# DP Requirements
**URL:** https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/dp-requirements/8547
**Category:** Dynamic Positioning
**Created:** [September 23, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/dp-requirements/8547 "2012-09-23T03:15:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/dp-requirements/8547/1 "2012-09-23T03:15:03Z")
Unfortunately, I could not copy the flow chart that goes with this text:
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 1
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE
DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S
CERTIFICATE
July 2012 revision
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE
202 Lambeth Road
London ‐ SE1 7LQ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7928 1351
Fax: +44 (0)20 7402 2817
[www.nautinst.org](http://www.nautinst.org)
[dp@nautinst.org](mailto:dp@nautinst.org)
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 2
INTRODUCTION
The Nautical Institute DP training scheme is the Industry recognised, learning route
to becoming a qualified Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO).
The Nautical Institute has managed the scheme since its inception in the mid 1980’s
and in conjunction with industry has developed the certification criteria. It
administers the certification of DPO’s together with the accreditation of the training
providers.
The institute does not provide DP training, a list of accredited DP training providers
can be found on the Institute’s website
[http://www.nautinst.org/en/dynamic‐positioning/dp‐centres.cfm](http://www.nautinst.org/en/dynamic%E2%80%90positioning/dp%E2%80%90centres.cfm)
The Nautical Institute Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO) training scheme is based
upon the completion of a number of components. Furthermore it is based upon the
participation of many parties, namely the prospective DPO, the vessel
owner/operator, the Master and DPO of DP (Dynamic Positioning) vessels and the
training centres.
This document is designed to give guidance to these parties in the requirements and
operation of the scheme.
MINIMUM ENTRY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ONTO THE DP
SCHEME ‐ from 1st January 2012
Following the Manila STCW amendments 2010, The Nautical Institute has
implemented the following criteria for entry onto the DP Operators Training Scheme:
The Minimum qualification will be set at STCW Regulation II/1 ‐ II/2 ‐ II/3 Deck
and Regulation III/1 – III /2 – III/3 Engine
STCW DEFINITION
II/1 Deck Officers in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 GRT or more.
II/2 Deck Master and chief mate on ships of 3,000 GRT or more.
II/3 Deck Officers in charge of a navigational watch and of masters on ships of less than
500 GRT.
III/1 Engine Officers in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine‐room or
designated duty engineers in a periodically unmanned engine‐room.
III/2 Engine Chief engineer officers and 2nd engineer officers on ships powered by main
propulsion machinery of 3,000kW propulsion power or more.
III/3 Engine Chief engineer officers and 2nd engineer officers on ships powered by main
propulsion machinery of between 750kW and 3,000 kW propulsion power.
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 3
Alternative appropriate marine vocational qualifications will be considered on a
case by case basis.
Prospective DPO’s, who are in the process of training for an STCW certificate
can start the DP scheme and complete the Induction (Basic) course and 30 days
Familiarisation only. The Simulator (Advanced) course and watchkeeping
training can only be completed after they hold an appropriate STCW certificate
of competency.
Prospective DPO’s, not meeting the above requirements
will be able to apply for certification, if they commenced
training prior to the implementation date and all
elements have been completed within a 5 year period at
the time of application.
Following implementation of the above all existing DPO
certification will be honored and will remain valid.
Marine Vocational
qualification: is a
non-STCW Certificate
of Competency issued
by a white list Maritime
Administration for use
in the administration’s
local waters only.
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 4
THE TRAINING SCHEME
The components of the scheme are set out in the following flowchart:
DP Basic / Induction course
A minimum of 30 days DP
Familiarisation experience and
completion of logbook tasks
DP Simulator Course
A minimum of 180 days
DP watchkeeping
experience on class 2/3
vessels
A minimum of 180 days supervised
DP watchkeeping experience on a
combination of class 1,2 & 3 DP
vessels. This must include at least 60
days on Class 2/3 vessels. Any Class
1 time used in this instance will
count as 0.5 time
A minimum of 180
days DP
watchkeeping
experience on
class 1 vessels
Statement of suitability by
Statement of suitability by Master of last DP vessel
Master of last DP vessel
DP Certificate issued
Endorsed “Limited”
DP certificate issued
UPGRADE
A minimum of 60 days DP
watchkeeping on class 2/3
vessels
Upgrade statement of
suitability by Master
of last DP class 2 / 3
vessel
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 5
COURSES
There are two shore‐based courses within the training scheme, the Induction or
Basic course and the Simulator (Advanced) course. Both these courses are between 4
and 5 days in duration and should contain a minimum of 24 hours tuition. The list of
training centres approved for the delivery of these courses may be found on the
Institute’s website.
