What are the top safety measures for dynamic positioning on drillships?

2 DP Operations Manual

A comprehensive and updated DP operations manual is the second safety measure for drillships. This manual should outline the roles and responsibilities of DP personnel, such as the master, the officer on watch, the DP operator, and the engineer. It should also include procedures and checklists for DP operations, such as start-up, shut-down, testing, monitoring, and emergency response. Moreover, the manual should provide operational limits and criteria for DP operations such as weather conditions, water depth, position tolerance, and power availability. Lastly, it should include contingency plans and actions for DP operations such as alarms, warnings, failures, incidents, and recovery. This manual should be based on best practices and standards of the industry and reviewed/revised regularly to reflect changes in the system, operation, and environment.

3 DP Training and Competence

The third safety measure for DP on drillships is to ensure that the DP personnel are adequately trained and competent. The training and competence should cover the theory and principles of DP, such as sensors, controllers, thrusters, and reference systems; the operation and maintenance of the DP system, such as software, hardware, interfaces, and diagnostics; and the application and practice of DP, such as scenarios, simulations, drills, and assessments. The training should be aligned with the requirements and guidelines of the IMO, the IMCA, and the relevant authorities. Additionally, it is important to verify and document the training and competence of the DP personnel regularly to guarantee their proficiency and readiness.

4 DP Assurance and Auditing

The fourth safety measure for DP on drillships is to conduct DP assurance and auditing activities. These processes are designed to evaluate and verify the performance and compliance of the DP system and personnel. This should include DP trials and tests to confirm the functionality and reliability of the system, DP inspections and surveys to verify the condition of its equipment, as well as DP audits and reviews to assess the quality and effectiveness of operations and management. It is important to use qualified and independent parties, like DP consultants, authorities, or contractors for these activities. Additionally, DP assurance and auditing should be planned and executed periodically or whenever there are changes or incidents in the DP system or operation.

5 DP Communication and Coordination

The fifth safety measure for DP on drillships is to maintain effective communication and coordination among the DP stakeholders. This includes the drillship crew, the drilling contractor, the client, the regulators, and the support vessels. Communication and coordination should ensure the exchange and sharing of relevant information, such as plans, status, events, and risks. Additionally, it should ensure alignment of common goals and expectations such as objectives, criteria, performance, and feedback. It should also promote collaboration and cooperation of joint actions and decisions like adjustments, interventions, incidents, and recovery. To facilitate this process, clear and consistent channels such as radio, email, phone, meetings, and reports should be used.

6 DP Culture and Awareness

The sixth safety measure for DP on drillships is to foster a positive and proactive DP culture and awareness. This means developing attitudes and behaviors that will influence DP performance and safety. To ensure this, we should promote the commitment and responsibility for DP excellence, such as following the DP standards, applying the DP best practices, and improving the DP skills. We should also increase awareness and recognition of DP hazards and risks, such as identifying the DP threats, assessing the DP consequences, and mitigating the DP exposures. Additionally, we should learn from and improve on DP lessons and experiences, such as reporting the DP incidents, analyzing the DP causes, and implementing the DP actions. All of this should be supported by effective leadership, management, and supervision, as well as by adequate resources, incentives, and recognition.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?