Industry Background

Since 2023, to meet the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), DPOs and DPVMs are required to undertake continuous learning after obtaining their certificates. They must keep abreast of the latest industry requirements and technologies to continuously upgrade their professional competencies and avoid skill degradation caused by long-term lack of systematic training. This ongoing learning programme is referred to as CPD (Continuous Professional Development). The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has also incorporated CPD requirements in its publication M117, providing specifications and guidance on CPD content for DP personnel.

Starting from 2023, applicants seeking renewal of expired DPO and DPVM certificates must provide evidence of compliance with CPD requirements set out by IMO and IMCA M117. The Nautical Institute (NI) has issued a guideline entitled Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Revalidation of the Nautical Institute DP Operator Certificate and DPVM Certificates, and has authorised training centres to deliver the corresponding course. Following feedback from stakeholders in 2026, the course title was revised to DP Revalidation Course.

DPO Revalidation Course Introduction

Course Schedule

·       Quantity of candidates: 4 participants per session

·       Duration: Monday to Friday, 34 training hours

·       Daily hours: 09:00 – 17:00

·       Language of instruction: Chinese / English

Target Participants

Participants must hold valid DPO certificates with expiry within one year.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

·       Master the latest applicable regulations

·       Master the latest technologies in sensors and position reference systems

·       Understand recent DP-related incidents and their root causes

·       Identify various alarms, warnings and general DP system information

·       Operate and configure DP systems for specific operational tasks

·       Independently perform operational tasks, conduct risk assessment and identify hazards

·       Take appropriate actions in the event of system failures

Main Training and Assessment Content

The course consists of three parts: systematic theoretical study, simulator practical training, and individual practical assessment. It enables DPOs to:

·           Understand the latest regulations, including IMO requirements, classification society rules for DP systems, IMCA guidelines, the latest ASOG, FMEA reports, DP incident reports, etc.

·           Understand various types of sensors and position reference systems, as well as their redundant configurations under different operating modes

·           Understand proper DP system setup, accurate identification of alarms, compliance with redundancy requirements, and assessment of the operating environment

·           Conduct operational risk assessments and develop detailed operational plans (including positioning and emergency evacuation procedures) prior to DP operations, based on tasks, weather and sea conditions

·           Perform comprehensive pre-operation inspections of DP systems, complete system configuration, and fill out DP checklists

·           Execute positioning operations in accordance with operational plans, including mode switching between Joystick and Auto DP

·           Inspect DP systems at the worksite, complete DP operation records and checklists, respond properly to alarms and abnormal conditions, and evacuate the vessel to a safe area via the planned route if operations cannot be completed

·           Verify DP system status and complete handover checklists during shift handovers

·           Depart the worksite and manoeuvre the DP-equipped vessel to a safe area upon completion of tasks in accordance with the operational plan

Examination, Assessment and Certification

After completing all training hours, participants must take an online examination via the NI testing system, with a passing score of 70 points.

Upon full course completion and passing both the online examination and practical assessment, the training provider will issue a course completion certificate bearing the NI logo.