DP Centre celebrates 10th anniversary

C-MAR Group’s Dynamic Positioning Centre is celebrating 10 years as a provider of dynamic positioning (DP) training. In the last decade the UK organisation has built up a strong global presence and now has five centres of excellence in London, Singapore, Mumbai, Croatia and Brazil.

The industry recognises the centre as the leading provider of Nautical Institute (NI) accredited courses to the marine community. It trains more students to NI standards than any other international DP training provider.

The centre said: “A combination of investment in facilities and a commitment to providing DP courses that fully prepare students for the challenges of being an effective DP operator means that the organisation has maintained its position at the forefront of the international DP marketplace.”

The centre offers training above the accepted minimum industry requirements and was the first NI-accredited training facility that made it a pre-requisite for all of its DP instructors to be fully qualified DP operators with at least five years of operational experience.

Its training mandate also requires that its instructors have operated across a wide variety of vessels, including those in dive support, anchor handling, platform supply and drilling. This means that students are able to tap into the invaluable experience of instructors and guarantees operational knowledge rather than receiving the traditional textbook-only method of training.

The DP Centre formed in London in August 2000 to respond to the need for top-class training in DP following the rise in the use of DP vessels in the marine and energy industries. Since then it has expanded into Singapore, in 2003, Brazil, in 2007, Croatia, in 2008, and Mumbai, in August 2009.

All five of these centres provide technical services to the marine industry through consultancy for the design and operation of DP vessels, failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) and audits to IMCA standards.

The DP Centre allows clients to access a range of additional expertise because it is part of the C-MAR Group. These come via its core services, which include marine operations, management and consultancy, recruitment services, subsea and electrical engineering.

Peter Aylott has headed the centre since 2009. He is chief operating officer for training at C-MAR Group and is spearheading the delivery of an increased training portfolio by the group, reinforcing an already significant service offering in DP training, fluid power hydraulics skills and maintenance tuition.

Mr Aylott said: “Our Dynamic Positioning Centres are now globally recognised as the first port of call for DP training and skills. We have created centres of excellence around the globe to provide the energy and maritime industries with a service that is critical to the marine and oil and gas sectors. In the last 10 years the DP Centre has raised the bar in DP training provision by offering tailored DP courses that address specific needs within the industry. We are committed to providing excellence in DP instruction from contemporary facilities around the globe.” OSJ