Nautical Institute Training Scheme for DP Operators

Phase 1 : Shore-based DP Induction course. Intended for officers with little or no DP experience. Duration 4.5 days, college based.

Phase 2 : Sea-going DP familiarisation as understudy to qualified DP watchkeeping personnel. Minimum 30 days in a DP vessel conducting DP operations.

Phase 3 : Shore-based DP Simulator course. Intended for officers completing phases 1 and 2 above. Duration 4.5 days, college based.

Phase 4 : A period of 6 months of supervised watchkeeping on DP operations.

Phase 5 : Verification of the competence of the DPO candidate by the vessel Master.

All of the above will be recorded in a personal DP logbook, which will be issued to the trainee at Phase 1, otherwise obtainable form the Nautical Institute in London. At the completion of the scheme, a final appraisal of the trainee will be carried out by the Master of the vessel (Phase 5), after which the trainee submits his/her logbook to the Nautical Institute, who will issue the DPO certificate. This qualification is recognised worldwide.

DP Technical Training

In any DP-capable vessel, it is essential that the DP system is maintained in reliable order. This is the responsibility of the ship's Electricians, ETOs and Engineers. These personnel must be trained and competent in the front-line maintenance of the DP systems.

At Lowestoft College we conduct a variety of DP Maintenance courses aimed at the engineers and ETOs in DP capable vessels. These courses are intended to equip these personnel with a general introduction to Dynamic Positioning, and a more detailed knowledge of the fault-finding and maintenance of the DP system.

DP Maintenance courses are approved by the manufacturers of the system. The courses are system-specific and cover one particular manufacturer and model of DP systems. Courses are available covering the Kongsberg SDP system, the ADP 700 series system, the ADP 500 series systems, and the Alstom "A" series system.