DP required tests

[pignutpilot]

Does anyone know where it is written down what test and checks you are meant to do on DP system and their frequency? Such as running equipment of UPS for a set period of time etc...

[chris]

The service manual lists suggested planned maintenance, from memory it just consists of tightening connections.

Most UPS have a self test feature, otherwise I would run an onload discharge test when the DP is not being used.

[laura]

Depends what your using, don?t you have a manual onboard... these things are usually put into the PMS when the ship is new... different stuff for deckies, eto and the engine room... depending on the ship?s class and equipment.

It?s a bit too vague a question without knowing the ship to be honest. Don?t you have a big chunk of manuals onboard from the manufacturer?

DP tests are usually on the scale of monthly, three monthly, six monthly and then annual DP trials (including Failure Mode Effect Analysis) usually carried out with both the class society/ Global Maritime (a kind of independent surveyor who verifies and records results)/ DP manufacturer tech. or similar onboard.

I completely reset and restart everything with our ETO at least monthly or before going on DP ops and do tests on the ref. systems at the same time, as well as washing filters. That?s the bridge side anyway. I know the ETO does regular checks on the UPSes at monthly intervals I believe as well as checks on the power management system side. We also do start up checks each time when we go onto DP.

[pignutpilot]

Depends what your using, don?t you have a manual onboard... these things are usually put into the PMS when the ship is new... different stuff for deckies, eto and the engine room... depending on the ship?s class and equipment.

I've got access to many manuals, but I cannot find a simple concise list of jobs that should be done as part of a planned maintenance system.

Yes you can normally trust a planned maintenance software to tell you the jobs, but I've been on different vessels with the same equipment and noticed that the jobs are not always the same, with some missing. So I just wondered if anyone knew of a list of what jobs were required by regulation, so this can be verified with what is in planned maintenance software

It?s a bit too vague a question without knowing the ship to be honest. Don?t you have a big chunk of manuals onboard from the manufacturer?

It may be a little vague, but DP is DP and there must be a set requiremnt of tests laid out in a table in some publication, I just can't find it.

DP tests are usually on the scale of monthly, three monthly, six monthly and then annual DP trials (including Failure Mode Effect Analysis) usually carried out with both the class society/ Global Maritime (a kind of independent surveyor who verifies and records results)/ DP manufacturer tech. or similar onboard.

Yes that is the kind of tests I'm talking about.

I completely reset and restart everything with our ETO at least monthly or before going on DP ops and do tests on the ref. systems at the same time, as well as washing filters. That?s the bridge side anyway. I know the ETO does regular checks on the UPSes at monthly intervals I believe as well as checks on the power management system side. We also do start up checks each time when we go onto DP.

They are important jobs.

[laura]

DP is usually regulated by class requirements/ best practise (NWEA guidelines as one kind of example)/ manufacturers instructions so there isn?t regs like in GMDSS detailing exactly what checks should be done at a fixed basis, more like if you don?t follow best practise you?ll fail audits and not get the job. It will depend on the equipment you?re using and the class of vessel you?re on. The NI have recently published a ?best practice for DP?book lately, but there?s no set of regs regarding set maintenance periods (although yearly trials and class certs), only best practise/ industry standards.

A full reset/ reboot is standard before taking her on DP, as is a 20min trial/settling period where you go through a standard check usually a fairly standard checklist done by the company to suit most charterer/ best practice guidelines. Like I said Ref systems are usually tested on a monthly basis, same with washing of filters and a standard check of all equipment where possible.

DP is DP, but the checks for a DP3 vessel are a bit different from a DP2 vessel as is the power management system, the structural arrangements and ref systems. So if you want someone to provide some more specific advice, say a bit more. I?ve mostly used Kongsberg.

I was trying to help, but I get the feeling you don?t feel that way?

I can?t tell you how to test your equipment and don?t expect someone else could without knowing what you?re using and if you?re a deckie or eto? Or something else?