DP Operator Manual

Section 5 Non Basic Modes

Non Basic modes of Operation.

Follow Track Auto track mode
The operator programmes in a set of waypoints, that the vessel is required to follow;
it is also possible to programme in heading and speed for each leg of the track.
Usually a low speed mode, high speed modes are available.
Follow track
1. The track is programmed, or loaded into the DP system.
2. The vessel; is set up in DP auto position.
3. If necessary the vessel is moved into the vicinity of the first waypoint
4. Follow track (Auto-track) mode is selected
5. The vessel will start to follow the track as programmed.
6. The vessel can be stopped on the track at anytime

Programmable functions
Speed
1. The operator can specify a different speed for each leg, or a single speed for
the whole track.
2. It may be possible to set a speed that the vessel will move across track.

Leg offset
1. This allows the operator to move the TRACK LEG to the left or the right
2. This may be in increments, or as the operator requires.
3. Track offset left and right is connected to following the track forward or
reverse.
4. In some systems the leg offset changes as the vessel passes waypoint
5. When applying offsets at the start of a track ensure that the offset and the
vessel are on the same side of the track.
Heading
1. The operator can specify a heading for each track leg or single heading for
the whole track.

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2. A system selected heading may be available, this will automatically keep the
ships head, where the least amount of power will be used. Bear in mind the
DP system will change heading in this mode without input from operator,
should environmental conditions change.
3. It may also be able to select that the vessel, heads towards the next waypoint
4. On some systems the operator may be able to control heading manually
5. The operator may also be able to change heading control menu

Position moves
1. normal position move disabled
2. It is possible to offset track legs.

Track offset
1. It is also possible to offset the whole track.
2. Geographic offsets the whole track a bearing and distance, to make an exact
copy of the track
3. Parallel offsets each leg a set distance to the left or the right. The leg lengths
will change using this strategy.
Reverse
1. It is possible to follow the track forwards or reverse
2. The vessel may be able to reverse or turn to port or starboard to head the
opposite way down the track.

Stop or Tracking
1. This allows the vessel to be stopped at any time
2. It may be possible to specify the percentage power used when stopping the
vessel
3. It may be possible to get the vessel to back up to the position at which the
stop command was given

Loading Tracks
1. It may be possible to save tracks to, and load tracks from disk or charting
package.
2. It may be possible to load tracks from a remote computer.
3. There has been a case of a pipeline laid in the wrong place because
difference in spheroid or projection between what the DP system uses, and
what the track was written in.

Pipe lay functions

1. Move up functions are available that will move the vessel up a single length of
pipe
2. Speed set points can come from cable lay computers
3. Monitoring of cable or pipe tensions
4. Automatic slow down in the event over over tension

Turn Radius
1. Generally used to allow vessel to round a waypoint without the need to slow
down

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2. Used during a heading change as vessel passes a way point
3. This may be set for each way point, or for the whole track
4. There may be an automatic function that uses the heading change speed as
set for normal heading changes. This should used with caution, if rotation
speed is set very low the vessel may start to change heading long before the
vessel reaches the waypoint

Turn radius Alstom method

Follow track turn radius Kongsberg method

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High speed auto track

Mode of operation
1. The track is programmed, or loaded into the DP system.
2. The vessel is set up in DP auto position.
3. If necessary the vessel is moved into the vicinity of the first waypoint
4. High speed mode is selected
5. The vessel will start to follow the track as programmed.
6. The vessel can be stopped on the track at anytime

Auto sail function

A cross between auto-track, and auto-pilot.

Mode of operation
1. A track is programmed
2. Vessel needs only main propulsion (azimuths, or main engines and rudders)
3. A position reference is needed
4. Auto sail mode is selected
5. Speed along the track is controlled using the joystick
6. The DP keeps the vessel on track by adjusting the set heading

Auto pilot
The same as auto pilot using the DP system.

Mode of operation
1. DP system is initialised, no reference systems are needed.
2. A gyro input, and main propulsion ( engines and rudders or azimuths)
3. Auto pilot is selected the vessels speed is set in using the joystick.
4. Heading is controlled using the yaw function, the joystick or heading control
knob are normally disabled.

Auto speed
DP without a position reference system

Mode of operation.
1. vessel is set up in manual DP
2. The Doppler log input is enabled.
3. The operator can select zero speed
4. The operator can select to move the vessel using the joystick and the log
input will be used to move the vessel
5. The amount the vessel moves in zero speed will depend on variables such
as log accuracy, bottom lock water lock, etc.

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Follow target (Follow Sub)
There are two methods of achieving this, with a fixed reference system, and without
a fixed reference system.