The Induction/Basic course involves both theory and practice on a simulated DP
system and covers the following topics: ‐
1. Principles of DP
2. Elements of the DP system
3. Practical operation of the DP system
4. Position reference systems
5. Environment sensors and ancillary equipment
6. Power generation and supply and propulsion
7. DP operations
The Simulator (Advanced) course involves principally simulated DP operations
including errors, faults and failures giving the participants the opportunity to apply
the lessons learnt in both the Induction/Basic course and the seagoing DP
familiarisation. It covers the following topics: ‐
8. Practical operation of the DP system
9. DP operations
10. DP alarms, warnings and emergency procedures
Ideally, the courses should be undertaken as set out in the scheme. The sea time
recorded before the Induction/Basic course will be only accepted up to a maximum
of 30 days, from 1st January 2012. These 30 days allow employers to continue the
practice of evaluating prospective DPO’s prior to attending an Induction course.
Any application received before 1st January 2012 at The Nautical Institute
headquarters will be evaluated and honoured by the previous regulation.
The time in excess of the 30 days between the Induction/basic and the
advanced/simulator course will normally be counted towards the required 6 months
DP watchkeeping experience.
On successful completion of the Induction/Basic course the prospective Dynamic
Positioning Operator will be issued with a Nautical Institute’s Dynamic Positioning
Operator’s logbook in which the courses, seatime and suitability as a DPO are
recorded.
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 6
These courses cannot be taken in consecutive weeks (back to back). This is because
the seagoing familiarisation gives the prospective DPO the opportunity to reinforce,
consolidate and put into practice lessons learnt during the Induction/Basic course.
SEAGOING FAMILIARISATION
This is a period of 30 days seagoing DP experience during which the prospective DPO
has to complete the majority of the tasks set out in Section C of The Nautical
Institute’s Dynamic Positioning Operator’s logbook.
[B]The Institute does not wish to extend this familiarisation unnecessarily and so, for
example, if the prospective DPO is on a 28‐day work/leave cycle they may be
allowed to attend the Simulator/Advanced course after one period of sea service.
However approval to attend should be sought from the training centre and/or
Institute.[/B] (emphasis mine)
It is important that as many of the tasks as possible are completed. Furthermore the
attention of those responsible for signing this section is drawn to the need to
accurately complete this section. Although the prospective DPO should have manual
ship handling experience before commencing his/her DP training this task should not
be signed off unless the Master or Competent Officer is satisfied that the
prospective DPO has satisfactorily completed this task.
These tasks should not be block signed, each should be
an indication that the prospective DPO has
satisfactorily completed the task. The Institute suggests
that DPOs take every opportunity afforded to handle
their vessels in manual control.
If the Master is the holder of the logbook and there is
no suitable person to sign the tasks and the declaration
in section C, then he/she may sign them but must
provide an additional declaration signed by either their
relief or a company Manager – The additional
declaration can be obtained from the Institute or
downloaded from The Nautical Institute website.
DP WATCHKEEPING EXPERIENCE
To be eligible for the issue of a DPO certificate, the
prospective DPO must have logged the appropriate
amount of DP time, for the certificate being applied for,
on a DP Classed vessel. The certificate issued will be
dependent upon the DP class of the vessels on which
he/she has served.
Competent Officer: is a
deck officer who holds a
DP Certificate and a
STCW Certificate of
Competency issued by a
Maritime Administration
on the IMO white list.
Unsupervised DP sea
service: is when a DP
Operator (senior or
junior) forms part of a
two man DP watch.
Supervised DP sea
service: is where a
trainee DP Operator is
the third person on the
DP watch and never
operates the equipment
unless under supervision
by a qualified senior
DPO.
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 7
A DP Classed vessel means the vessel must have a DP class notation and not simply
be fitted with DP equipment.
Those prospective DPO’s seeking certification are required to enter the dates on
which they operated the DP system aboard of the vessel.
There has been some misunderstanding in regard to the dates entered in the
logbook for joining and leaving the DP vessel. The dates
recorded in the logbook should only be for the time the
vessel was undertaking DP Operations. The logbook
should not be used as a seaman’s book or discharge book.
