When considering DP developments, IMCA promised an insight into the importance of DP operating companies having an effective safety management system, and how IMCA M 117 The Training and Experience of Key DP Personnel can assist. It was a topic that Andy Goldsmith, one of IMCA’s technical advisers, addressed recently at the MTS DP conference in Houston.
As IMCA technical director, Richard Benzie explained, the association’s DP incident reporting scheme receives submissions by members and non-members. From these, it is evident that dynamic positioning operators (DPOs) continue to mistakenly press the wrong button and engineers close the wrong valve, and many of these simple human errors are made due to distractions rather than lack of knowledge. So while more complex human behaviour also contributes to DP incidents, even well trained and experienced operators can still make mistakes.
“IMCA raises awareness of these simple errors through our annual incident report analysis,” said Mr Benzie. “As Andy explained in Houston, IMCA is convinced that operational and emergency drills on the job, and simulator training, assist in reducing both simple and more complex human errors. IMCA therefore encourages charterers and vessel owners to work together, so time is allocated within a contract to allow for operational and emergency drills, to ensure necessary levels of competence are maintained.
“IMCA considers competence to perform a task to be more than being able to produce a certificate, although is aware that many vessel operators rely on traditional certification routes such as STCW to evidence their crew’s competence. We feel strongly that experience, knowledge, training and commitment all combine and must be maintained in order to ensure a competent onboard crew operates the vessel. The benefit to owners to encourage every crew member to maintain and improve their level of knowledge and be proactive in learning about new technology and practices is well known.”
An essential part of any safety management system (SMS) is to provide checks and perform audits to maintain and ensure continuous improvements. Prior to SMSs being adopted as the norm, operational personnel within a team checked each other. Now, checks and audits are better structured and recorded. The audits performed as part of a SMS should encourage safe working practices and not just be a tool for highlighting non-compliance.
“In his presentation, Andy highlighted that due to vessel size, some owners are not required to operate an SMS to international regulation. He stressed, however, that all vessel owners will benefit from operating with an efficient and robust SMS, the purpose of which is to provide for the safe management and operation of the ship and for pollution prevention. It is the commitment, competence, attitudes and motivation of individuals at all levels that determines the success, or otherwise, of the company system.
As Mr Benzie explained, IMO MSC/Circ.645/738 is a direct copy of the entire text of IMCA M 117 and provides guidance for companies operating DP vessels. It sets out the requirements for qualification, training, experience and familiarity of key DP personnel, providing vessel operators with guidance specifically related to DP vessel operations to help them fulfil SMS obligations.
Under the IMCA M 117 review, current proposals are to make the identification of key DP personnel more evident, with a new section specifically listing the personnel and defining their responsibilities in relation to DP operations. The requirement for an experienced and knowledgeable person in the DP operating vessel company office with both responsibility and authority to develop procedures for the training and development of all key DP personnel is acknowledged.
“Your input to the consultation stage on M 117, via the IMCA forum, is welcomed, and your commitment to ensuring you and your colleagues work safely is vital. The consequences of getting it wrong can be catastrophic,” Mr Benzie concluded.
Note: John Bradshaw, IMCA's Technical Adviser will be speaking at the 2016 European Dynamic Positioning conference in London see www.dynamicpositioningeurope.com for details
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