IMCA Issues Guidance to Assist Analysis and Testing of DP Systems

Published on 8 January 2019

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published ‘Guidance to Identify DP System Components and their Failure Modes‘ (IMCA M 247). The new document complements the Association’s existing guidance on Dynamic Positioning (DP).

Captain Andy Goldsmith, IMCA’s Marine Technical Adviser, said: “Unexpected events that jeopardise station keeping integrity are regularly reported via the IMCA DP Station Keeping Report Scheme. This new IMCA guidance document is intended to assist in minimising such events and provide guidance for those involved in the analysis and testing of DP systems.”

IMCA M 247 identifies the different components of a DP system and provides guidance on how these systems might fail. DP Practitioners can use it for the production, review and testing of Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA), and annual DP trials. By following the guidance in this document, it contributes to the continuing improvement and reliability of DP operations.