The DP time should be carefully and accurately entered in
this section. It is important that the DP class and the DP
system are entered.
The rank entry should include an indication that the
prospective DPO had responsibility for the DP. Thus if
operating the DP system rather than 2nd Mate the entry
should be DPO/2nd Mate.
DP SEA TIME REDUCTION
The period of supervised DP watchkeeping experience may be reduced by the
satisfactory completion of certain intensive DP courses.
Intensive DP simulator training
Shuttle tanker offshore loading courses
DP competence, assurance and Practice training (DPCAP)
The Nautical institute recognises but does not accredit the shuttle tanker offshore
loading or DPCAP training. Third parties approve these courses.
Details of the DP time reductions for each of the above courses are included in the
tables below.
Intensive simulator
training DP time reduction
1st week 6 weeks (42 days)
2nd week 6 weeks (42 days)
Offshore loading DP time reduction
Phase 2, 22.5 hrs simulator time 5 weeks (35 days)
Phase 3, 15 hrs simulator time 3 weeks (21 days)
[B]DP day: Is any day
when DP operations
are undertaken by
the vessel. (A
minimum of one hour
is accepted)[/B]
Dates on DP: are the
dates the vessel is
actively engaged in
DP operations.
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 8
None of the above training may be used to replace the DP familiarisation time, the
final 30 days of DP time or be used for upgrading a certificate.
The maximum allowable reduction in DP time that may be achieved in attending any
combination of the above courses, when applying for a certificate is 84 days of the
required DP time.
None of the above courses can replace the required 60 days practice on a Class 2 or
3 vessel when applying for a Full DP certificate.
Prior to commencing DP time reduction training, Phase 3 (Advanced / Simulator
course) of the DPO training scheme should be completed, followed by a minimum
period of 30 days DP sea time.
A period of at least 30 days DP sea time must be gained between DP time reduction
training courses.
As with the other components of the scheme all DP time or courses leading to
reduction of DP time must have been completed within the previous five years.
New condition for Sea Time Reduction from 1st January 2013
The DPTEG meeting of 7th June 2011, determined that the allowable Sea Time Reduction
course should be reduced from 2 weeks (12 weeks sea time equivalent overall) to 1 week (6
weeks sea time equivalent overall).
In order to allow centres that run Sea Time Reduction courses to prepare themselves and
their booking system, the Nautical Institute is instigating this requirement from 1st of January
2013.
Intensive simulator training DP time reduction
1 week 6 weeks sea time equivalent overall
For students who commenced their Sea Time Reduction training before January 2013 and
have more than one entry for this course (more than 6 weeks) in their DP logbook before
January 2013, the entries will still be acceptable by the Nautical Institute, based in the old
criteria.
However, those students who have more than one entry for sea time reduction prior to 2013
and obtain further entries for the sea time reduction course in 2013, the 2013 entry or any
subsequent ones will not be considered by the Nautical Institute if the total sea time reduction
exceeds 6 weeks.
DP CAP\* DP time reduction
First cycle 3 weeks (21 days)
Second cycle 5 weeks (35 days)
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 9
For those who have started the Sea Time Reduction course after January 2013, the
maximum allowance to reduce sea time will be 6 weeks.
All the other conditions will still apply as following:
The Sea Time Reduction training cannot be used to replace the DP familiarisation time, or the
final 30 days of DP sea time nor to be used for upgrading a certificate.
The maximum allowable reduction in DP sea time that may be achieved in attending this
course, when applying for a certificate is 6 weeks of the required DP sea time.
This course cannot replace the required 60 days DP service on a Class 2 or 3 vessel when
applying for a DP certificate.
Prior to commencing the DP sea time reduction training, Phase 3 (Advanced /Simulator
course) of the DPO training scheme should be completed, followed by a minimum period of
30 days DP sea service.
A period of at least 30 days DP sea service must be gained between the DP sea time
reduction training courses.
STATEMENT OF SUITABILITY
The attention of Masters is drawn to Section F, the “Suitability of officer to
undertake full watchkeeping responsibility on board a DP vessel. “
This is the final assessment of the prospective DPO and Masters should carefully
consider whether they are able to affirm the statements within this section before
signing.
Section F should be completed in the final period of sea time prior to a certificate
application being made.
Masters signing this should enter their own DP certificate number if held. The
signature and the ship’s stamp should correspond to the final entry in Section E.
