7. Scheme Layout

 Part 1: DP Vessel Maintainer Course, Onshore

Part one is a shore-based course provided by an accredited training institute and covers content as listed in the Appendices.

 

Training school certificate name:

 

“Nautical Institute Key Technical DP Personnel Training – DP Vessel Maintainers’ Part One Theory”

 

The course is conducted over five days with a minimum of 34 hours which include theory instructions, practical exercises and practical exam and online exam.

 

This Annex also covers Instructor qualifications, extra simulator equipment required, course duration, practical assessment, and NI online exam.

 

Part 2: DP Sea Time onboard active DP vessel and Task section of Logbook

Total days: 26 sea time days onboard DP Class Vessel. Minimum days on DP: 7 days (2 hours operation per day). Task Sections.

 

Part 3: Statement of Suitability

Statement of Suitability (To be signed by both the Master and Chief Engineer).

 

8. Minimum Entry Requirements

Minimum Requirements for entry into the DPVM Scheme shall be as follows:

Following the 2010 Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code, The Nautical Institute (The NI) has implemented the following criteria for entry into the DP Vessel Maintainer training scheme: The minimum qualification is set at STCW Regulation III/1 – III /2 – III/3 – III/6 Engine and Regulation III/6 for ETOs. The Nautical Institute will also accept anyone on a case-by-case basis that holds a technical officer’s position on any DP vessel. This does not include ratings.

 

The training centre theory part and NI online exam for the course may also be attended by relevant shore-based technical staff and DPOs and technical cadets to improve their knowledge. They can be issued a certificate of completion (Theory Only).

 

To be issued a Key Technical DP Personnel Certificate (The DP Vessel Maintainer’ Course Certificate) candidates must be serving as part of the vessel Technical staff, ie Engineer or ETO.

 

9. Revalidation

1. To revalidate a DPVM Certificate, in addition to 150 days of sea time or equivalent, DPVM needs to :

 

i. Pass The NI CPD Revalidation online exam and NI-approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme.

 

OR

 

1. NI DPVM Refresher and Competency Assessment Course- (The Refresher/Revalidation Course may be completed up to six months before the revalidation date set by The NI. The course will be valid for a period of 12 months only, during which the DPO must send in an application into The NI).

 

1. DPVM with 30 days or more DP sea time may revalidate with the following option:

 

NI DP Refresher and Competency Assessment Course.

 

DPVM with No DP sea time or less than 30 days must complete The NI DPVM Revalidation Course. When revalidating using the Revalidation Course for a second or subsequent time, the DP technical staff must follow the rules as per the standard with respect to sea time requirements.

10. Online Assessment

In order to be awarded a certificate of completion for the DP Vessel Maintainer Course the trainee must pass an online assessment at the training centre. The exam is composed of multiple-choice questions and shall be completed in 1 hour 30 minutes. The online assessment will consist of 40 questions and shall be completed with a pass mark of 70%.

Students who fail at the first attempt are allowed to have another two attempts within six months of the first attempt; however, the second attempt must be undertaken within 96 hours of the

first attempt. Failing these three initial attempts, the student is required to repeat the DP Vessel Maintainer Course and undertake the assessment again.

On successful completion of the DP Vessel Maintainer Course and online assessment, the trainee Dynamic Positioning Vessel Maintainer will be issued with a Nautical Institute Training and Certification Scheme for Key Technical DP Personnel logbook in which their course, DP sea time, task completion and Statement of Suitability as a DPVM are recorded.

 

11. Appendix 1 to Training and Certification Scheme For Key Technical DP Personnel (The DP Vessel Maintainer Course) – Training, Accreditation & Requirements

 

Accreditation is given for the DP Maintainers Course.

A Nautical Institute Training centre that has a B Class simulator and meets the requirement of NI – Training centre model Course DP Vessel Maintainer to support the delivery and assessment of the DP Maintainer course, may apply for accreditation to conduct the DP Maintainer Course.

The attentions of Masters and Chief Engineers are drawn to this statement: the suitability of the officer to undertake full DP Vessel Maintainer duties keeping responsibility onboard a DP vessel.

