Keeping Maritime Operations Safe
Dynamic Positioning (DP) uses a complex integrated system of computers, weather sensors, navigation positioning systems, propellers and thrusters. This is high-precision technology used in high-risk situations, and it requires specialist training and skills.
Before DP certification was introduced, there were 76 DP incidents in just 10 years, between 1972 and 1982.
Concerned that lives and property were at risk, The Nautical Institute worked closely with industry leaders to develop a training and certification scheme for the sector. Since 1985, when the scheme was first introduced, safety standards have significantly risen. Over the last 10 years, IMO’s GSIS database records just two DP incidents.
Since 2010 this IMO-compliant scheme has become the industry standard. It is reviewed and updated every six months by an industry panel to keep pace with fast-changing technology and industry needs. Lessons are not just identified, but learned and shared across the entire sector, with training requirements updated to match the high safety industry standards.
The hard evidence is in the safety data. Since 2014 there have been no incidents reported in GISIS caused by DP Operator error.
This is industry-led safety in action.