These documents will provide information regarding the requirements and process of the DP schemes. They have been split into the Old scheme (pre-2015) and the New scheme (post-2015).
Please note that the New Scheme details document also contains information regarding Revalidation which can also be found on our designated Revalidation pages.
Please ensure that you are clicking on the correct scheme. Those on the Old Scheme will hold either a blue/green small A6 logbook or a black A5 logbook. Those on the New Scheme will hold a Grey A5 logbook with the additional wording for Offshore Scheme on the front.
NEW SCHEME DETAILS.
The new version of the DP training standard has been split into two volumes. One for DPOs and trainee DPOs, and then a second containing further information for training centres:
A Limited or Unlimited Dynamic Positioning certificate can be issued providing you meet The Nautical Institute’s requirements. The new offshore scheme is for those applicants who started the scheme after 1st January 2015. You will hold the new Grey A5 Nautical Institute logbook.
You must complete all sections of the logbook as laid out below before applying for your DP certificate:
Phase A – Induction Course
The DP Induction Course should be entered into the Induction Course section of your logbook. This must be stamped, signed and dated by the training centre. This date must be within the previous four years upon receipt of the DP application in the NI office. The examination must be passed in order to continue with the scheme.
Phase B – DP Sea Time Records
60 DP sea time days are required for Phase B. These should be completed on a DP classed vessel and be stamped and signed in the logbook by the master of the vessel. This time must be completed after the Induction Course. A minimum of two hours per day can be counted as a DP day.
During these 60 DP sea time days, all items in the Task sections of the logbook must also be completed. The applicant will not be permitted to attend the DP Simulator Course until all tasks have been completed.
Phase C – DP Simulator Course
The DP Simulator Course should be entered into the DP Simulator Course section of your logbook. This must be stamped, signed and dated by the training centre. This date must be within the previous four years upon receipt of the DP application in the NI office.
Phase D – 60 Days DP Sea Time Records
60 DP sea time days are required for Phase D of the scheme. These should be completed on a DP classed vessel and each entry should be stamped and signed in the logbook by the master of the vessel. A minimum of two hours per day can be counted as a DP day.
A minimum of 30 DP sea time days must be completed after the initial attendance of the DP Simulator Course. The NI is able to count up to 30 additional DP sea time days completed after the Phase B DP sea time days (60 days) towards the mandatory 120 days in Phase D.
The optional Sea Time Reduction Course (STR) can be taken directly after the DP Simulator Course. This must be followed by a minimum of 30 DP sea time days on board a DP classed vessel.
The type of certificate issued is dependent on the type of DP sea time which is completed for this section:
Phase E – Statement of Suitability Form
A Statement of Suitability form must be completed after the mandatory amount of DP sea time days in Phase D has been completed.
The master of the last vessel needs to sign the Statement of Suitability form. You, as the applicant, must also sign this form. Please note that if the master is not a certificated DPO, this section will need to be countersigned by the certificated DPO on board the vessel. The signatures on the Suitability Sign Off form will be checked against the final DP sea time days recorded in the logbook and also the PDF Checklist.
Please note that if you are applying and you are the master of the vessel, the Statement of Suitability form must be signed off by the certified DPO.
Scanned or photocopied versions of this form cannot be accepted. The original signed form must be submitted with the application.
For all applications, company letters confirming the DP sea time days must be provided for any time to be used as part of the application. The definition of a DP sea time day for applicants on the new scheme is classed as a minimum of two hours per day on the DP desk.
Once the above requirements have been completed, you will need to complete the online application for the Limited/Unlimited Dynamic Positioning Certificate before sending your documents to The Nautical Institute.
To apply online you will need to log into your account on the NI Alexis Platform. An account will already be held on The Nautical Institute database from when you attended a course at the DP training centre. If you do not know your login details please first try the ‘Forgotten password’ option on the login page.
Please note that your logbook number will be linked to the account that you set up when you attended the DP Induction Course so you must use the same account as the logbook has already been registered to your account. Please note that if you have changed your email address since then, please try previous email addresses that you still have access to.
Once logged in on the NI website, you should check and update any personal details which may have changed.
All the details from the logbook should be added to the online application system. Once the information has been entered, the application should be submitted online to check if you are eligible. The payment option will only be available if you meet the certification requirements and the once the payment has been completed, the application should be sent into The Nautical Institute offices for processing along with the PDF Checklist which will become available after payment.
If the system says that a Limited DP Certificate will be issued and you are expecting an Unlimited DP Certificate, please contact the NI before any payment is made to check why the Unlimited DP Certificate is not being issued.
Documents to be sent to The Nautical Institute offices are:
Once documents are received and logged in by The Nautical Institute, an automatic email will be generated and sent to your registered email address confirming that we have received your documents. Another email will be sent once your documents are processed.
