Learning the lessons, reporting DP incidents

Published on 1 October 2012

In recent years there has been an increasing scrutiny of DP incidents, due, amongst other things, to high profile maritime incidents. Ian Giddings, Technical Adviser – Marine, at the International marine Contractors Association (IMCA) will be addressing ‘Learning the Lessons, Reporting DP Incidents’ at the forthcoming Marine Technology Society’s Dynamic Positioning Conference – DP 2012, being held 9-10 October in Houston, Texas.

“The voluntary reporting of station keeping incidents on DP vessels to IMCA for analysis has operated for over 25 years,” he explains. “In my presentation I will be looking at that system, including the lessons learned both about the DP incidents themselves and the DP incident reporting system.

“Then I will address the concept of taking DP incident reporting and analysis forward through planned revision of the system in order to bring more benefits to those who use it, including attempting to answer some of the more difficult questions which arise such as ‘what is a DP station keeping incident?’, ‘what should be reported?’ and ‘are the lessons being learned?’.”

Ian Giddings believes that the DP sector can learn from other similar incident reporting and analysis systems such as the Mariners Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS) from the Nautical Institute, the UK Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP) and the reports produced by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

His presentation is scheduled to take place at 3.00pm on Tuesday 9 October.

Guidance and technical reports
IMCA publishes a variety of guidance documents available for downloading free of charge to members and non-members alike, setting out industry good practice based on the cumulative experience of its members operating around the world to help them in ensuring safe and efficient operations. A key document in relation to DP is the Guidelines for the design and operation of dynamically positioned vessels (IMCA M 103), which is currently under review and will be updated to reflect technological developments and operational achievements.

IMCA also works closely with other organisations (notably holding observer status at IMO) where it can represent members, put forward their expertise and assist in ensuring national/international regulations and other industry documents appropriately reflect the industry, its technology and successful self-regulation where relevant.

A range of documents also address trials programmes and auditing of DP vessels, helping set out comprehensive formats that can be widely adopted and recognised by vessel operators and their clients, ensuring all relevant aspects are addressed and further enhancing efficiency for all parties.

Technical reports are also commissioned, aimed at helping vessel operators review, specify, maintain and use a variety of positioning systems, thrusters, power and vessel management systems and other equipment.

Full information on the range of documents relating to DP can be found in the marine publications section at www.imca-int.com.