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DP controller problems – DP undesired event

Considerations of the IMCA Marine DP Committee from the above event:

  • Redundancy was lost; therefore, a yellow alert should be initiated.
  • Good practice is to acknowledge and investigate the cause of alarms, even if they are intermittent, otherwise alarms can be missed.
  • It should be noted that good practice is to restart the DP controllers as part of field entry trials and practice restart procedure during DP operational drills.
  • The wisdom of having 4 DGNSS selected to the DP should be questioned.  They are likely to be susceptible to similar faults and therefore provide a false sense of security.  Also, the use of 4 position reference systems of the same type would create a bias and therefore dilute the effectiveness of the other selected systems.

DP Event

Published: 29 May 2018
Download: IMCA DPE 02/18

Classification:
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The following case studies and observations have been compiled from information received by IMCA. All vessel, client, and operational data has been removed from the narrative to ensure anonymity.

Case studies are not intended as guidance on the safe conduct of operations, but rather to assist vessel managers, DP operators and DP technical crew in appropriately determining how to safely conduct their own operations. Any queries should be directed to IMCA at dpreports@imca-int.com. Members and non-members alike are welcome to contact IMCA if they have experienced DP events which can be shared anonymously with the DP industry.

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