This is the final assessment of the trainee DP Vessel Maintainer and Masters and Chief Engineers should carefully consider whether they are able to affirm the statements within this section before signing. The Statement of Suitability should be completed at the end of the final period of sea time prior to a certificate application being made.

Time to complete the Training Scheme

In order to avoid deterioration of skills during the training period, all elements of the DP Training Scheme shall be completed within two years..

When applying and submitting documents to The Nautical Institute (The NI), all components of the programme (shore-based courses, DP sea time, task sections, Statement of Suitability form and other elements) must have been completed within the previous two years. In the event that any training phases fall outside of the two-year validity period, the trainee will be required to repeat the expired training phase.

Discharge Book, Certificate of Discharge and Company Confirmation Letter

Trainee DP Vessel Maintainers are required to provide a confirmation or testimonial letter from their shipping companies for all the DP sea time required for the DP Vessel Maintainer. This letter should:

 

  Be written on original headed paper from the shipping company.

 Be signed and stamped by the Operations Manager or Engineer Superintendent or equivalent. Letters signed by Masters or agency staff are not acceptable.

 Be written and dated only after the DP Vessel Maintainer has completed the DP sea time claimed.

 Confirm the total time the applicant has performed as a trainee DP Vessel Maintainer onboard the vessel(s). The NI reserves the right to ask for further and more detailed information, such as the engine room log, if applicable.

 

After completing the online application, the applicant shall send the following documents to The NI:

 

 Copy of the STCW CoC, Letter of Service from Company or NVQ certificate (page with personal details, validity date and CoC number).

 Original DP Vessel Maintainer logbook.

  Copy of passport personal details page.

  Original company confirmation letter/s confirming all DP sea time.

 The signed and dated PDF checklist available on the candidate’s account after payment. It is compulsory for the trainee DP Vessel Maintainer to sign the declaration of data contained in the online application.

  Any other supporting documentation.

The NI reserves the right to return the logbook and application to candidates who do not apply online or if anything is found to be incorrect or incomplete in the application or training.

Companies that verify their candidates to ensure requirements have been met before an application is made to The NI tend to be more successful. This also assists the company in the management of their DP personnel and their training and progression.

The process for accreditation by The Nautical Institute

Usually, only centres approved by The Nautical Institute for DPO training will be accredited for this scheme. However, The NI can also consider the approval for DPVM accreditation on a case- by-case basis.

Guidance on the procedures for accreditation is contained in The Nautical Institute Certification and Accreditation standard, Vol 2 (Accreditations).

 

12. Appendix 2 to Training and Certification Scheme For Key Technical DP Personnel (The DP Vessel Maintainer Course) – Model Course

This document covers the Training Centre section of the Nautical Institute Training and Certification Scheme for Technical DP Personnel (DP Vessel Maintainer Certificate course) and is to be read in conjunction with the Nautical Institute Certification and Accreditation standard, Vol.2 – (Accreditation) 2024.

The Nautical Institute Certification and Accreditation standard, Vol.2 – (Accreditation) 2024 includes detail requirement for the accreditation of the Training Centres. Administration, classroom layout, training equipment, student’s safety, and simulators.

This document includes extra requirement for instructor and simulator equipment that is specific the DPVM classroom-based training.

 

Introduction

This NI model course document is to be read in conjunction with:

 

1. The Nautical Institute Training and Certification Scheme For Key Technical DP (The DP Vessel Maintainer Course), named as DPVM in this document.
2. Nautical Institute Certification and Accreditation standard, 2 – (Accreditation) 2024

 

 

Purpose of The NI model courses for DP Vessel Maintainer

The purpose of The NI model courses is to assist NI training institutes and their teaching staff in organising and introducing new training courses, or in enhancing, updating or supplementing existing training material where the quality and effectiveness of the training courses may thereby be improved.

 

As in all training endeavors, the knowledge, skills, competence and dedication of instructors are the key components in the transfer of knowledge and skills to those being trained through NI standards.

