Key DP Personnel in the Engine Department:

What does IMCA M 117 require of these professionals?

Questions about which training courses are needed by professionals and companies working with vessels fitted with a DP system are common.

The most frequent query concerns key personnel in the engine department. Who are the key DP personnel? Which training courses are required? What is expected of the engine team in the event of a DP failure?

Below is a compilation of answers to these questions.

Who are the key DP personnel identified in the engine department?

Key DP personnel consist of all the professionals considered necessary for the vessel to operate in DP mode effectively and safely.

The people involved are not necessarily those who operate the DP system; they are also those who ensure the proper functioning of the system itself and of the equipment related to it.

With that in mind, in the engine department, the professionals responsible for ensuring that all the electrical and mechanical systems of the vessel are operational and are maintained safely are:

• Chief Engineer;
• Second Engineer;
• Engineer Officer of the Watch / Third Engineer;
• Electrician (ETO)

Which training courses are required for engine department professionals?

According to IMCA M 117, chapter 6 of the publication addresses training for engineer officers and electricians. They are:

– DP Maintenance (Appendix 2)

• DP Familiarisation (Appendix 3)

Essentially, DP Maintenance is aimed at electricians or, as IMCA recommends, at least one key DP person from the engine department.

DP Maintenance is a course specific to the manufacturer of the DP system, or authorised by them. Its focus is the technical side of the system.

DP Familiarisation, known as DP Technical, follows a syllabus with a general focus on dynamic positioning knowledge. Some courses, however — as at Vision Marine Training — offer a syllabus that goes beyond what Appendix 2 requires.

What is expected of the engine team in the event of a DP system failure?

Advanced diagnostics and interventions in the system are, for the most part, under the control of the manufacturer. Even so, it is up to the crew member to quickly diagnose and act correctly in the face of any failure or damage that may occur.

Correct decision-making can reduce, or even eliminate, accidents caused by DP system failures.

The courses, including DP Familiarisation, also prepare the professional for that decision-making. Having the right training is crucial for the crew member to do their job well.

Vision Marine Training has prepared material for you to understand in more detail the requirements for key DP personnel in the engine department according to IMCA M 117. If you enjoyed this post, do not miss the content of our newest e-book! Sign up below to access the free material.

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