New STCW guidelines and industry standards are raising the bar on quality for DP Operator (DPO) training.

DNV SeaSkill™ has over the years developed applicable competence standards to cover DP (Dynamic Positioning) and other areas and is currently certifying management systems, DP courses and simulators on an individual basis.

In order to develop and implement a new system, a pilot project together with the recognised Ship Modelling and Simulation Centre AS (SMSC) in Trondheim was established. As a result, a new standard, “Test Centre for Certification of Personnel” was developed. This new standard covers the area of obtaining a DNV Approved DP Test Centre certificate that permits the approved test centre to issue DPO certificates.

SMSC achieved the Test Centre Certification in February this year.

This will lead to a new and flexible way of achieving a DP Operator Certificate containing a high quality and faster throughput than the existing schemes.

On June 6th this concept received the following evaluation from the Norwegian maritime Directorate:

“The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) considers the DNV concept, as stated in mentioned standards, to be equivalent to international recognized standard. Therefore the NMA requirement is fulfilled when a person holds a valid DNV DP-certificate”.

DNV Class A DP simulator with physical, operational and behavioural realism in accordance with standard 2.14 is a requirement for obtaining a test centre certification.

Dato: 21. juni 2012