OP/EDCOLUMNThe Offshore Service Vessel Dynamic Positioning AuthorityBy Aaron Smith, Executive Director, OSVDPA In a recent study, two groups were in the safe operation of DP. shown the same painting; one group Moreover, while much of the maritime industry has ad-was told it was painted in 1905, the opted competency based certi? cations, the industry standard other was told 2005. Not surprising- for DPO certi? cation continues to be based on measuring ly, the ? rst group reported liking the time served on a DP vessel. The OSVDPA agrees that a DPO painting more than the second, prov- requires real-world experience prior to certi? cation. However, ing the human brain almost automati- we also believe that sea-time alone is not proof of pro? ciency. cally equates longevity with quality. Before describing how the OSVDPA will address these But does longevity always equal problems, let me describe what we won’t do. First and fore-quality? Of course not, but our natural inclination is to most, the OSVDPA will not reduce standards. The Au-respect that which has been around and to be uncomfort- thority’s Board of Directors is comprised of some of the able with change. I admit it; I fear change as much as the safest vessel operators, the best training centers, and most next person. However, in certain circumstances we must respected DP manufacturers. To a person, Board members take a breath and recognize the status quo can no longer understand that a good safety record is vital to our indus-be our only option. Nowhere in the maritime community try’s reputation. As such, the OSVDPA Board refuses to is the need for well-crafted options more evident than the take any action which will degrade the safety of our people, certi? cation of dynamic positioning operators (DPOs). our vessels, the environment or our customers. For this reason, we recently announced the formation of Due to this commitment, the OSVDPA’s certi? cation the Offshore Service Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority, system will follow the recognized guidance laid out by the the OSVDPA. Our organization seeks to provide an alterna- IMO, IMCA, and other foundational documents, thereby tive method of certifying DPO’s that is more relevant to the ensuring our standards meet the expectations of the mari-offshore service vessel industry. I’m con? dent you’ll see that time industry. Additionally, the Authority will not create em-the change the Authority is proposing is nothing to fear. ployment restrictions or divide the DP industry. Instead, the It’s no secret the current DPO certi? cation system wasn’t OSVDPA seeks a system where certi? ed DPOs and prospec-written for supply vessels. After all, the system predates the use tive DPOs can transfer between certi? cation systems and in-of DP aboard supply vessels or similar vessels serving the off- dustries, provided each adheres to the same high standards.shore energy industry. But the current system never adapted OSVDPA has collaborated with the DNV classi? cation to incorporate these vessels, and because of this, the system society and industry stakeholders to craft a set of recom-has no way of supplying a suf? cient number of well-quali? ed mended practices for all DPO certi? cation systems. When DPOs for the existing ? eet, let alone the increased demand this document is produced, the OSVDPA will take steps to caused by the proliferation of DP supply vessels or the require- ensure our certi? cation system meets all practical require-ments for an increased number of DPOs aboard each vessel. ments contained therein. Instead of addressing this problem, the current system Going forward, the OSVDPA will continue to invite continues to discourage those without STCW licenses from comments and even criticism of our system. The Author-becoming certi? ed, blocking off the hawse pipe and prevent- ity’s primary mission is to improve safety and we’ll work ing some of the most skilled mariners in the industry from with anyone who shares this mission. As we move forward, becoming certi? ed DPO’s. Similarly, mariners serving aboard the Authority will strive to craft a certi? cation system vessels with unclassed DP systems are currently cut off from based on the following principles: receiving training in the safest way to use DP systems. • Our system will be built on a de