Comments: The report concluded that the DPO was conducting too many concurrent tasks so that he did not sufficiently monitor the vessel speed during the time the vessel was being […]
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
DP trial leads to partial blackout – DP undesired event
Comments: It was discovered that the 230v supply breaker was open and the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 2 batteries completely discharged. Warning alarms generated by the DP system regarding 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 […]
Pipelaying equipment short circuit causes thrusters to trip – DP undesired event
Comments: The vessel maintained position throughout. The ROV was restricted to the tether management system (TMS) until the vessel was confident of the cause of the thrusters’ unexpectedly stopping. All […]
Non-routine lift leads to thruster incapacity – DP undesired event
Comments: The vessel maintained position throughout. The lift had not been properly planned or risk assessed for the object being lifted. There was a failure to recognise that the mattress […]
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 […]
Bow thruster tripped due to lack of power
Comments: The seat for the stop solenoid on the port main engine was damaged causing a slight air leak past it, this acting on the stop cylinder piston caused a […]
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 […]
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 […]
Thruster entanglement during shuttle tanker operations
Comments: Operations were conducted according to procedures. It was concluded that the procedures for this operation needed to be modified to limit the amount of rope in the water to […]
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 […]
Thruster fault
Considerations from the above event: All available means should be used to identify the faulty thruster and then shut it down as deselecting it from the DP system might not […]
Differences between operator stations
Considerations from the above event: Whilst it is not clear what caused this event it does stress the importance of field arrival and set up tests designed to identify operator station […]
Thruster failure and unavailability
Considerations from the above event: The crew followed good procedures by suspending operations in a controlled manner ready for investigation.
Unintentional deselection of a DP control function
Considerations from the above event: This event highlights the possible consequences of deselecting critical DP system buttons. Significant changes to any system should not be made during critical phases of […]
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 […]
Power distribution
Considerations from the above event: With only two diesel generators on line the DPO must be fully aware of the consequences of a worst case failure (WCF).
Thruster unavailability
Considerations from the above event: From the information provided it would appear that the vessel is set up so as to allow for the worst case failure (WCF). Therefore, if […]
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 […]
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