IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 09/08

GUIDELINES FOR DP MODU ANNUAL TRIALS

Improving safety and performance by reducing risk is key to the work of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). With these aims in mind, they have published guidelines providing advice on undertaking the annual dynamic positioning (DP) trials for DP mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) on a continual basis throughout the year.

The use of the traditional annual DP trial, where all of the DP tests are carried out at a specific time once a year, has not been widely accepted and taken up for DP MODUs because their continuous work programmes do not usually provide suitable non-operational periods that can be used for such an approach.

"The new guidelines, designed to provide a common approach for DP MODU annual trials, propose a method of achieving safety and performance by carefully managed testing of all important systems and components of a DP system to ensure that it is maintained in good working order," explains Jane Bugler, IMCA's technical director. "Particular focus is placed on verifying the conditions from the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) that are difficult or impossible to verify by any other method.

"The trial programme may be conducted on an incremental basis throughout the year as opportunities arise, but needs to be completed within a twelve month period. The guidance stresses that an annual verification exercise should be carried out to ensure that the various tests identified in the annual trials programme have been completed. We would like to emphasise that it is our view that it is best to undertake the trials in one go if possible; and to also stress that this new publications is for the special case of MODUs only."

The new guidelines (IMCA M 191) is available for downloading from the members-only website, with additional printed copies available to members at £2.50; and non-members at £5.00 (plus 20% for delivery outside Europe) from IMCA.

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.
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