1st Edition

Dynamic Positioning for Engineers

By Surender Kumar Copyright 2021
    194 Pages 105 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    194 Pages 105 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Dynamic Positioning for Engineers enables the reader to acquire the basic knowledge of the concepts and understanding of the dynamic positioning (DP) system from the systems perspective. This book illustrates the system, subsystems and components of the DP system to better tackle maintenance, problems and breakdowns, leading to an increased mean time between failures and effective fault finding on dynamic positioning DP-related equipment. Overall, this text will help professionals reduce downtime and higher repair costs. Aimed at onboard electrical engineers, engine room watch officers, chief engineers, DP professionals onboard, in onshore officers and those taking DP training courses, this book:

    • Explains automation and its application in the DP system
    • Describes environmental sensors and position reference sensors as important inputs to the DP system
    • Includes chapters on power management and thrusters
    • Aids engineers in maintaining a the DP system in good operational condition

    1. Introduction to Offshore
    1.1. Drilling operations
    1.2. Offshore structures
    2. Historical background to development of Dynamic Positioning
    2.1. Background and History of Dynamic Positioning Development
    2.2. Developments
    3. The Seven Components of DP System
    3.1. Sub Systems and grouping
    4. Six Degrees of Freedom – Basics of Dynamic Positioning
    4.1. Ship’s movements
    4.2. Movements Controlled and Monitored By DP
    4.3. Mathematical Model
    4.4. DP System
    4.5. Advantages and Disadvantages of the DP System
    4.6. Wind Feed Forward
    4.7. Excursion or feedback of ships position
    4.8. Current Feedback
    4.9. Thruster Allocation Logic
    4.10. Quick-current or fast learn
    4.11. Kalman Filter
    4.12. DP Operational Modes
    5. Different Types of DP Vessels and their applications
    5.1. Types and applications of DP enabled ships
    5.2. Other Specialised Vessels
    5.3. DP Advantages
    6. DP Class / Equipment class (IMO-MSC 645/1580)
    6.1. Introduction to DP Class
    6.2. Major Class DP Notations
    6.3. DP Vessel Class / IMO DP Class  
    6.4. Basic/hardwired DP System
    6.5. Integrated/networked DP System
    7. Basics of Electrical Propulsion and Thruster Types
    7.1. Basics of Electrical Propulsion and Thruster Types
    7.2. Diesel Electric Propulsion for DP Vessels
    7.3. Thruster Response and Accuracy
    7.4. Thruster Modes
    7.5. Different types of propulsion units and thrusters
    7.6. Comparison of Diesel-mechanical (DM), Diesel-electric (DE) and Hybrid
    7.7. Precautions while working of CPP Drives
    8. Thruster Controls and Automation of thrusters in DP
    8.1. Introduction
    8.2. Thruster Response and Accuracy
    8.3. Thruster control and automation
    8.4. Thruster Monitoring and Alarm
    9. Power Management System
    9.1. Introduction
    9.2. Estimation of DP Power requirements
    9.3. Power Management System
    9.4. Power Blackouts – Causes
    9.5. Power Blackout avoidance strategies
    9.6. Functions of PMS
    9.7. Load Sharing
    9.8. Uninterrupted Power Supply
    10. Harmonics in Power Syatem
    10.1. Introduction
    10.2. Base frequency
    10.3. What is “Triplen” in Harmonics
    10.4. Effects of Harmonics
    10.5. Finding and measuring harmonics in power system
    10.6. Correcting harmonics in power system
    11. Introduction to Environmental Sensors
    11.1. Introduction
    11.2. Sensor Redundancy
    11.3. VRU /VRS/MRU
    11.4. Gyro Compass in a DP System
    11.5. Wind Sensors
    12. Introduction to Position Reference Sensors
    12.1. Introduction
    12.2. Basic working principles of the PRS/PME
    12.3. Radar/Microwave based systems
    12.4. LASER
    12.5. Acoustics
    12.6. Mechanical PRS - Taut Wire Position Reference System
    12.7. Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Radars
    12.8 RangeGuard
    13. Handling of Position Reference Sensors & Various Tests on PRS
    13.1. Introduction
    13.2. Various Tests on PRS
    13.3. Processing of data from PRS/PME
    13.4.  Conclusion
    14. Architecture of DP System
    14.1. Introduction
    14.2. System architecture for a DP Class 1 System
    14.3. System architecture for a DP Class 2 System
    14.4. System architecture for a DP Class 3 System
    15. Basics of Networking in DP Systems
    15.1. Introduction to Communications in DP System
    15.2. Networking in DP System
    15.3. Basics of networking
    15.4. Common troubles in networking and their remedies
    15.5. General Troubleshooting Steps for Network problems
    16. Types of Signals used in DP Automation
    16.1. Introduction - Different types of signals in marine automation
    16.2.  Serial Line Interface
    16.3. NMEA 0183 
    16.4. Position Reference System (PRS)  Interfaces
    16.5. Signals used for Environmental Sensor Interface
    16.6. Signals for Thruster Interfaces
    16.7. Signals for Power Plant Interfaces
    16.8. Other Interfaces
    17. Consequence Analysis, Capability Plot, Foot prints and Motion Prediction
    17.1.  Introduction -Consequence Analysis 
    17.2.  Capability Plot
    17.3. Foot Prints
    17.4. Motion Prediction
    18. DP Trials & Documentation
    18.1. Introduction
    18.2. IMCA Guidance on DP Trials
    18.3. DP FMEA/FMECA Proving Trials
    18.4. DP Vendor Reports
    18.5. DP Correspondence/communication
    18.6. DP Fault Log
    18.7. DP Incident Log
    18.8. Operational Issues
    19. Circuit Tracing & Fault Finding on DP
    19.1. Introduction
    19.2. How to Read ingle Line Diagrams/Schematics
    19.3. Fault Finding Procedures
    19.4. Software fault and related issues
    20. Roles and Responsibilities
    20.1. Introduction
    20.2. Captain/Master
    20.3. SDPO/DPO
    20.4. Chief Engineer
    20.5. Engineer of the Watch
    20.6. Electrical Technical Officer (ETO)

    21. Glossary

    22. References

    Biography

    Founding Director and the current Vice President of the Maritime Trainers Guild (India). A Chartered Engineer (UK), Chartered Marine Engineer (UK), Chartered Marine Technologist, Fellow - Institute of Marine Engineering Science & Technology(FIMarEST).Fellow (FNI) - The Nautical Institute, London. Fellow (fDPO) - International Association of DP Operators-London. PhD Thesis - in the field of Maritime Training Evaluation titled "Effectiveness of Seafarer's Training Using Maritime Simulators". An internationally experienced maritime trainer, genuinely interested in learning and teaching Dynamic Positioning and other simulator based specialised training. Experienced in setting up and getting The Nautical Institute accreditation of DP Training facilities. Experienced in leading a team to design, develop and getting MCA (UK) approval for various training schemes for deck and engine departments.