Bow thruster fault compromises redundancy
- DP Event
- Published on 2 June 2017
- Generated on 21 February 2026
- DPE 02/17
- 1 minute read
Undesired event
After an event such as this, planned maintenance routines should be checked to ensure they are adequate.
Comments
The vessel was working in an open water situation and there was no loss of position.
Considerations
- Useful reporting of an undesired event that did not result in a loss of position.
- After an event such as this, planned maintenance routines should be checked to ensure they are adequate.
- Particulars of the vessel are unknown however it might have been possible to power the two remaining bow thrusters from either side of the switchboard and therefore maintain redundancy with just two bow thrusters.
- This was a well executed operation that ensured full thruster redundancy options were made available prior to operations resuming.
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The case studies and observations above have been compiled from information received by IMCA. All vessel, client, and operational data has been removed from the narrative to ensure anonymity. Case studies are not intended as guidance on the safe conduct of operations, but rather to assist vessel managers, DP operators, and technical crew.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information, but it is not liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
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