You’d think omsa would want it to be like a TOAR where you can only get it on their boats, with their captains signing off. Yeah i know you need to get all the DP time and get the onboard quals signed off but requiring an outside “agency” and simulator schools doesn’t strike me a their style. Yes Chouest has their own stuff, but they’re still relying on NI. Bottom line is i guess that the customer requests it per charter so what difference does it make if there is a domestic or stcw endoresment if the customer only wants what the customer wants?
[QUOTE=PaddyWest2012;107420]Maine has been pushing DP education but we’ve hit a bit of a snag. As I understand it, after spending millions of dollars on a new simulator (done by Transas), the NI informed us that while it is a fully DP-capable system it is not up to their lofty standard (it uses Kongsberg, they only accept the other kind, something like that, I don’t know) and as such they refuse to approve at basic DP course on this simulator system. As of right now the whole thing is dead in the water because we’re not going to spend millions more on a newer new simulator and they steadfastly refuse to accept the DP that we already have available.
I agree with letting American agencies take over the DP scheme, even if only for a domestic certification. I strongly dislike having to pander to overseas interests for a credential that I would need to work on certain jobs here in the United States. I think in the long run DP should be worked into the STCW master plan so that there is an international standard that everyone has to follow, but that is probably still a long way off. We don’t go to London to get a pat on the back for our GMDSS certifications, why should DP be any different? International standardization is the only way to go, but in the mean time the USCG and ABS should placeholders for an international system, NOT the Nautical Institute.[/QUOTE]
Nice system, its a bummer. Jim let me put it through the wringer not too long ago. Beats the stuff we were running way back when.
IMHO every organisation in the US involved with mariners only panders to the vessel owners hence you always get shafted- careful what you wish for.