In 1997 IMCA produced IMCA M 139 – Standard report for DP vessels’ annual trials. The template was widely accepted and was used, with a few modifications, by the vast majority of vessel operators following IMCA guidance.

In June 2011 IMCA published IMCA M 190 - Guidance for developing and conducting annual DP trials programmes for DP vessels. That document provides guidance on how to develop a suitable annual DP trials programme which is consistent in content to similar vessels, more effectively demonstrates the vessel’s ability to maintain position following identified single failures, demonstrates that the dynamic positioning (DP) system is in good working order, contributes to the effective management of the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) and ensures best use of the time available for DP system tests by more effectively identifying items which do not need to be tested every year or whose reliability can be demonstrated by other means. It also contains an example of an annual DP trials report.

This document (IMCA M 212) replaces IMCA M 139 and reflects the guidance in IMCA M 190. IMCA M 190 should be consulted for further guidance on completing the annual trials reports.