Temporary connection to DP system caused short circuit
- DP Event
- Published on 2 November 2017
- Generated on 22 February 2025
- DPE 04/17
- 2 minute read
Undesired event
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Connection of any temporary system should be part of a change management plan and risk assessed.
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Comments
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Various DP equipment, including the DP status lights, were connected via UPS No.2. Investigation found that the UPS tripped because of a break in the portable cable supplying the DP status lights to ROV control.
- The vessel does not have a permanent ROV system, when an ROV system is mobilised it is a requirement that the ROV control has DP status lights. This is achieved by installing a portable set of lights that are connected to the vessel’s DP system by a cable.
- The same cable had been in use for several years whenever an ROV system was mobilised.
- Inspection procedures have been modified to include portable wiring and a bend preventer/limiter used for future connections.
Considerations
- Connection of ANY temporary system to a DP system should be as part of a formal management of change and properly risk assessed.
- The connection of ANY temporary system should be designed to tolerate a short circuit or any other failure.
- Additional systems that are connected to a DP system should be approved by manufacturer and class and should be extensively tested.
- The vessel is recorded as operating within DP equipment class 2, however only satellite derived position reference systems were recorded as being in use.
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