Comments: The event was investigated by the vessel operator, findings are summarised here: Human factors: The DPO was left alone at the DP console during critical subsea operations. In such […]
DP Event Bulletins
DP station keeping event bulletins enhance the traditional reporting and analysis of dynamic positioning station keeping events and incidents. They ensure that the industry is provided with prompt feedback, including anonymous factual case studies of events reported to IMCA.
Individual DP events are available individually online, tagged and searchable, while the traditional PDF collections are also available for download.
To be included into the subscription list for the DP Event Bulletin emails, email communications@legacy.imca-int.com
Submit a Report
All members are encouraged to contribute relevant DP information by using our reporting template which is available under Submit a Report where you will also see details on how to submit your information.
IMCA Contact
Richard Purser
Technical Adviser - Marine
Contact
DP Events
Check of the UPS led to loss of power – DP incident
Comments: At approximately 1555 the ETO came to the bridge and asked the Senior DPO permission to enter the electronics room to check the UPS batteries. The SDPO gave permission, […]
Following a track on DP causes power issues – DP incident
Comments: The report finding from the vessel concluded: The initiating event was a sudden increase of propulsion to full ahead. The main cause was attributed to the computer with unexpected […]
Both DP operating stations stopped communication – DP incident
Considerations from the above event: It is possible that as the vessel was only recently set up on DP, field arrival trials had not yet been completed. The use of […]
Loss of DGNSS resulted in ROV being recovered – DP incident
Comments Both the satellite positioning systems in use were from the same provider. The report recognised this and recommended that the systems were changed so that position information was provided […]
Load sharing imbalance causes loss of position – DP incident
Comments: The power plant was configured to work in closed bus mode. No 2 port, No 2 centre and No 2 starboard generator were online. No 1 port and No […]
DP event investigation and testing inside the 500m zone – DP incident
Comments: The report concluded that the vessel should have proceeded out of the 500m zone to a safe area prior to investigating the fault and conducting tests. Considerations from the […]
Alteration of course with COR offset causes loss of power – DP incident
Comments: The report discussed the set-up and mode selection for the thrusters and main engines during high power manoeuvres such as alteration of course and heading. The vessel standing orders […]
Fuel oil filter change leads to generator failure
Comments: During ‘routine’ rounds the engine room watchkeeper decided to replace the left filter of the duplex fuel oil filter of DG No 2. This generator was part of the […]
Separate problem with two thrusters caused loss of DP
Comments: The bow thruster gave an alarm that pitch was at maximum showing 114% on DP display. Investigation concluded that the full starboard maximum limit command/set point of the bow […]
Incorrect wiring causes loss of all propulsion
Comments: Subsequent investigation identified the following: Through extensive evaluation by numerous technicians, the main cause of the incident was found to be the improper wiring of the main and backup […]
Instability of position reference systems
Considerations from the above event: It is not clear from the report whether it was the differential correction signal or satellite constellation that was shielded, however operators need to be […]
Change of a vessel centre of rotation
Considerations from the above event: The centre of rotation should not be changed during critical operations. Because of the likely increase in length of the lever to control heading, careful […]
Marine Safety Forum Safety Flash 15-18: Collision with rig
The Marine Safety Forum has granted permission to forward a copy of their Safety Flash 15-18. The subject of the Safety Flash is ‘Collision with Rig’ and it involves a […]
DP management: Dealing with the unexpected
“It’s 04:00 hours, on the night shift. Do I really need to go through the four hourly DP checklist, for the third time tonight? I remember asking myself that same […]
System failures on offshore supply vessels
This joint safety alert (attached) has been issued by the Bureau of Safety and Environment Enforcement (BSEE) and the United States Coastguard (USCG). It addresses a dynamic positioning (DP) incident […]
Loss of three gyros on a DP-3 drill ship
Three gyro compasses connected to DP system had a ‘heading freeze’ within 5 minutes of time. What happened? Three DP System connected gyros heading froze within 5 minutes of time. […]
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