to do if
something goes wrong.

6
Risk management
DP is often used in high-risk activities. This risk is managed by
reliable technical systems and skilled human operators with
AIS is a hugely important tool for vessel safety and advanced training and competencies – and it is important to
navgation, and its evolution is both rapid and ongoing. maintain those skills.

Here are ten important things to remember about AIS.

7
1
Openings and opportunities
Setting the standard
DP training is not covered in STCW (part A) training because the
industry works together to self-regulate to a very high standard.
DP operations are a specialist skill-set that will enable navigators The industry sets its own standards, accredits training centres
to expand their opportunities to work in many different areas and certifies its own operators.
of shipping. It requires a much more advanced skillset than the

8
standard officer of the watch ticket.

2
Wide scope
Back to school
Learning lessons from incidents plays an important role in DP
operations. A robust safety programme from the International
As technology becomes cheaper, more ships are being built Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) allows incidents to be
‘DP ready’. DP technology is used in offshore energy, diving reported, analysed and corrective action shared with the industry.
support, cable/pipe laying and even cruise and yachts that need

9
to ‘anchor’ without harming the seabed.

3
Feedback and control
How can I become a DP Operator?
You will need a combination of training courses, validated seatime
on DP vessels, assessment, and opportunities to maintain your
The DP system measures the six ‘degrees of freedom’ – heave, skills through CPD and revalidation. www.nialexisplatform.org
pitch, roll, surge, sway yaw – and uses thruster power to

10
counter them and hold the vessel in place or on track.

4
Redundancy and resilience
Mentoring
Ask experienced DP operators questions about the systems
and their experiences working on them (pick your moment well,
DP systems depend on redundancy for resilience. This can though!) For experienced DP operators, share your knowledge
include separate engine rooms, bridges, electrical supplies, with others to improve overall safety.
computer controllers and even multiple positioning sensors that
do not rely on GNSS systems, which share a common weakness.

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February 2024 | The Navigator | 11

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