DP Mini Guide: Entering & Leaving DP

Crew Connect DP Academy · Mini Guide 27

Entering & Leaving DP

Topic: DP Operations · Sub-topic: Entering/Leaving DP  ·  Level: DPO  ·  Read time: 8 min

1. What / Why / How

Entering DP is a structured sequence, not a single button press: completing pre-DP checks (references, sensors, thrusters, power, alarms all confirmed healthy), acquiring and verifying position on the selected references, confirming the computed position genuinely agrees with reality, and only then transitioning control.

2. Recognition / Risk / But

If two of three selected references disagree by more than expected for a stationary vessel during pre-DP checks, proceeding into Auto DP bakes an unresolved discrepancy into the foundation of the position solution from the first moment. But: before concluding the disagreement is disqualifying, investigate and resolve it — identify which reference is likely correct and understand why, rather than either ignoring it or assuming it's automatically disqualifying.

3. Now / What next / Decision / Why

Correcting a genuine calibration offset and confirming real agreement across all three references buys a trustworthy starting position for the whole operation — the investigation itself confirms which explanation was true, rather than assuming the convenient one.