The course is designed for DP Operators who are unable to revalidate their Nautical Institute DPO certificates as they have not the required 150 DP Sea Time days in the past 5 years as proclaimed in the standard. The general aim, though, is to update DPO who have not gained sufficient practice about latest DP guidelines, technological changes in the PRS and sensors, best industry practices of DP operation.

Objectives:

• Provide update about up-to-date DP Rules and Regulations from various sources e.g. NI, IMO, IMCA, MTS; DP documentation, FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis);
• Analyze and employ input from PRS and sensors;
• Be able to set up DP system correctly for the particular DP operation;
• Conduct DP watch keeping efficiently, notice DP-related changes , alarm and warnings which might lead to the Worst Case Failure and react accordingly;
• Monitor Power system, thrusters and other system which affect the work of DP and position of the vessel;
• Respond to the change in environmental conditions as they might seriously affect the work of DP system;
• Operate DP system in Joystick mode effectively;
• Recognize and respond correctly to the emergency situations e.g. DP drive-off, DP drift-off, one thruster runoff, losing DP functions or protocol of actions following colliding with offshore installation.

Course Content:

• DP Guidelines and documentation;
• Position Reference Systems and sensors;
• DP System set up;
• DP Bridge Watchkeeping;
• DP Operation in Joystick mode;
• DP Emergencies;
• Power Management System, Propulsion;
• DP Operation Simulator Exercises.

Assessment: DP Revalidation Course includes 2 types of assessment. There is an online theoretical examination and practical simulator exercise. Online test consists of 30 questions and should be completed in 1 hour with minimum 70% score. For the practical exercise participants have to set up DP system, complete DP checklist and perform some DP operation. As a rule training centers develop their own set of practical exam tasks based on course program.

Target Audience: DP Operators, holders of NI DPO Unlimited or Limited certificate who would like to revalidate their certificate, but lack DP sea time.

Pre-requisites: DPO Certificate issued by the NI is required to enter the course. The original DPO Certificate should be presented at the DP centre where the Revalidation Course is completed.

Important:  The Revalidation Course may be completed up to 6 months before the revalidation date set by the NI. Then, the course will be valid for a period of 12 months only, in which the DPO must send in an application into the NI.

If the participant is completing the course for the first time, there is no minimum DP sea time requirement. If the participant is completing the course for a second or subsequent time, a minimum of 28 DP sea time days will be required to revalidate. This DP time may be completed prior to or after the Revalidation Course.

Where a participant subsequently revalidates after taking the course by completion of the full sea time requirement of 150 DP sea time days that participant can then take the Revalidation Course again without a DP sea time requirement.