Please note that all applications are subject to verification once they are received by The Nautical Institute.
Please click here to view the DP Operator Certificate Information - Jul 2012.
A Limited or Unlimited Dynamic Positioning certificate can be issued providing you meet The Nautical Institute’s requirements. The old offshore scheme is for those applicants who started the scheme before 1st January 2015. You will hold the old blue or green A6 logbook or the black A5 logbook.
You must complete all sections of the logbook as laid out below before applying for your DP certificate:
Section A – DP Basic/Induction Course
The DP Basic/Induction course should be entered into the DP Basic/Induction course section of your logbook. This must be stamped, signed and dated by the training centre. This date must be within the previous five years upon receipt of the DP application in the NI office.
Section B – Seagoing DP Familiarisation
30 DP sea time days are required for the Familiarisation section. This should be completed on a DP classed vessel and be stamped and signed in the logbook by the master of the vessel. This time must be completed after the DP Basic/Induction course. A minimum of one hour per day can be counted as a DP day.
Section C - Seagoing Familiarisation Watchkeeping Log
A minimum of 50% of the mandatory activities in Section C must be completed within the seagoing familiarisation period (section B). The remaining Section C activities must be dated within DP sea time entries recorded in Section B or E of your logbook.
Section D – DP Advanced/Simulator Course
The DP Advanced/Simulator course should be entered into the Advanced/Simulator course section of your logbook. This must be stamped, signed and dated by the training centre. This date must be within the previous five years to the receipt of the DP application in the NI office.
Section E – DP Watchkeeping Experience
180 DP sea time days are required for the DP Watchkeeping Experience section. This should be completed on a DP classed vessel and each entry should be stamped and signed in the logbook by the master of the vessel. A minimum of one hour per day can be counted as a DP day.
For applications on the old scheme only, The Nautical Institute will accept a maximum of 30 DP sea time days towards the application which has been completed before the attendance of the Basic/Induction course. This time can only be counted towards DP watchkeeping time.
A minimum of 30 DP sea time days must be completed after the attendance at the DP Advanced/Simulator Course for the first time. The NI is able to count any additional time completed in Section B - Familiarisation sea time (after the required 30 days) towards Section E - Watchkeeping (mandatory 180 days).
The type of certificate issued will be dependent on the type of sea time which is completed for this section:
Section F – Suitability Sign Off
A Section F suitability form must be completed after the 180 DP sea time days have been completed.
The master of the last vessel needs to sign the Section F form. You, as the applicant, must also sign this form. Please note, when completing the black NI logbook, if the Master is not a certificated DPO, this page must be countersigned by the certificated DPO on board the vessel. The signatures on the Section F form will be checked against the final DP sea time days recorded in the logbook and also the PDF Checklist.
Please note that if you are the applicant and the master of the vessel, the Section F must be signed off by one of the following authorised personnel:
A note should also be made and submitted with the application to explain.
Scanned or photocopies versions of this form cannot be accepted. The original signed form must be submitted with the application.
For all applications, company letters confirming the DP sea time days must be provided for any time to be used as part of the application. The definition of a DP sea time day for applicants on the old scheme is classed as a minimum of one hour per day on the DP desk.
Once the above requirements have been completed, you will need to complete the online application for the Limited/Unlimited Dynamic Positioning Certificate before sending your documents to The Nautical Institute.
To apply online you will need to log into your account on the NI Alexis Platform. An account may already be held on The Nautical Institute database from when you attended a course at the DP training centre, or if you are a member or ever purchased books from us. If you do not know your login details please first try the ‘Forgotten password’ option on the login page.
Please note that if you have a black logbook, the logbook number will be linked to the account that you set up when you attended the DP Basic/Induction Course so you must use the same account as the logbook has already been registered to your account. Please note that if you have changed your email address since then, please try previous email addresses that you still have access to.
Once logged in on the NI website, the applicant should check and update any personal details which may have changed.
All the details from the logbook should be added to the online application system. Once the information has been entered, the application should be submitted online to check if you are eligible. The payment option will only be available if you meet the certification requirements and the once the payment has been completed, the application should be sent into The Nautical Institute offices for processing along with the PDF Checklist which will become available after payment.
If the system says that a Limited DP Certificate will be issued and you are expecting an Unlimited DP Certificate, please contact the NI before any payment is made to check why the Unlimited DP Certificate is not being issued.
Documents to be sent to The Nautical Institute offices are:
Once documents are received and logged in by The Nautical Institute, an automatic email will be generated and sent to your registered email address confirming that we have received your documents. Another email will be sent once your documents are processed.
Please note that all applications are subject to verification once they are received by The Nautical Institute.
Upgrading Limited DP Certificate Requirements V1
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