QUESTION 4.5.4

DP operations manual, capability and ASOG

OilBridge

What is being checked

The inspector is checking whether the vessel has a ship-specific DP manual that converts FMEA, capability and activity risks into clear operating limits, checklists and degraded-state actions, and whether plans, records and interviews demonstrate that the procedure is applied during real voyages rather than completed only as paperwork.

Ready onboard

0/6 complete

PROCEDUREThe controlled manual covers system architecture, modes, redundancy, checklists, communications, watchkeeping, emergencies, capability plots, consequence analysis and ASOG.EVIDENCESelect the current activity and trace environmental limits, configuration, ASOG status, checklists and consequence analysis to the approved manual and FMEA.RESPONSIBILITYThe Master and responsible officers can identify who prepares, verifies, approves and monitors each stage.SHIP SPECIFICDiagrams, equipment names, redundancy groups and failure effects match the vessel's current configuration.CAPABILITYPlots use the relevant intact and worst-case failure cases and their assumptions are understood.CHECKLISTSArrival, setup, pre-operation, watch, trials, degraded mode and departure checks are controlled and used.

Practice questions

Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.

1What is the operational purpose of dp operations manual, capability and asog?

The vessel has a ship-specific dp manual that converts fmea, capability and activity risks into clear operating limits, checklists and degraded-state actions.

2Show how the procedure was applied on the last voyage.

Select the current activity and trace environmental limits, configuration, ASOG status, checklists and consequence analysis to the approved manual and FMEA.

3Which decision requires the Master's judgement?

The Master decides whether environmental and equipment conditions remain within the safe operating envelope and when to suspend or abort before position is lost.

4What happens if the planned control becomes invalid?

Follow the colour or status actions in the ASOG, notify the installation, reduce consequence, disconnect or move clear and investigate before resuming.

5How are changes communicated and recorded?

Brief the affected bridge and machinery personnel, amend the controlled plan or record, obtain required approval and retain the reason and revised limits.

Where an observation may arise

PAPER COMPLIANCE

Records exist but the bridge team cannot relate them to the actual voyage or operation.

CHANGE UNCONTROLLED

A material change is not reassessed, approved, briefed or recorded.

GENERIC MANUAL

Content is copied or does not match fitted DP equipment.

ASOG CONFLICT

Activity limits do not align with FMEA, field requirements or consequence analysis.

PLOT MISUSE

A capability envelope is treated as an operating target without accounting for safety margin and transients.

Master's practical note

Choose one yellow or red ASOG trigger and ask for the physical response. Colour coding has no value if the team cannot state who stops the activity and how the vessel moves clear.

Equipment boundary and references

Equipment boundary: Applicable only to oil vessels with DP or shuttle-tanker operations. Capability plots are analytical limits under stated assumptions, not guaranteed safe operating limits.

References

OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 1, Version 1.0, Question 4.5.4
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1580
IMCA M 220
Applicable class DP rules
Vessel FMEA and proving-trials documentation

Last reviewed: 2026-09-11