Non-routine lift leads to thruster incapacity
- DP Event
- Published on 29 November 2016
- Generated on 15 August 2025
- DPE 04/16
- 1 minute read
Undesired event
The lift had not been properly planned for the object being lifted – there was a failure to recognise that the mattress was not a routine lift.
Comments
The vessel maintained position throughout. The lift had not been properly planned or risk assessed for the object being lifted. There was a failure to recognise that the mattress was not a routine lift. A generic lift plan was used which did not cover this specific lift.
Considerations
- Danger of recognising an operation as routine, when it isn’t, and therefore using inappropriate standard procedures and risk assessments.
- A situational awareness of the whole operation, involving all departments, is required.
- Was there pressure to perform the task on an inappropriate vessel heading?
- One thruster was on standby – if the lift had been identified as non-standard then possibly all thrusters would have been online.
- DP red alert was used by the DP operator (DPO), although redundancy had not been compromised. It is unknown whether this was in line with the activity specific operating guidelines (ASOG), however the DPO considered that the event had potential to escalate and therefore decided to initiate red alert.
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.