Action required during a drive off from position

Objective:

To identify risks and impacts of this occurrence, possibilities to reduce that risk and suitable actions to be taken if such an occurrence happened.

Method:

With the vessel in full auto DP control; power plant configured according to the vessel’s DP operations manual (and respective decision support tool); all other vessel equipment and systems including position and heading references set up in accordance with applicable DP checklists:

• Vessel in a safe location. Simulated location and activities agreed and communicated to all participants.
• This scenario can be accomplished by initiating a large position move while in auto position at a high speed. Once the vessel has developed headway the DPO should demonstrate both bringing the vessel under control and moving the vessel away from danger using the IJS or DP joystick or the manual controls (practice using all 3 methods would be preferable). Another option could be to take a thruster to local control at the thruster room and generate maximum thrust, i.e. by operating the CPP pitch control valve or manually controlling the drive.
• Check that appropriate alarms are generated and that DP equipment temperatures and functions are within acceptable/ normal limits.
• Check the vessel DP crew ability to manage the situation in a controlled manner.
• Discuss the results and determine how the risks could be mitigated / managed.
  
  

Prior to executing, discuss the expected results:

• Is the methodology appropriate to gain the best outcome of the exercise?
• Who will be involved with the exercise and what roles will individuals have?
• What equipment will be impacted / lost?
• What are the risks of the exercise?
• Is the exercise scenario appropriately documented?
• What will be the communication channels during the exercise?
• Who will observe and accurately record exercise data including the DP system configuration pre-exercise?
• What is the anticipated loss of position?
• Are there any secondary failures expected? (for example, mission equipment).
  
  

Observations during exercise:

• Is the DP emergency drill procedure being followed?
• Is the equipment performing / reacting as expected?
• Are those individuals directly involved in the exercise reacting appropriately given their assigned duties?
• Are those individuals indirectly involved reacting in an appropriate manner?
• Is the degree of participation and diligence as expected?
• What is the actual loss of position?
• What is the duration from commencement to concluding a safe outcome for the vessel?
• Was the communication effective during the drill?

Actual results witnessed:

EXAMPLE:
The vessel maintained accurate station keeping with remaining online equipment.
The DP system reacted well, maintaining station keeping, as did the crew in responding to the failure.
The vessel DP system regained control returning to original position.

Discussion points (post-exercise):

Human Factors:

• What are the potential risks due to “multi-tasking” during DP operations that may directly lead to the scenario outlined during this drill? (Examples include managing / monitoring deck operations, radio traffic, etc.)
• What are the potential risks due to distractions in the workspace (i.e. Bridge, Engine Room) that may directly lead to the scenario outlined during this drill? (Examples include routine maintenance procedures, social media, personnel interactions, etc.)
• Discuss the alternative actions/reactions that may occur in response to a similar scenario. Are there multiple paths to a successful resolution or is there a preferred solution? Why?
• Following a review of the simulated exercise and the vessel and crew’s reaction, what different operator (Bridge and/or ECR) reaction(s) might be warranted if faced with a similar situation during operation
• Review of DPO and other key DP personnel reaction
• What potential gaps in the existing DP familiarisation programme have been highlighted as a result of the exercise?
• What changes/revisions should be considered for the training and familiarisation procedures?

Review the applicable checklists (ASOG CAM/TAM/DP operations manual/bridge and engine room checklists/FMEA/DP Annual Trials programmes/etc.):

• What additional necessary actions and considerations should be addressed?
• What potential changes should be made to make the checklists more appropriate?
• What additional necessary operating conditions and parameters should be considered?
• What potential changes should be considered to make Decision Support Tools more applicable to the vessel and her equipment?
• How would these changes improve/affect the vessel’s capabilities and limitations?

Conclusion:

Based on the results of the exercise and related discussions before and after, any suggestions for follow up including any corrective actions deemed appropriate should be accurately detailed and managed to close out.

Handling of vessel in the correct manner requires knowledge of the DP specific equipment, how the DP system reacts to scenarios and their respective alarms and the human intervention required if necessary to ensure station keeping.

Items to consider include:

• Appreciation of the potential to stop a thruster in emergency cases using the emergency stops.
• How quickly would it be determined that this scenario constituted a “red” situation within the ASOG.
• DP system reaction to multiple failures.
• What to look for on the operator stations.
• What event and alarms indicate any system failures.
• Methods of fault finding and investigation.
• Appropriateness of communication.
• Training requirements.