On a typical OSV, vessel is expected to visit as many as 5-6 platform a day to deliver receive cargo and enter the nearest port to top-up every week.ĭue to the smaller size of vessel, say a length of 60-70m for an OSV, more rolling and pitching in the rough seas is experienced. Life onboard a DP (offshore) vessel is quite different from that of a main fleet vessel. To run so many thrusters, a large numbers of generators and control systems are fitted on the ship, keeping the ETO and the Chief Engineer busy. In addition, a joystick is provided to manually control all the thrusters collectively in the desired direction. It is also helped by a software model, which maintains memory of the environmental forces acting on the vessel.ĭuring the DP mode, it is totally hands-off and requires operators intervention only on failures. It can change position quickly and is capable of working in deep as well as shallow waters.ĭynamic Positioning is done with the help of a central computer which controls all the thrusters depending upon the input it receives from reference systems and gyro. In DP, position-keeping is done with the help of thrusters, arranged in longitudinal and athwart ship direction, controlling all the three axes of movement i.e.Ī DP vessel has inherent advantage over the conventional mooring type vessel as it doesnt require assistance of tugs to take position. These days, a DP vessel operating as close as 10m from a platform, can reliably maintain position within a meter of excursion thus helping in various offshore operations which require high level of accuracy.ĭP is regularly being used in offshore vessels like offshore support vessels (OSV), diving support vessels (DSV), heavy lift cranes, construction vessels, drilling ships, survey vessels, pipelay vessels and many others.Īs a matter of fact these days DP is even being installed in larger passenger vessels, tankers, dredgers etc.
It will be my endeavor to satisfy some of these queries in the succeeding paragraphs.ĭynamic Positioning in the offshore industry, is not new as it came into being in the year 1961, but its only from 1977 that technical advancements brought in the high accuracy in position-keeping, which in turn increased the usability and importance of DP in the offshore industry. These questions range from simply knowing about DP, prevailing working conditions in offshore, pay perks to more career oriented queries such as promotional prospects and certification etc.
If you happen to be one of them then DP is the gateway to a career in offshore, as most of the offshore vessels are getting equipped with DP system.Īfter working in DP field for a decade and teaching at various DP training centers, I have come across a number of seafarers who had many queries about DP.
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