Dynamic Positioning Revalidation

Since January 1, 2015 all Dynamic Positioning (DP) certificates issued by the Nautical Institute in London need to be revalidated every five years based on STCW directives. In order to keep your certificate you should have at least 150 days of sea time in five years. You need to be able to demonstrate those hours.

The revalidation criteria in summary:

• 150 days of DP sea time in five years or
• In the case of less than 150 days of DP sea time in the last five years: 30 days of sea time and the DP Simulator (advanced) course (SDPA) or
• In the case of no sea time during the last five years: 60 days of DP sea time and DP Simulator (advanced) course (SDPA) or
• In the case of no sea time: DP Revalidation course (SDPE)

The Dynamic Positioning Revalidation course and our instructors have been accredited by the Nautical Institute in London. This is partially based on the knowledge and experience of our instructors.

During the Dynamic Positioning Revalidation course our experienced instructors cover the following theoretical topics:

• latest regulation and guidelines
• latest developments regarding sensors and positioning reference systems
• relevant DP incidents and their cause
• alarms, alerts and information messages
• risk assessments, operational planning and identification of danger
• configuring the DP for specific tasks
• actions to be taken as a consequence of system errors

Afterwards you take an online exam at the Nautical Institute and a practical exam on the DP bridge simulator. After a successful completion of both exams you can have your DP certificate be converted to a revalidation by the Nautical Institute.

At the end of this course:

• you are aware of the latest developments relevant to your work activities as a DP operator
• you know how to identify risks early on with the DP
• your memory has been refreshed with what to do in case of calamities with the DP
• you can have your DP certificate be converted into a revalidation

You are working as a DP operator and you do not have sufficient DP sea time to revalidate your DP certificate.