IMCA Newsroom

Press Release

THE A-Z OF DYNAMIC POSITIONING

A large, and increasing, number of marine contracting operations require the use of dynamic positioning (DP) - the use of systems which automatically control a vessel's position and heading exclusively by means of active thrust to remain at a fixed location, for precision manoeuvring, tracking or other specialist positioning abilities.

"There are now over a thousand DP-capable vessels, the majority of which are operationally related to the exploration or exploitation of oil and gas reserves," explains Hugh Williams, Chief Executive of IMCA - the International Marine Contractors Association. "Our Marine Division Management Committee and our Training, Certification & Personnel Competence Core Committee decided that the time was right to publish an introduction to DP on our website, for access by anyone eager to find out more.

"Aimed at those interested in a career offshore; mariners who have not yet caught the ‘DP bug'; and as a useful guide for anyone not specifically involved in DP operations, but who would benefit from some basic reference notes, the guide can be found at www.imca-int.com/marine - with a link too from IMCA's career pages. It provides an insight into the fascinating range of marine operations that exist in the offshore industry. Early indications from members and others are that it really hits the spot! We're grateful to the members of the IMCA Marine Division for the considerable time they spent providing the relevant information to be published."

Full of interesting facts, the introduction explains that the first vessel to fulfil the accepted definition of DP was the ‘Eureka' of 1961 (providing more information on her) and goes on to list nearly thirty activities executed by DP vessels, to look at Station Keeping, and to list both the advantages and disadvantages of DP.

Other sections cover the basic principles of dynamic positioning; elements of a DP system; position reference systems and equipment; DP operations; DP vessel operations; information for key DP personnel; DP operator training; has a useful reference section listing 22 IMCA publications on various aspects of DP; and provides a hundred acronyms and abbreviations helping surfers through an A-Z that starts with AORE (Atlantic Ocean Region East) and ends with WOAD (World Offshore Accident Databank).

Notes to Editors (common)

• IMCA is an international association with over 450 members in more than 50 countries, representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Americas Deepwater, Asia-Pacific, Europe & Africa and Middle East & India regions, as well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training. IMCA seeks to promote its members' common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
• IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports. These have been developed over the years and are widely distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document, safety recommendation, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and safety flashes.
• Judith Patten is here to help you if you want any additional information on IMCA; would like to discuss a feature article; want to organise interviews with key members of the IMCA team, etc.