If the Master is the holder of the logbook he/she should have this section signed by a
certificated DPO on board who should enter his/her own DP certificate number.
If the Master finds himself/herself in the position where he/she is unable to have a
certificated DPO sign this section, he/she should sign this section himself/herself and
have either their relief or a company marine manager who is aware of their DP
abilities, to authenticate it.
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 10
CERTIFICATION APPLICATION
When applying for the certificate, ALL components of the programme, that is,
shore‐based courses, seagoing familarisation, supervised DP watchkeeping
experience and other elements, must have been completed within the previous 5
years.
At the time of application, any element of the scheme not completed, within the 5
year period will have to be repeated.
DP Operators who have been employed “continuously” as a DPO, but who attended
their Basic and Simulator / Advanced courses 5 years before applying for their
certificate, will be awarded a certificate subject to attendance at a
Simulator/Advanced course at an accredited training centre.
“Continuous” employment will be interpreted as evidence of an operator being
employed in a DP vessel for at least 2 years in the last 5 years service at the point of
applying for the award of a certificate, with the last 6 months being prior to
application for the certificate.
The Nautical Institute does not answer “routine” questions about DP time. There is a
self calculator facility on its website
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 11
[www.nautinst.org/en/dynamic‐positioning/calculator‐public‐form.cfm](http://www.nautinst.org/en/dynamic%E2%80%90positioning/calculator%E2%80%90public%E2%80%90form.cfm)
All applications must end with a period of sea service (30 days minimum) that is
concluded with a completed Section F ‐ “Suitability of officer to undertake full
watchkeeping responsibility on board a DP vessel”. An application that concludes
with any shore‐based course will not be accepted.
If the six months supervised DP watchkeeping experience has been exclusively
aboard DP Class 1 vessels, or there is insufficient Class 2/3 DP time in the event of a
candidate having a combination of Class 1,2,3 DP time, a DPO certificate endorsed
with the word “Limited” will be issued.
It is important that every period of service aboard a DP vessel should have a start
and finish date and be authenticated by the Master’s signature. Entries without a
finish date will not be counted towards the required DP time.
If the prospective DPO wishes to submit his/her logbook whilst still aboard the DP
vessel he/she should have an appropriate date entered and that date may not be in
the future. However, as with the tasks in the seagoing DP familarisation, these
should not be block signed or stamped.
If the prospective DPO submits his/her logbook and decides to carry on aboard while
his documents are being assessed and verified by The Nautical Institute, this sea time
cannot be used or counted towards watchkeeping and/or future upgrade of their DP
certificate. In this case, the Institute will only consider the sea time gained after the
issue date of the DP Certificate.
Candidates and Masters attention is drawn to the document “Logbook Guide” that
was issued with the logbook and is available on the Institute’s website and on
request from the Institute.
[http://www.nautinst.org/en/dynamic‐positioning/guidance/logbookguidance](http://www.nautinst.org/en/dynamic%E2%80%90positioning/guidance/logbookguidance).
cfm
It is strongly recommended that the guide is read prior to making an application in
order to avoid incorrect completion of the logbook. Failure to meet the
requirements for application of a certificate will cause a delay in the issue of a
certificate.
The logbook has been designed such that all elements of the training scheme can be
completed and entered. In order to apply for a DP Certificate, the applicant is
required to register his personal details and sea time online, through The Nautical
Institute website:
[http://www.nautinst.org/en/dynamic‐positioning/dp‐online.cfm](http://www.nautinst.org/en/dynamic%E2%80%90positioning/dp%E2%80%90online.cfm)
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 12
After completing it, the applicant should send the following documents to The
Nautical Institute:
Copy of the STCW Certificate (page with personal details, validity date and CoC
number);
Original logbook;
Confirmation or testimonial letter from the shipping companies, with the
following conditions:
1. Be written on original headed paper from the shipping company;
2. Signed and stamped by the Operations Manager, Marine Superintendent
or HR Manager. (Letters signed by Masters or Agency staff are not
acceptable).
3. Dated (the letter should be written and therefore dated, only once the
DPO has achieved the necessary experience);
4. Confirm the total time the applicant has performed as a DP operator on
board the vessel(s), including the seagoing familiarisation period.
5. Recorded sea time must only include actual DP time served on board the
vessel(s); not time on leave/attending courses, etc. This DP sea time must be
broken down and listed as individual trips.
6. Limited DPO certificate holders upgrading to Full certificates only need to
provide confirmation of DP watchkeeping time gained after their Limited
certificates were issued.
