Dynamic positioning operator qualification changes announced

gCaptain - 

The Nautical Institute has announced two major changes in their qualification procedures for Dynamic Positioning Operator certification that will become effective January 1, 2012.

First, they are significantly restricting the amount of “prior” sea time a person can apply toward the document. Many mariners have several months or even years of DP operating experience before they attend the “Induction” course that is the first step toward certification.

That prior service can now be counted toward the 6 months of DP watchstanding service required to qualify for the document. After January 1, the Nautical Institute will only credit a maximum of 30 days of prior service, so everyone will need to document at least 150 days of sea time after the Induction course.

This will significantly extend the qualification time for many people who can now take advantage of the current procedures.

The current system requires a person to obtain 30 days of “familiarization” time after attending the Induction course.

Then a total of 180 days of DP watchstanding experience must be obtained, in addition to completing the advanced Simulator course.

A person who has been working on DP boats prior to attending the Induction course is now entitled to apply that prior DP time toward the 180 days of watchstanding time. When the procedures change he will only be able to use 30 days of that previous time, meaning he will have to obtain 5 more months of DP time before he can apply.

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