Dynamic Positioning

Crew Connect DP Academy

Most DP training asks "do you know the answer?" This asks: you're on watch — what do you do next? Mini guides that teach the reasoning, paired with decision chains that test whether you can actually apply it under a developing situation.

Three pillars

Learn it. Prove you understand it. Prove you can apply it.

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DP Knowledge

Mini guides covering one system or failure mode at a time — what it is, why it matters, how to recognise it going wrong, and what the risk actually is.

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DP Competency

Knowledge Checks and Mock Exam packs test whether the concepts have actually stuck — not just whether you can recall a definition.

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DP Decision Simulator

Leading-question chains and branching scenarios put you inside a developing situation — recognise it, decide, live with the consequence, reassess.

Cascade Simulators

When more than one thing goes wrong at once

Full branching scenarios — 13 decision nodes each, multiple real endings depending on what you choose. Every Mini Guide teaches one failure in isolation; these test whether you can hold several at once, under pressure, with someone pushing you to keep going.

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Loss of Position

A DP2 OSV during a critical close-proximity task. A quiet GNSS drift, an authority-gradient decision, a generator trip — does it stay a near-miss or become a real excursion?

13 decision nodes · multiple endings

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GNSS Spoofing — Gangway Crossing

A DP2 SOV alongside a turbine, technicians actively crossing. Two GNSS references start agreeing with each other — is that confirmation, or the same fault twice?

13 decision nodes · multiple endings

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Closed-Bus Blackout, Riser Connected

A DP3 drillship, riser connected, closed bus. One generator's trend is worth splitting the bus over — before it decides for you.

13 decision nodes · multiple endings

Mini guide library

Every guide, one decision chain each

Read the guide, then work the same situation through 8 linked decisions in the Decision Simulator.

MG-02

PRS — Loss of a Position Reference

Position Reference Systems

MG-03

PRS — Bad or Unreliable Reference

Position Reference Systems

MG-04

GNSS — Jamming and Spoofing

Position Reference Systems

MG-06

Thruster — Loss of a Thruster

Thrusters & Propulsion

MG-07

Power — Generator Trip

Power Generation

MG-08

Redundancy — Worst Case Failure

Redundancy & Assurance

MG-09

ASOG — Green to Yellow

Operational Activity Planning

MG-10

Loss of Position — Full Decision Scenario

DP Emergencies · Branching scenario

MG-12

Power — Blackout

Power Generation

MG-14

Drive-Off — Uncommanded Thrust

DP Emergencies

MG-17

Watchkeeping & Handover

DP Watchkeeping

MG-18

Diving / DSV Operations

Industrial Mission

MG-19

ROV Operations

Industrial Mission

MG-20

Offshore Wind — Walk-to-Work

Industrial Mission

MG-21

Drillship / MODU Well Operations

Industrial Mission

MG-22

Crane Operations & Construction Support

Industrial Mission

MG-23

DP System Resilience — Defence in Depth

Redundancy & Assurance

MG-24

DP Computer & Network Failure

DP Control System

MG-27

Entering & Leaving DP

DP Operations

Boundary

What this is — and isn't

  • A place to build and rehearse DP judgement between formal courses, familiarisation and full-mission simulator training
  • Grounded in IMO MSC.1/Circ.1580, IMCA guidance (M103, M117, M166, M190, M220, M252) and MTS PDDP2
  • Free to use while this section is in active development

Not an approved DP system, a substitute for your vessel's DP Operations Manual/FMEA/ASOG, an authority to operate, or a certification provider. Always follow your vessel's approved procedures and the Master's authority.

Start with Mini Guide 01

DP Fundamentals — the control loop every other guide builds on.

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