Análisis interno

Since 1984 The Nautical Institute has administered a training programme intended to provide a verifiable level of competency for DP operators. This scheme was developed as a result of the deliberations of a working committee, consisting of serving experienced DP Masters, Operations managers, representatives from the UK's Department of Transport, the UK's Department of Environment, UKOOA and the AODC, together with those concerned with training matters.

The progress of a trainee through The Nautical Institute scheme is witnessed by means of records kept in a logbook. Trainees keep their own logbooks and are responsible for maintaining the records up to date. Six phases of training constitute the recommended scheme. The six phases are:

Cnapter9 99 Operator training and human factors

i. Satisfactory completion of a shore-based DP induction or basic operator's course.

ii . Sea-going DP familiarisation. A minimum of 30 days aboard a DP-capable vessel.

ii i. Satisfactory completion of a shore-based DP Simulator or advanced operators' course.

i v. Satisfactory completion of six months supervised DP Operations.

v. Having completed phases i to iv above, trainee DPOs must obtain verification from the Masters of their vessels as to the suitability of trainees to undertake full watchkeeping responsibility on board their vessels.

vi. Issue of the certificate.

The majority of courses conducted at phases i and iii above are organised and run by nautical colleges or other training establishments.

i. The DP induction course (Phase 1)

This course is normally run at a shore-based establishment, either a nautical training establishment or at the premises of one of the manufacturers of DP systems. The induction course is of four or four and a half day's duration, and provides a balanced introduction to the principles and practice of DP operations and systems. The induction course is intended for ships' officers, already qualified as watchkeeping officers, but with little or no DP experience.

ii. Sea-going familiarisation (Phase 2)

The DP logbook contains a familiarisation log listing various activities to be completed during this one-month period, it is necessary that the vessel be engaged in DP operations for the majority of this period, and that the candidate be actively involved in the bridge watchkeeping. The successful completion of each activity must be endorsed with the signature of the vessel's Master.

iii. The DP simulator course (Phase 3)

This shore-based course is, again, of four or four and a halfday's duration. It is conducted at a training centre equipped with a sophisticated and capable DP simulator facility.

This course is intended for those who have successfully completed phases 1 and 2 of The Nautical Institute scheme. The DP simulator course provides the trainee with the opportunity to plan and conduct DP operations using a shore-based DP system.

This system is interfaced with a simulator, and is able to provide trainees with realistic simulation of DP scenarios, including error and failure mode simulation. This type of course provides realistic training in a safe environment, without incurring the risks that would accompany any such training conducted using the real-ship environment.

DP OPERA TOR'S HA NDB OOK

DP Operator's Handbook

iv. Supervised DP watchkeeping (Phase 4)

This phase is intended to allow the consolidation of the various training experiences, and to build up experience in the variety of tasks and operations conducted by DP vessels. Space is provided in the DP logbook for this experience to be detailed, suitably endorsed by the Master of the vessel/s.

v. Assessment of suitability (Phase 5)

This assessment is intended to be carried out by the Master of the vessel in which the candidate completed their DP watchkeeping within Phase 4 of the scheme. It constitutes the only actual assessment of the competence of the DPO candidate, and places the responsibility for that assessment with the person best able to comment upon the DPO candidate's competence. This assessment is recorded in the DP logbook. (See Appendix 1, Guidance to Masters of DP vessels in assessing the competency of DPO candidates).

Once this has been completed, the logbook may be forwarded to The Nautical Institute together with any supporting documentation. If all is in order, the candidate will be issued with a DP operator's certificate (Phase 6).

Grades of DP certificate

The Nautical Institute issues two grades of DPO certificate: full and limited. The full certificate is issued to those whose sea-time has been spent working in vessels of equipment Class 2 or 3.

Any officer who has undertaken the complete scheme of training, but whose service has been limited to vessels of equipment Class 1, ie where a loss of position may occur in the event of a single fault - will be issued with a certificate endorsed with the word 'limited'. In order to acquire an unlimited certificate the officer must meet the following requirements:

(a) Six months documented practical experience in the use of DP systems on units/ vessels operating in equipment Class 2 or 3.

(b) If the six-month DP watchkeeping experience has been exclusively aboard DP Class 1 vessels, a DPO certificate endorsed with the word 'limited 'will be issued. To have the limitation removed the applicant needs to accumulate the equivalent of six months DP watchkeeping experience aboard DP Class 2 or 3 vessels, where two months DP Class 1 is equivalent to one month DP Class 2. However, all applicants for such upgrading must have at least two months actual DP watchkeeping time aboard DP Class 2 or 3 vessels.

Chapter 9 101 Operator training and human factors

For details relating to the equipment classes referred to above, see IMO MSC/Circ 645, Guidelines for Vessels with Dynamic Positioning Systems, 1994. Equipment class descriptions are also contained in Chapter 3 of this handbook covering system redundancy.

The scheme described above has been running since 1984 and, as detailed elsewhere, over 50 shore-based establishments are approved for the purpose of conducting formal courses fulfilling the requirements of phases 1 and 3 of the scheme. The scheme is generally accepted as being the worldwide standard for this type of training, and is regarded as working well. The Nautical Institute maintains a central register of all certificates issued, with appropriate details.

9.3 IMO and IMCA -Training and qualification of key