DPO Safety Protocols & Emergency Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a DP incident, the vessel experiences an unexpected drive-off. What is the first action the OOW should take?
- Increase thruster power to counteract the drift
- Engage manual override and take direct control of the vessel (Correct answer)
- Activate the emergency stop and alert all personnel
- Reduce thruster output to allow controlled repositioning
Correct answer: Engage manual override and take direct control of the vessel
When a drive-off occurs, the OOW should immediately engage manual override to take direct control and prevent further uncontrolled movement.
Question 2: Which document defines the minimum safe separation distances between a DP vessel and a subsea structure?
- The vessel's Station Keeping Operations Manual (SKOM) (Correct answer)
- The International Safety Management (ISM) Code
- The vessel's Dynamic Positioning Capability Plot
- The IMCA M 109 reference document
Correct answer: The vessel's Station Keeping Operations Manual (SKOM)
The Station Keeping Operations Manual (SKOM) specifies operational limits including minimum safe separation distances from subsea structures.
Question 3: What does a 'worst case failure' (WCF) analysis determine in DP operations?
- The maximum speed the vessel can achieve during emergency transit
- The single failure that causes the greatest loss of position keeping ability (Correct answer)
- The minimum number of crew required for safe DP operations
- The maximum wave height the vessel can operate in
Correct answer: The single failure that causes the greatest loss of position keeping ability
Worst case failure analysis identifies the single failure mode that causes the greatest degradation of the vessel's position keeping capability.
Question 4: When should a DP trial be conducted on a vessel returning from drydock?
- Only if major modifications were made to the DP system
- Before any DP operations commence, regardless of modifications (Correct answer)
- Within 30 days of returning to service
- Only if the class society requires it
Correct answer: Before any DP operations commence, regardless of modifications
A full DP trial must be conducted before resuming DP operations after drydock to verify all systems function correctly.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'red zone' designation in a DP diving support operation?
- It marks areas where anchor handling is prohibited
- It identifies the exclusion area around the dive spread where vessel movement is critically restricted (Correct answer)
- It designates zones where only DP Class 3 vessels may operate
- It marks areas with subsea pipeline hazards
Correct answer: It identifies the exclusion area around the dive spread where vessel movement is critically restricted
The red zone defines the critical exclusion area around the dive spread where any vessel movement could endanger divers.
Question 6: A DP operator notices the vessel is experiencing repeated thruster failures in rough weather. What action should be taken?
- Continue operations and log the failures for later review
- Reduce DP mode from Auto to Manual to conserve thruster capacity
- Conduct a risk assessment and consider suspending operations (Correct answer)
- Switch to a lower DP class to reduce system demand
Correct answer: Conduct a risk assessment and consider suspending operations
Repeated thruster failures in adverse weather require a risk assessment, and operations should be suspended if the failure pattern indicates a safety risk.
Question 7: What is the significance of a 'yellow alert' on a DP vessel during well intervention operations?
- It signals that the vessel has drifted beyond its position reference limits
- It warns that conditions are deteriorating and operators should prepare for possible disconnection (Correct answer)
- It indicates a minor thruster fault that requires monitoring
- It notifies crew that a scheduled maintenance window is approaching
Correct answer: It warns that conditions are deteriorating and operators should prepare for possible disconnection
A yellow alert indicates deteriorating conditions and signals personnel to prepare for potential emergency disconnection from the wellhead.
DPO Safety Protocols & Emergency Procedures 2
During a DP incident, the vessel experiences an unexpected drive-off.
What is the first action the OOW should take?