Over the past ten years, IMCA has produced a considerable number of gudiance documents to assist its members in commissioning and carrying out failure modes and effects analyses (FMEAs) of dynamically positioned (DP) vessels. In 2003, a comprehensive introduction to dynamic positioning was added to the website. However, there has not previously been a suitable guide to assist decision makers and implementation professionals within the industry to assess quickly and easily the minimum requirements for carrying out an FMEA on a new vessel and to assist them in ensuring that existing FMEAs either already meet suitable standards or are reviewed and updated to the required level.

This document, intended as a concise framework guide, outlines the steps to be taken under different scenarios using flowsheets and then goes on to address the basic questions likely to be asked by managers and professionals. It directs them to relevant industry guidance and standards necessary to achieve the high level of assurance against single point failures required in the offshore industry.