7. Sea time experience, not covered by a letter will not be considered for the
DP application unless the candidate can prove extenuating reasons.
Copy of the DP application form, which was completed online and sent to the
candidate’s email address. It is compulsory for pages 7 and 8, to be signed
where applicable.
The Institute reserves the right to return incomplete or incorrectly completed
logbooks to the candidate if the application is not done online or if the candidate
does not respond to the query within 3 months of the application being received.
If, however, additional information needs to be submitted, this should be in the form
of authenticated copies. The Institute may make a charge for processing certificates
where a significant amount of the required information is in supporting
documentation rather than the logbook.
A number of companies have found that a better method of ensuring that only
suitable candidates from their company apply is to have the logbooks submitted to
the company in the first instance, which then separately verifies that all the
requirements have been met. This also assists the company in the management of
their DP personnel and their training and progression.
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 13
UPGRADING FROM LIMITED TO UNLIMITED CERTIFICATE
All applicants for upgrading i.e. removal of the word “limited” must have at least two
months (60 days) actual DP watchkeeping time aboard DP Class 2 or 3 vessels
subsequent to the issue of their “Limited” certificate.
Any DP time on board DP Class 2 or 3 vessels during the seagoing DP familiarisation
period or previously used to obtain a Limited Certificate may not be used towards
the time required for the removal of “Limited” from the DP certificate.
When applying for the removal of “Limited” from the certificate the Institute will
require the logbook, the original “Limited” certificate and the confirmation letter
from the shipping company for the new sea time experience. This is to ensure that
the required additional conditions have been met. The upgrade request should also
be done through the online system, where the applicant shall use the same
candidate customer account number, in which was issue his first DP certificate. In
case the person does not know his/her customer number, it is advised to contact The
Nautical Institute. At the end, and if appropriate, a new certificate will be issued
without the endorsement “Limited”.
A section F (upgrade) will be required to be completed prior to an application being
made. These can be obtained from the Institute website or by contacting the
Institute.
VALIDITY OF CERTIFICATE
At the moment, the Dynamic Positioning Operator’s certificate remains valid as long
as the holder operates DP systems regularly. This is defined as a minimum of six
months DP watchkeeping experience within the previous five years or if the holder
works as a DP instructor at an Institute accredited training centre.
Should a period of five years elapse and the holder does not serve aboard DP vessels,
operate the DP equipment or instruct, the holder should recommence the training at
the Simulator/Advanced course and complete all the requirements thereafter. On
the attendance at the Simulator/Advanced course, the training centre will issue a
new logbook and clearly mark this as part of the certificate renewal process.
From January 2012, the Institute will start printing a validity date of 5 years from the
certificate date issued on the certificates. Further instructions and procedures are
being developed by The Nautical Institute to determine what the period will be for
mariners who have been issued with a DP license to re‐validate their certificate. The
re‐validation process will start in January 2014, allowing industry to become familiar
with the information and procedures.
Based on STCW standards, The Nautical Institute will consider any one of the
following for the re‐validation:
THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE DYNAMIC POSITIONING OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE
Version 2.1 July/2012 14
NI Definition of a “DP day”:
“DP day: Is any day
when DP operations
are undertaken by
the vessel.[B] [SIZE=4](A
minimum of one hour
is accepted)[/B][/SIZE]”
(emphasis mine)
---
### Author:  [@capitanahn](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/capitanahn)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2012, 10:56am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/dp-requirements/8547/2 "2012-09-23T10:56:36Z")
This is new learning, one hour is minimum for one DP day…
Great info. thank you, Tugsailor…
---
### Author:  [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/dp-requirements/8547/3 "2013-01-25T18:24:24Z")
Bump re one (1) hour.
I looked for a few minutes, but I did not see anything about allowing tests and audits as DP seatime.
---
### Author:  [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2013, 3:26am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/dp-requirements/8547/4 "2013-01-26T03:26:52Z")
Try again. Bump.
---
### Author:  [@futurenmc](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/futurenmc)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2013, 8:59am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/dp-requirements/8547/5 "2013-01-26T08:59:43Z")
as far as the 30 days of seatime that counts towards your certificate that you obtained PRIOR to taking the basic class…Do you have to hold your license? be sailing on your license? or Be on the boat? I guess what im asking is if someone has their license but is sailing as a deckhand will this time still count? Anyone have any idea