DPO Regulatory Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which IMO circular provides the revised guidelines for vessels with dynamic positioning systems?
- MSC/Circ.645
- MSC/Circ.738
- MSC-Circ.1580 (Correct answer)
- MEPC/Circ.736
Correct answer: MSC-Circ.1580
MSC-Circ.1580 (2017) provides the revised IMO guidelines for vessels with DP systems, superseding MSC/Circ.645.
Question 2: Under SOLAS regulations, which chapter specifically addresses safety management systems that apply to DP vessels operating on the US OCS?
- Chapter II-1
- Chapter IX (Correct answer)
- Chapter V
- Chapter XI-2
Correct answer: Chapter IX
SOLAS Chapter IX covers the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which applies to DP vessels in international trade including OCS operations.
Question 3: What BSEE regulation requires operators on the US OCS to submit a DP management system before using a DP vessel for certain activities?
- 30 CFR Part 250 Subpart A
- 30 CFR Part 250 Subpart D (Correct answer)
- 30 CFR Part 585
- 46 CFR Part 61
Correct answer: 30 CFR Part 250 Subpart D
30 CFR Part 250 Subpart D governs oil and gas drilling operations and requires a DPMS submission for DP vessels operating on the US OCS.
Question 4: The Nautical Institute's DP Operator Competence Scheme requires a minimum of how many sea days on a DP vessel before a DPO can obtain a Basic DP certificate?
- 30 days
- 60 days (Correct answer)
- 90 days
- 180 days
Correct answer: 60 days
The NI scheme requires a minimum of 60 documented sea days on a DP vessel as part of the Basic DPO certification pathway.
Question 5: According to IMCA M 117, what is the minimum recommended frequency for conducting DP annual trials on a class 2 or class 3 vessel?
- Every 6 months
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Every 2 years
- Every 5 years
Correct answer: Annually
IMCA M 117 recommends annual DP trials for Class 2 and Class 3 vessels to verify system integrity and redundancy.
Question 6: Which regulatory body issues the Certificate of Inspection (COI) for US-flagged DP vessels operating on the OCS?
- BSEE
- USCG (Correct answer)
- ABS
- BOEM
Correct answer: USCG
The US Coast Guard (USCG) issues the Certificate of Inspection for US-flagged vessels, including DP vessels operating on the OCS.
Question 7: Under NORSOK R-002, what is required to be documented in a DP Capability Plot?
- Fuel consumption at various thrust levels
- Vessel's ability to maintain position under defined environmental conditions (Correct answer)
- Thruster maintenance intervals
- Communication frequencies for DP operations
Correct answer: Vessel's ability to maintain position under defined environmental conditions
A DP Capability Plot documents the vessel's ability to maintain position under defined wind, wave, and current conditions for various headings.
DPO Regulatory Standards 2
Which IMO circular provides the revised guidelines for vessels with dynamic positioning systems?