IMCA Marine Division

Publication Details

Guidelines for the Design & Operation of Dynamically Positioned Vessels

One of IMCA's Marine Division's key documents, these guidelines represent a practical amalgamation of current regulations, operating procedures and good practice. They aim provide a standard that is both achievable and an enhancement to safety if followed in principle.

The document commences with a section setting out on the basic principles to be applied to all dynamically positioned (DP) vessels in the following areas:

1. Basic philosophy
2. Scope of dynamic positioning
3. Extent of dynamic positioning FMEA proving trials
4. System capability definition
5. Operation, training and documentation
6. DP equipment characteristics
7. Weather precautions
8. International, government and regulatory organisation requirements
9. Training

There then follow eight chapters detailing the specific requirements for the following particular DP vessel types:

1. Diving support vessels
2. Drilling vessels
3. Floating production units
4. Accommodation vessels
5. Crane vessels
6. Shuttle tankers
7. Pipelay vessels
8. ROV support vessels

Topics covered in these eight chapters include:

• Design philosophy
• Redundancy
• Communications
• DP alert system
• Shallow water
• Operations
• Personnel responsibilities and capabilities
• Training and experience

First produced for DPVOA in 1991, the document has been thoroughly reviewed and updated. In particular, this latest revision reflects: IMO acceptance of IMCA M 117 - The Training and Experience of Key DP Personnel; the increasing number of DP class 3 vessels being constructed; technological developments; work in deeper waters; the publication of the ISO standard on station keeping. The supplement on two-vessel operations previously available as IMCA M 161 and is now incorporated as the final chapter in this guidance.

The document references a number of key industry documents and includes an extensive glossary of terms.

Related Publications:
International Guidelines for the Safe Operation of Dynamically Positioned Offshore Supply Vessels (cross-industry publication)