To enable standardisation in the production of capability plots, IMCA prepared this specification for production of capability plots for DP vessels. The use of this standard specification enables direct comparison of individual vessels' performances and provides an indication of station keeping ability in a common format.

The format has been developed utilising input from thruster manufacturers and with industry experience contributed by members. The June 2000 revision was prompted by revised wind coefficients published in API RP2SK and to correct errors in Table 3 - peak and cross periods were the wrong way round and have been corrected. Appendix 1 has also been redrafted to make it clearer.