DYNAMIC POSITIONINGIf You Have DPS Questions ...OSVDPA Has AnswersBY AARON SMITHver the past two years, the erators. As stated, these prohibitions do view and understand these partners will pect from our certi? cate holders. The only constant in the dynamic nothing to improve safety. In fact, they not accept a system which creates short- OSVDPA believes this addition should positioning industry has been hinder safety and ignore reality. Regard- cuts or produces less-than-quali? ed mar- be a requirement for all DPO certi? ca-Ouncertainty. A new certi? ca- less of the opinion of DPO certi? cation iners. It is also important to understand tion systems as it provides clarity and tion scheme, a long-awaited revision systems, professional mariners without that the informal precursor to the OS- comparability to the industry. of the industry standard and threats of STCW credentials are controlling DP VDPA did not set out to start a certi? ca- The OSVDPA understand our system regulation continue to cause oscillat- vessels, and some of those vessels— tion system. In fact, our ? rst goal was to is not the answer to all of the questions ing senses of hope and fear. As a result, more than 100 in the Gulf of Mexico work with the existing system to solve surrounding DPO certi? cation. Just as the DP industry has a collective case of alone—do not have classed DP systems. the certi? cation problems the offshore the other certi? cations systems do not whiplash. However, even today few an- It is incumbent upon the industry to pro- service industry faces. Unfortunately, work for the offshore service vessel in-swers exist as to what direction the in- vide certi? cation systems to train these after working within the Nautical Insti- dustry, our system might not be a good dustry should take toward a worthwhile mariners in the safe operation of DP. tute’s scheme revision process for a year, ? t for other sectors. However, in the Au-system of DPO certi? cation. To some, While the OSVDPA was founded to ? ll not only were the previously described thority’s opinion, it is high time mariners the answer is a return to a one-size-? ts- these gaps, there are certain actions the problems not addressed, the NI’s refor- had a choice and the ability to ? nd a sys-all DPO certi? cation system. Authority refuses to consider. matted system will actually make it more tem that meets their needs and industry But is uniformity the answer for an The Authority will not create employ- dif? cult for some service vessel DPOs to expectations. increasingly diversi? ed industry? While ment restrictions or divide the DP indus- earn their certi? cate. As stated, the OSVDPA understands the principles are the same and the try. As previously stated, the OSVDPA’s While these developments were disap- that the DP industry has experienced equipment is similar, no one will hon- intention is to create a DPO certi? cation pointing, the OSVDPA continues to work more than its fair share of change over estly argue that running a DP system on option for mariners. We understand that with the Nautical Institute, DNV, indus- the past couple of years. We understand a MODU and running a DP system on a mariners will not choose the OSVDPA try associations and regulators to craft a that our formation is only adding to this crew boat are similar activities. if its certi? cates lead to dead-ends or re- system that is a bene? t to the industry. fatigue. However, the Authority whole-So why should operators only have one strictions. Thus, it would be counterpro- Speci? cally, the OSVDPA certi? cation heartedly believes we can provide a vi-option for DPO certi? cation? ductive for our system to create employ- system will be based on a combination able alternative to existing DPO certi? -The newly formed Offshore Service ment restrictions. of sea-time and competency assessment. cation methods, one that is inclusive of Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority Instead, the Authority seeks a system The OSVDPA understands that experi- relevant mariners, gauged properly to (OSVDPA) is in the process of crafting where prospective DPOs can pick the ential and observational learning is vital service vessels and will ensure greater an alternative DPO certi? cation system certi? cation system that works best for to producing quality DPOs; thus our sys- operational safety. The OSVDPA looks open to all prospective DPOs, regard- them and subsequently transfer between tem will have a duel layer sea-time re- forward to working with the maritime less of industry, but targeted towards the certi? cation systems and industries, quirement, one layer tracking on-board industry as we ? nalize our certi? cation unique operational tempo of offshore provided each adheres to the same high experience (traditional sea-time), and system. service vessels, an industry segment standards. As early as last summer, the the other measuring time the prospective long ignored by the current certi? cations Authority initiated conversations with DPO spent at the controls. The Authorschemes. The OSVDPA system will en- the NI and DNV about how reciprocal However, experience alone is not sure those controlling DP system on a recognition could be granted. proof of pro? ciency. For this reason, Aaron C. Smith is Executive Director, day-to-day basis have access to training Additionally, the OSVDPA will not the OSVDPA certi? cation system will Offshore Supply Vessel Dynamic Posi-on these systems. This common sense reduce standards. The Authority is com- incorporate competency based assess-tioning Authority (OSVDPA), charged with allowance is not provided by the current prised of some of the safest vessel opera- ments. Under our system, prospective managing the day-to-day operation of certi? cation systems thereby discourag- tors, the best training centers and most DPOs will be assessed at each stage of the Authority, including helping to craft ing those without STCW licenses from respected DP manufacturers. To a per- their training; failure to pass will mean the Authority’s dynamic positioning op-becoming certi? ed. This prohibition not son, the Board of Directors understand a failure to advance. The capstone of our erator (DPO) certi? cation program and only decreases the safety of the industry, that a good safety record is vital to our training system will be a ? nal assessment ensuring this program is accepted by the it blocks off the hawse pipe, depriving industry’s reputation. As such, the OS- ensuring the prospective DPO is compe-U.S. Coast Guard, the offshore energy the offshore service industry from culti- VDPA Board refuses any action which tent not just in DP buttonology but in the industry, and international counterparts. vating some of its most skilled mariners. will degrade the safety of our people, our real-world operation of a vessel.Similarly, mariners aboard vessels vessels, the environment or our custom- Under the OSVDPA system all train-with unclassed DP systems are currently ers. The OSVDPA is not going to waste ing and certi? cation components will all cutoff from receiving training in the saf- its time creating a system that will not be based on a de? ned list of competen-est way to use DP systems. This is an- pass muster. The OSVDPA system will cies, ensuring prospective DPOs know other prohibition that might make sense be subject to rigorous review from our what they are expected to learn, training in the board room or conference hall, but customers, ? ag states, industry associa- centers know what they are expected to causes practical problems for vessel op- tions and others. We welcome this re- teach, and employers know what to ex-22 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • APRIL 2014MR #4 (18-25).indd 22 MR #4 (18-25).indd 22 4/4/2014 10:32:07 AM4/4/2014 10:32:07 AM