 

Courses shall be a minimum duration of five days with a minimum of 34 hours including classroom instruction, simulator time and assessments.

 

This course is Part One of The Nautical Institute Training and Certification Scheme for Key Technical DP Personnel (The DP Vessel Maintainer Course) which comprises the following:

 

Part One: Nautical Institute Key Technical DP Personnel Training – DP Vessel Maintainer Part One Theory Course is a shore-based course provided by a Nautical Institute-accredited training institute and covers course contents detailed in this document.

 

The course is conducted over five days with a minimum of 34 hours which include theory instruction, practical exercises and practical exam and online exam. The course should cover details of the course, its content, instructor qualifications, extra simulator equipment required, course duration and practical exam and online exam.

 

Part Two: DP sea time onboard an active DP vessel and completing task section of logbook. Total days: 26 days onboard DP Class vessel.

Minimum days on DP: 7 days (2 hours of operation per day).

Vessel-specific and company-specific training as listed in the DPVM logbook Task sections.

 

Part Three: Statement of Suitability

To be signed by both the Master and Chief Engineer.

The NI DPVM Logbook covers the onboard training and drills required by the DP Vessel Maintainer. A DP Vessel Maintainer requires a good understanding of onboard DP equipment along with familiarisation of DP integration of other systems onboard, DP Procedures, DP documents and their locations. Effective training in the classroom and onboard should enable key DP technical personnel to respond quickly and appropriately to equipment failures and faults that may result in DP incidents, to identify when the vessel has a loss of redundancy and is required to be moved to a safe drift-off location before reinstating DP equipment to its normal operating state.

Training centres or organisations that have developed training programmes that are compliant with NI DPVM course requirements may apply for accreditation by The Nautical Institute (The NI) for the course. When an organisation and its course are accredited, it will be authorised to issue certificates bearing the logo of The NI and to promote its course as being compliant with the standard of The NI.

Use of The NI DPVM model course

To use the model course effectively, instructors should review the course plan and detailed syllabus, considering the information on the entry standards specified in the course framework. The actual level of knowledge, skills and prior technical education of the trainees should be kept in mind during this review, and any areas within the detailed syllabus that may cause difficulties because of differences between the actual trainee entry level and that assumed by the course designer should be identified. To compensate for such differences, all course material shall be sent to NI for review.

Lesson plans

Training centres are to develop lesson plans based on the detailed teaching syllabus and specifications of simulators. Instructors should pay due attention to the trainees’ backgrounds and previous knowledge when adjusting the course content to suit their knowledge and experience and advise of any revision of the course objectives required. The detailed teaching syllabus describes required performances that, together with the exercise scenarios, will be used to deliver the course.

Presentation

The presentation of concepts and methodologies should be repeated in various ways until instructors are satisfied that the trainees have attained each specific learning objective. The syllabus is laid out in learning-objective format and each objective specifies the performance required of the trainees to achieve the intended learning outcomes.

Implementation

For the course to run smoothly and to be effective, considerable attention should be paid to the availability and use of:

 Properly qualified instructors.

  Technical and non-technical support staff.

 Teaching and other spaces.

  Appropriate training equipment and teaching aids.

  Videos and multi-media presentations.

 Textbooks, appropriate technical papers and other relevant written material.

 Minimum Class B simulator approved by The Nautical Institute.

 Extra simulator requirement for DP Vessel Maintainer practical training.

  Nautical Institute database of training materials.

Validation

The guidance contained in this document has been validated by The NI DPTEG on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping for use by administrations and training providers in developing relevant training programmes for effective implementation of uniform minimum standards for training and certification of seafarers.

Part A: Course Framework Aim

To give the student the following:

  An understanding of the theoretical and practical operation of DP systems.

  Technical understanding of the component parts of the DP and associated systems.

  An understanding of the limitations of equipment and the effects of equipment failures.

  An understanding of the limitations and the effects of incorrect operation of the systems.

 An understanding of work that can safely be undertaken with and without the help of equipment manufacturers and, more importantly, when to stop before affecting the vessel’s capability to perform DP operations or redundancy.

