COURSE OVERVIEW:

The Dynamic Positioning (DP) Maintenance course is a specialized technical program designed for marine engineers and electrical officers responsible for the reliability of automated vessel positioning systems. This course examines the integration of control systems, power management, and propulsion units that allow a vessel to maintain its position and heading exclusively through propeller force. It provides an in-depth analysis of the hardware and software architecture that defines DP Class 1, 2, and 3 vessels operating in the offshore sector.

The scope of this training involves a rigorous look at the maintenance of position reference systems, including DGNSS, laser-based sensors, and hydroacoustic transponders. Participants will explore the troubleshooting of the DP control console, the communication networks (such as Ethernet and Fieldbus), and the interface with the vessel’s Power Management System (PMS). The program emphasizes the prevention of "drive-off" and "drift-off" incidents through proactive component testing and sensor calibration.

Coverage includes the regulatory requirements for Annual DP Trials and the documentation of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). The course addresses the critical balance between mechanical thruster maintenance and electronic control stability. By bridging the gap between automation and marine engineering, this course equips technical personnel with the expertise to ensure maximum system uptime during critical offshore operations such as diving support or drilling.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

1. Identify the fundamental components of a Dynamic Positioning system architecture.
2. Distinguish between DP Class 1, 2, and 3 redundancy requirements.
3. Perform routine maintenance on various Position Reference Systems (PRS).
4. Troubleshoot communication faults between the DP controller and thrusters.
5. Manage the Power Management System (PMS) to ensure bus-tie integrity.
6. Execute calibration procedures for wind sensors and gyrocompasses.
7. Interpret FMEA reports to identify potential single points of failure.
8. Conduct diagnostic tests on Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) for DP.
9. Analyze thruster performance and hydraulic system health for DP response.
10. Manage software updates and configuration backups for DP consoles.
11. Lead the preparation for Annual DP Trials and statutory inspections.
12. Implement cybersecurity best practices for integrated bridge systems.
13. Execute emergency recovery procedures following a DP system failure.

TARGET AUDIENCE:  

Marine Engineers, Electro-Technical Officers (ETO), Technical Superintendents, and Offshore Automation Technicians.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximise the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.