UPS failure causes partial blackout
- DP Event
- Published on 29 March 2017
- Generated on 6 November 2026
- DPE 01/17
- 1 minute read
Undesired event
Jump to:
The failure of UPS No.1 and subsequent failure of the other equipment should have resulted in a DP yellow alert.
Comments
One of the fans in UPS No.1 failed causing the UPS to overheat and shut down.
The fan has been replaced and the temperature alarm tested.
Considerations
- The failure of UPS No.1 and subsequent failure of the other equipment should have resulted in a DP yellow alert.
- With redundancy compromised the vessel needed to consider a move further away from the installation and out of the 500m zone.
- Fans, filters and alarms should be adequately covered at component and sub system level by the vessel planned maintenance system.
Latest DP incidents
-
Watch what you are pressing
While transiting away from a wind farm, the Master of a DP equipment class 2 vessel observed that the vessel was operating in Backup Mode and queried this with the bridge team and attending electrician
DPE 03/26
19 October 2026
Incident
-
The domino effect
The event demonstrates the importance of maintaining the approved DP power configuration, addressing known defects before equipment is relied upon during DP operations, and ensuring DP personnel understand how changes to the generating arrangement can affect redundancy and failure propagation
DPE 03/26
19 October 2026
Incident
-
Lost in calibration
During activity associated with calibration of a vessel Vertical Reference Unit (VRU), the DP control system experienced degradation of its attitude reference arrangement. Shortly afterwards, the vessel generated an Off Position Warning followed by an Off Position Alarm
DPE 03/26
19 October 2026
Incident
-
The UPS and downs
While a vessel was transiting in DP mode, the DPO observed the loss of Gyros 2 and 3 together with alarms from a 230V backup power supply. The telephone system remained powered but was inoperable.
DPE 03/26
19 October 2026
Incident
-
DP drill scenario – Consequence Analysis Class DP2 & DP3
DP drill scenario – Consequence Analysis Class DP2 & DP3
DPE 03/26
19 October 2026
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.