  The ability to find faults in the DP system and its base components.

  An understanding of FMEAs and the philosophy of system redundancy.

 An improved ability to operate the engine room and DP equipment in a safe and competent manner.

  An understanding of MTS vessel design philosophy and MTS fundamentals.

  An understanding of cross connections and their effect on redundancy.

  DP knowledge and vessel/type-specific onboard equipment training.

Scope

Seafarers responsible for designated dynamic positioning duties associated with the equipment’s maintenance or use in emergency situations should have completed The NI Training for Key Technical Personnel (DP Vessel Maintainer) course for service on ships subject to dynamic positioning operations.

This course is essentially a course with practical guidance and information and provides training and qualifications for engineers, engine officers and ETO if part of the ships technical team.

The course consists of theory and practical exercises structured around the safe operation of DP ships, DP classes, design of DP installations, propulsion machinery, auxiliary systems and power generation machinery.

 

Training and Accreditation Standard

Nautical Institute Certification and Accreditation standard, Vol.2 – (Accreditation) current version

 

The Process for Accreditation by The Nautical Institute

Nautical Institute Certification and Accreditation standard, Vol.2 – (Accreditation) current version

 

Entry standards

Refer to DP Vessel Maintainer Training and Certificate scheme, Accreditation standard.

 

Course intake limitations

Refer to DP Vessel Maintainer Training and Certificate scheme, Accreditation standard.

 

Staff requirements & Instructor Qualifications

Course shall be conducted by an NI DP instructor who has also attended The NI DPVM course or NI DP Knowledge for Technical staff Part A.

The course may be delivered by one or two instructors.

The course shall have a suitably-qualified ETO, Chief Engineer or DP Service Engineer to support training. If The NI instructor is an engineer or has good in-depth technical knowledge, then extra support may not be required subject to review by The NI.

 

Teaching facilities and equipment

Suitable teaching spaces equipped with the relevant facilities should be provided to facilitate the effective delivery of training, which could be through lectures, group exercises and discussions, as appropriate.

 

Where the use of multi-media and simulation is intended, it should be ensured that appropriate multi-media equipment and simulators are made available.

 

The following items of equipment are recommended to enable the trainees to undergo practical exercises on a DP simulator that covers section B-V/f* from the STCW Code and the objective of this course:

 

  Audio-visual equipment and material.

 Whiteboard/interactive whiteboard/flipchart for demonstrations.

 Internet connection.

 Minimum DP Class B Simulator recognised by The Nautical Institute.

  Extra simulator equipment as listed below.

 Requirements of Nautical Institute Certification and Accreditation standard, Vol.2 – (Accreditation) current version.

 

Delivery Method

The course will be based on theory and NI B Class simulators and will give the participant an overview of DP operation and the effects of system and component failures. On completion of this course, participants will understand the general arrangements for DP systems and the principles of operation of the equipment. Participants will gain an understanding of the importance of the interaction between the system components and the modes of operation.

 

The course is set up to allow developing some of the course contents into computer-based training. The student- to-instructor ratio will be a maximum of eight students to one instructor to ensure proper learning.

However, a case may be made for up to 12 students depending on the equipment and extra support staff available.

This course requires the ability to read and interpret ship drawings, typical product specifications, job sheets, procedures, material labels and safety information as provided to operators. Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms. The course shall be delivered in English.

Teaching aids

 Instructor manual.

 Visual presentations.

  Videos.

  Drawings.

 Samples of sensors.

In addition, DP vessel drawings or other means of demonstration of ship installations of systems for propulsion machinery and auxiliary power generation machinery should be provided.

 

Note:

 

1. Other equivalent teaching aids, including multi-media training aids such as videos,

CD-ROMs, e-learning materials and computer-based training (CBT) may be used only if approved by the Nautical Institute before being used for training.

2. The NI will provide the following technical support documentation to training schools via The NI website Training Provider

Training FMEA, vessel drawing, product information. IMCA documents approved for use by Training centre. MTS documents approved for use by Training centre.

