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DP Loss of Position Incidents Report Triggers Review
01 Jun 2003
Computers, particularly on vessels with integrated control systems, are seen as an increasingly common cause of dynamic positioning (DP) loss of position incidents. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has recently published its 22nd consecutive annual Station Keeping Incidents report, covering incidents that took place in 2001. Of the 21 serious (Position Loss 1) incidents covered in the report, the DP operator was only the primary cause of three although a case could be made to show operator error was a factor in many more.
With safety very much at the heart of all work undertaken by IMCA on behalf of its members, these incidents are a cause for concern and have resulted in a major review of the safety/reliability of DP systems being undertaken by IMCA this year. The review will work through all elements of DP systems and use failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) as one of its key investigative tools. The work is being carried out in the light of two recent DP incidents involving single failure modes that vessel FMEA had not identified.
The IMCA is also investigating DP use on offshore supply vessels, with work underway to produce guidelines that will encourage a consistent approach throughout the industry. The study is a collaborative one involving clients, supply vessel operators and IMCA contractors. A working group has been established and the guidelines are due for publication later this year.
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