DP undesired event due to online maintenance work
- DP Event
- Published on 25 February 2020
- Generated on 21 February 2026
- DPE 01/20
- 1 minute read
Undesired event
Highlighting the benefit of considering mission equipment in risk assessments and that the results of repairs are not always guaranteed.
Comments
The vessel reported that they had changed these modules in the past whilst on DP without any issues. The risk assessment had identified that the consequence would not lead to loss of equipment greater than worst case and proceeded due to the status of the vessel operations, open water and not connected to the seabed.
Considerations
- Incident validates the redundant capability of the vessel, but also potentially highlights a hidden failure leading to generator two failure.
- The report did not identify the root cause for the loss of equipment whilst replacing the RMP module, a successful online activity undertaken previously.
- This event highlights the benefit of considering mission equipment during risk assessments;
- It also event highlights that expected results of repairs are not always guaranteed.
- As far as is possible, maintenance or replacement of critical DP equipment should not be done while conducting DP operations.
- In this instance, it would have been prudent for ROVs to return to their TMS and the crane made safe prior to undertaking the work.
Latest DP incidents
-
Simultaneous Operations
A DP Incident report highlighting the importance of maintaining focus during time on the DP desk
DPE 03/25
18 December 2025
Incident
-
Importance of familiarisation and paying attention
The importance of maintaining full attention during the operator's time on the DP desk can never be underestimated, or forgotten
DPE 03/25
18 December 2025
Incident
-
Worst case failure preparedness
Operators must be prepared for worst case failures
DPE 03/25
18 December 2025
Incident
-
Know your settings
This Dynamic Positioning (DP) incident involved a DP equipment class 2 offshore supply vessel (OSV) during loadout operations from a drilling rig.
DPE 03/25
18 December 2025
Incident
-
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 03/25
18 December 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.