DYNAMIC POSITIONING SYSTEM
DYNAMIC POSITIONING SYSTEM
These days Dynamic Positioning System Vessel or DP vessel / DP Ships are the Buzz thing with mariners. In this and subsequent Forum Posts We will try to talk not only about the Dynamic Positioning Vessel but also brief details about DP system,
DP Class,
Dynamic Positioning training,
dynamic positioning courses,
dynamic positioning operator,
dynamic positioning Companies,
Dynamic Positioning Officer and finally the
DP Courses in India.
For more information about Dynamic Positioning Training and Certification check http://www.nautinst.org/en/dynamic-positioning/index.cfm
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Dynamic Positioning System is a system by which a Marine Ship maintains her position & heading.
Similarly Dynamic Tracking enables a DP vessel to maintain a particular track and heading. To maintain this position, head or precision manoeuvrings of the DP vessel sophisticated Computer systems are used. These Dynamic Positioning Systems control the propeller and the thruster of the DP Vessel.
These operations occur at sea where mooring or anchoring is not possible due to deep water, pipelines at the bottom or other technical problems and specialized ships in the form of DP Vessel are required.
We are not going into technical jargon but in simple terms the Dynamic Positioning Systems consists mainly of 3 systems
- DYNAMIC POSITIONING REFERENCE SYSTEMS As the name suggests these system are used for reference of the vessel e.g. Position reference, heading reference, motion reference, magnitude and direction of environmental forces (wind, current etc.), depth and other reference depending on the DP Class and DP Vessel's Operation.
- DYNAMIC POSITIONING CONTROL SYSTEMS These are controllers and they use mathematical model of the ship, based on a hydrodynamic and aerodynamic description of DP Vessel characteristics. These use the data from the Reference system, does its own complex calculations as per the required DP Operation and controls the Power and Propulsion System of the DP Vessel.
- DYNAMIC POSITIONING POWER AND PROPULSION SYSTEMS Power units and the Propulsion unit of the Dynamic Positioning System consists of the Bow and stern thrusters, water jets, rudders and propellers. These control the Positioning or heading or even precision maneuvering of the DP Vessel. Most of the commands are controlled by the Control Systems. On DP Class 1 vessel the setup is simple but DP Class 2 and 3 DP ships, all computers and reference systems should be powered through a UPS.
DP vessels do not refer to a particular type of ship as any ship can install DP equipments and get itself DP classed if it complies with the classification societies requirements.
Thus a shuttle tanker involved with cargo operation with FPSO may be DP Vessel - Shuttle tanker. This is the reason why Dynamic Positioning Jobs always specify the Operation in which the DP vessel is involved. The DP Vessels, for example can be involved in the following operations
- accommodation or 'flotel' services
- Cable-laying
- Crane vessels
- Cruise ships
- Diving support vessels
- Dredging
- Drillships
- FPSOs
- heavy lift cargo
- transport
- Landing Platform Docks
- Maritime research
- Mine sweepers
- multi-role
- Pipe-laying ship
- Platform supply vessels
- Rockdumping
- Rocket launch platform
- positioning
- Sea Launch
- Servicing Aids to Navigation (ATON)
- Shuttle tankers
- Survey ships
A Dynamic Positioning Classed vessel means the vessel must have a DP class notation from a Classification Society and not simply be fitted with Dynamic Positioning equipment.
IMO has given guidance on DP equipment classification and redundancy requirements as follows
- Equipment Class 1 has no redundancy. Loss of position may occur in the event of a single fault
- Equipment Class 2 has redundancy so that no single fault in an active system will cause the system to fail.
Loss of position should not occur from a single fault of an active component or system such as generators, thruster, switchboards, remote controlled valves etc., but may occur after failure of a static component such as cables, pipes, manual valves etc. (Two independent computer systems) - Equipment Class 3 also has to withstand fire or flood in any one compartment without the system failing. Loss of position should not occur from any single failure including a completely burnt fire sub division or flooded watertight compartment. (At least two independent computer systems with a separate backup system separated by A60 class division)
Again keeping things simple (for better understanding) , Class of Dynamic Positioning Vessel can be
- Dynamic Positioning Class 1 units with class 1 equipment, used during operations where loss of position is not considered to endanger human lives, cause significant damage or cause more than minimal pollution.
- Dynamic Positioning Class 2 units with class 2 equipment, used during operations where loss of position could cause personnel injury, pollution or damage with great economic consequences.
- Dynamic Positioning Class 3 units with class 3 equipment, used during operations where loss of position could cause fatal accidents, severe pollution or damage with major economic consequences.
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