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.

There then follow eight chapters detailing the specific requirements for particular DP vessel types. Topics covered in these 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