The ABC’s of DP 101
Dynamic Positioning has been around for a while, it is evolving and it is here to stay. Here to sort it all out are two of industry’s more familiar stakeholders who also explain what might come next.When it comes to critical offshore operations and vessel handling, this is not your grandfather’s marine industry, and it hasn’t been for some time. That’s because the bridge layout and equipment commonly found on any recently delivered offshore service vessel would be unfamiliar to the typical deck officer of just 20 years ago. Much of that can be attributed to the advent of dynamic positioning equipment systems.DP – perhaps like no other skill at sea – has changed the role of the deck officer. The technical requirements to qualify and operate this equipment are vast.
Wärtsilä Tests Remote Control Ship Operating Capability
Wärtsilä said it has taken a further important step toward developing its Smart Marine capabilities by successfully testing the remote control of ship operations. The testing, which involved driving the vessel through a sequence of manoeuvres using a combination of Dynamic Positioning (DP) and manual joystick control, was carried out on August 21 off the North Sea coast of Scotland in collaboration with Gulfmark Offshore, the U.S. based operator who provided the vessel for the project.
GE Provides DP Sea Time Reduction Course
GE’s continuous efforts to help increase marine industry safety standards for operators recently resulted in the endorsement of The Nautical Institute’s (NI) accreditation for GE to conduct a dynamic positioning (DP) sea time reduction (STR) course in its modern DP training center in Houston. With this accreditation, GE’s Marine Technical Training Center has joined an exclusive list of only 13 DP schools worldwide that are accredited to provide STR courses. The accreditation allows…
Hard Problems Demand Soft(ware) Solutions
Make no mistake, the commercial maritime industry will always revolve around heavy duty machinery and mega-machines designed to weather some of the toughest operating conditions on earth. But in recent years a proliferation of Software Solutions has evolved to help the machines operate more efficiently and cost effectively. MR editors report on latest developments in maritime specific Software Solutions. Kværner Verdal AS selected AVEVA Bocad Steel and AVEVA Bocad Offshore for use at its design and fabrication yard in Verdal…
Braemar Engineering Tests DP Software Tool
(Press Release) Braemar Engineering said its new Second Failure Module dynamic positioning DP software has been installed on a client’s vessel. Kyle Eddings, Manager DP and Offshore Projects at Braemar Engineering, told delegates at the IMCA Asian Dynamic Positioning Conference this week in Singapore that the first Second Failure Module is now undergoing Beta Testing. The Second Failure Module is a software tool developed by Braemar Engineering that allows a more in-depth understanding of the Dynamic Positioning (DP) System. It enables crew members and operators to study second level failures and understand more fully the effects they will have on the power plant and DP capability, and mitigate those risks in advance.
Kongsberg Maritime DP Pioneer Earns Award
The Marine Technology Society has honoured Kongsberg Maritime Dynamic Positioning veteran, Nils Albert Jenssen with a distinguished achievement award for his services to Dynamic Positioning. Nils Albert, who is internationally recognised as one of the world's leading engineering authorities on DP, received the award at the DP user seminar, organised by the society, in Houston, 24-25 September 2007. The Marine Technology Society is a highly respected non-profit organisation made up of ocean engineers, technologists, policy makers and educators. "Nils Albert Jenssen has played a key role in the development of DP Software and control systems for almost thirty years. He has also been the driving force behind the evolution of the highly successful Kongsberg systems.
