QUESTION 3.3.5

Dynamic-positioning personnel training

OilDocumentation, Bridge

What is being checked

The inspector is checking whether key personnel assigned DP duties completed valid DP operator and supporting personnel training within the company requirement and can apply it to the vessel's actual operations and equipment.

Ready onboard

0/7 complete

MATRIXThe training matrix identifies who requires DP operator and supporting personnel, initial timing and refresher interval.CERTIFICATESCourse provider, dates, candidate identity and successful completion are documented.VALIDITYTraining remains within the company interval and covers the officer's present assignment.CONTENTThe syllabus includes DP modes, redundancy, FMEA consequences, watchkeeping, position-reference failure, alarms and emergency response.SHIP TRANSFERLearning is connected to ship-specific procedures, limitations and emergency actions.GAPSMissing or expired training has an approved completion plan and assignment control.COMPETENCEDP personnel hold role-appropriate certification, logbook evidence and recent experience for the fitted class and operation.

Practice questions

Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.

1Who onboard requires DP operator and supporting personnel and why?

Use rank, duties, company matrix and vessel applicability, not a general crew list.

2When is refresher training due?

Show the company interval and calculate it from the verified completion date.

3What practical scenario from the course is relevant to this vessel?

Explain an applied scenario involving DP modes, redundancy, FMEA consequences, watchkeeping, position-reference failure, alarms and emergency response and connect it to ship procedures.

4Does a certificate alone prove competence?

No. Demonstrate ship-specific familiarisation, recent practice and the ability to respond to an abnormal situation.

5What control applies if required training is overdue?

Escalate before assignment, arrange training and apply company or flag restrictions; onboard briefing is not automatically an equivalent substitute.

Where an observation may arise

MISSING TRAINING

A required person has not completed DP operator and supporting personnel.

EXPIRED INTERVAL

Training is outside the company refresher period.

WRONG SCOPE

The course does not match vessel type, duty or required operational scenarios.

CERTIFICATE ERROR

Identity, provider, date or completion evidence is unreliable.

NO TRANSFER

The person cannot apply shore training to fitted systems and procedures.

PIQ ERROR

Training declarations do not match records.

Master's practical note

Choose the officer whose training is oldest and ask for one abnormal scenario. This exposes whether DP operator and supporting personnel remains operational knowledge or only a certificate.

Equipment boundary and references

Equipment boundary: Course equivalence, refresher intervals and affected ranks follow flag and company requirements. A model course is guidance unless made mandatory through an applicable requirement.

References

OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 1, Version 1.0, Question 3.3.5
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1580, Guidelines for Vessels and Units with Dynamic Positioning Systems
IMCA and Nautical Institute DP training guidance, as applicable

Last reviewed: 2026-09-10