Follow Target (with a fixed position reference system)

1. The vessel is set up in DP as for position keeping
2. The ROV is deployed; it must have a mobile acoustic beacon fitted.
3. The vessel is moved to a location so that the ROV is in the required position
relative to the vessel
4. The operator sets a reaction radius this is a dead-band so long as the ROV
stays within this dead-band the vessel will not move.
5. Follow target mode is selected, and the operator specifies which beacon it is
required to follow.
6. If the ROV move outside the dead-band the vessels set point will change so
as to keep the ROV at the same relative distance.

Operational notes
1. If the ROV is working in one location then the reaction radius can be relatively
large, then the vessel will not have to move to often
2. If the ROV is following a track the reaction radius should be reduced,
otherwise the vessel may start to lag.
3. Heading can be changed, unless the vessel rotates about the ROV the
relative positions will change.
4. On older systems the change position functions are disabled in follow target,
so to regain relative position it would be necessary to come out of Follow
target.
5. The ship speed needs to be set correctly if it is set lower than the ROV speed,
the ROV will pull away from the ship.

Follow Target (sub) (without a fixed reference system- fixed distance)

1. The vessel is set up in DP as for position keeping, if reference systems are
available, if they are not the vessel is held in position using manual control.
2. The ROV is deployed with an acoustic beacon set to fixed.
3. The vessel is moved so that the ROV is in the required position relative to the
vessel.
4. The acoustic beacon is then selected into the DP system and vessel put into
DP auto positioning mode.

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5. The ROV is the given permission to move.
6. As the ROV move away from the vessel, the DP system assumes that the
vessel is moving away from the ROV.
7. The DP system then applies thrust to keep the vessel in the required relative
position
8. Also known as Poor-mans ROV.

Operational Notes
1. The operator is lying to the DP, telling it that a mobile beacon is fixed. This will
cause a false current to build up. If the ROV changes course and/or speed
position keeping may be unstable for a while
2. The ship follows the ROV completely; ROVs can turn quicker than ships.
Relative position will be lost if the ROV executes sudden changes in speed or
course.
3. Ships speed needs to be set correctly or ROV can pull away.
4. If vessels heading is changed, it is possible to regain relative position as
position change functions are active.

Tanker modes

Shuttle tanker pick up

This is used for shuttle tankers for picking up buoys.

Mode of operation
1. Vessel is set up and pickup mode selected
2. The vessel can then be positioned at a specific location relative to the loading point

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3. This allows vessel to approach pick up buoy and/or hawser
4. Heading is fixed in this mode. (unlike normal approach and loading modes)
5. In light condition fixed heading may be selected in approach or loading

Shuttle tanker approach mode

Takes vessel from outer perimeter to the offloading point, heading is into prevailing
conditions. If approaching an FSU the approach arc is limited to the stern of the FSU

Mode of operation
1. Vessel is set up at a safe location.
2. Approach mode is selected
3. The radius is reduced and the vessel approaches the loading point
4. Speed is reduced as vessel get closer
5. when on location vessel can either go into loading, or pickup then loading as required
6. Approach mode can be used to back away from the loading point
7. An Articulated Loading point is always approached with boom to port side
8. In calm conditions a fixed heading may be selected

Shuttle tanker loading

Holds vessel at a suitable position, and heading for offloading

Mode of operation
1. once approach and pick up procedures have been completed vessel enters
loading mode
2. Vessel rotates around the loading point
3. Vessel is kept heading towards loading point and prevailing conditions
(sometimes called weathervane mode)
4. With an FSU the arc of rotation is limited

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5. There are emergency shut down limits, the vessel may have to emergency
breakaway if these areas are breached
6. In calm conditions fixed heading option may be selected.

Riser Follow
Can be used by drill ships, and DP semi submersibles to keep the vessel in a
position where the riser angle is kept to a minimum

Mode of operation
1. Vessel sets up in DP, and the BOP is deployed
2. Once latched on riser angle information is needed this can be from acoustic beacons
or electronic riser angle modules
3. This can be used as a stand alone reference, or in the normal position reference pool.
4. If stand alone a dead band similar to the reaction radius used in ROV follow is used to
stop the vessel constantly moving location.
5. There has been instances of hunting motions with high thruster loads being set up in
this mode, low gain settings may reduce this, as may the use of real time riser
management systems

Simulator Trainer mode

An option that may be available to allow operators to practice use of the DP desk.

Points of interest
1. Setting that are changed in trainer mode may be left in the system when it is
put back to standby
2. The input signals for sensors are clean, i.e. there is no noise
3. Some sensors are not simulated
4. There are random elements in the wind and wave input

Model Control
1. This is an emergency mode
2. The DP will automatically enter this mode if PRS are lost
3. The operator will be warned if this happens
4. If position references are lost this is also called Dead reckoning
5. In Dead Reckoning the effectiveness will depend on the accuracy of the
information used to calculate the model, or estimated position.

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