DP event investigation and testing inside the 500m zone
- DP Event
- Published on 29 March 2017
- Generated on 16 August 2025
- DPE 01/17
- 1 minute read
Incident
The vessel should have proceeded out of the 500m zone to a safe area prior to investigating the fault and conducting tests.
Comments
The report concluded that the vessel should have proceeded out of the 500m zone to a safe area prior to investigating the fault and conducting tests.
Considerations
- There is no doubt that in circumstances such as this, where investigation and testing is required following a DP event, it should be conducted in a safe location and as a minimum outside the 500m zone.
- The DP system’s level of redundancy always needs to be considered during investigation and testing.
- It is not evident from the report, but it is wondered whether complacency contributed to this bad practice.
- The original reported DP alarm should have resulted in a DP yellow alert.
- The vessel might have considered using the independent joystick (IJS) rather than individual levers.
- Emergency handling of the vessel should be practised on a regular basis.
Latest DP incidents
-
Always be prepared – Erroneous relative GPS heading input jeopardises follow target operations
Always be prepared – Erroneous relative GPS heading input jeopardises follow target operations
DPE 02/25
1 August 2025
Incident
-
Printer compatibility
This undesired event occurred on a DP Class 3 drillship, whilst operating in open bus configuration and undertaking drilling operations.
DPE 02/25
1 August 2025
Undesired event
-
Inadvertent act causes loss of DP, once again!
While vessel was recovering scrap metal using an ROV and crane, an alarm was triggered, but the DPO could not silence it
DPE 02/25
1 August 2025
Incident
-
Beware the solitons
An equipment class 2 pipelay vessel was engaged in pipelay operations in an area known for solitons
DPE 02/25
1 August 2025
Undesired event
-
DP drill scenario
DP emergency drill scenarios are included to assist DP vessel management and DPOs / Engineers and ETOs to conduct DP drills onboard.
DPE 02/25
1 August 2025
Drill Scenario
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.
Any queries should be directed to DP team at IMCA. Share your DP incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive DP event bulletins straight to your email.