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Duty/not duty, which is the question?

This DP event occurred on an FPSO. The FPSO is fitted with one bow tunnel thruster and two stern azimuth thrusters; however, at the time of the event the starboard aft thruster was out of operation due to an ongoing upgrade project and the forward thruster had been stopped and isolated due to diving operations occurring at the time.

Diving was being undertaken from a light diving craft (LDC). The FPSO was lying with the wind to its side in order to shelter the LDC during the diving operations. The FPSO turret was locked in line with the diving isolation matrix.


The following case studies and observations have been compiled from information received by IMCA. All vessel, client, and operational data has been removed from the narrative to ensure anonymity.

Case studies are not intended as guidance on the safe conduct of operations, but rather to assist vessel managers, DP operators and DP technical crew in appropriately determining how to safely conduct their own operations. Any queries should be directed to IMCA at [email protected]. Members and non-members alike are welcome to contact IMCA if they have experienced DP events which can be shared anonymously with the DP industry.

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