 

Use of Simulators

If using simulator-based training, instructors should ensure that the aims and objective of these sessions are defined within the overall training programme and that tasks are selected to relate as closely as possible to shipboard tasks and practices.

Simulator Equipment Required

The minimum simulator requirement is an NI Class B simulator in an accredited NI training centre. Course contents shall have an assortment of photos of real equipment and DP installations. Photos must cover all parts of a DP system:

 

2. I/O

• Optical

2. Environmental
3. Position Reference

 

A computer to display different types of serial strings. This may be augmented if a real sensor is available.

 

Students should preferably be provided with real hardware and associated equipment, either operational or non- operational.

 

If a training centre does not have some of the simulator equipment or a screen to show I/O and other information on their simulator then on a case-by-case basis the auditor will ensure the training notes cover the required course objectives.

 

 

Simulator exercises

  Demonstrate a problem of command signal.

  Demonstrate a problem with the feedback signal.

  Demonstrate a thruster failing to full thrust.

  Demonstrate a reject problem with gyro and wind sensor.

 Demonstrate a slow spread of position reference system, then deselect one position reference system to show how a vessel can have a drive-off with all equipment working correctly.

 Demonstrate a slow spread of position reference sensors until one position reference system is rejected by median test/prediction test.

  Demonstrate the high loads caused if the set point speed is set too high.

 Demonstrate the high load caused when changing heading when the centre of rotation is set away from the centre of the vessel.

 Demonstrate having the bow into high wind and current, then turn the vessel 90 degrees and show high load and loss of position.

 Demonstrate if the DP is unstable.

  Monitor the command and feedback value in mA on the DP operator screen.

 Monitor input serial strings into the DP system on the operator screen if the string is simulated or use a computer programme to generate a serial string.

Safety routines

Safety precautions during DP drills are important during this course and affect the course structure. Trainees should always be protected from danger whilst the course is in progress. Training providers should consider the training spaces, equipment, facilities available and the safety of trainees at all times. During the course, especially during practical drills, trainees should strictly adhere to the safety rules laid down by the training provider.

 

All the equipment used for practical training should be properly maintained and approved by The Nautical Institute.

 

Part B: General Outline

 

General Course Content and Competencies

The general course content and competencies comprises of the following outline:

 

  General overview of DP.

 The power system.

 The thruster system.

 Control systems and sensors.

  Documentation.

  DP operation and effects on DP system.

 Safe DP operation CAM, ASOG, TAM and TAGOS.

 Lessons learned.

  Manning, training and competency assessment.

 

Timetable

This NI course has been developed providing a recommended range in duration of 34 hours over five days for lectures, demonstrations, or simulator exercises and NI online assessment and practical assessment. The Training centre is to develop a formal timetable for this model course.

 

Training centres must develop their own timetable depending on:

 

 The level of skills of trainees.

 The numbers to be trained.

 The number of instructors.

  Simulator facilities and equipment.

  Normal practices at the training centre.

 

Course Outline

Review of The Nautical Institute DPVM Training Scheme.

 

  DP hardware and integration with other ships systems.

  DP software, alarms and position control.

  Power system and thruster systems.

  Planned maintenance of DP and associated system and when to call service technician.

Documentation, DP equipment, Class, IMCA and MTS.

  Manning, training and competency assessment.

 Safe DP operations.

  Essential non-DP Systems – safety systems.

  Future trends including automation and Integrated bridge management systems.

 Simulator exercises.

 

The course comprises lectures, demonstrations, and simulation exercises. The outline below identifies the main areas of the course.

 

A learning objective format is used in the detailed teaching syllabus given in Part C; the outline below is a summary of the course material. The numbering system used below reflects that of the detailed teaching syllabus.

 

 

Part C: Detailed Outline

Part C correlates the knowledge, understanding and proficiencies defined in the STCW Code and IMCA 117, with the specific learning outcomes that the trainees should achieve. Each specific outcome is presented as a topic or sub-topic as a learning objective reflecting the knowledge, understanding and proficiency in section B- V/f* from the STCW Code.

 

Learning objectives

The following detailed course outline has been developed in learning objectives