Clasification Society Rulefinder 2016 - Version 9.25
Clasification Society Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Offshore Units, January 2016 - Part 3 FUNCTIONAL UNIT TYPES AND SPECIAL FEATURES - Chapter 9 Dynamic Positioning Systems - Section 1 General

Section 1 General

Parent topic: Chapter 9 Dynamic Positioning Systems

1.1 Application

1.1.1 The requirements of this Chapter apply to units with installed dynamic positioning systems, and are additional to those applicable in other Parts of these Rules.

1.1.2 A unit provided with a dynamic positioning system in accordance with these Rules will be eligible for an appropriate class notation which will be recorded in the Class Direct website.

1.1.3 Requirements, additional to these Rules, may be imposed by the National Authority with whom the unit is registered and/or by the administration within whose territorial jurisdiction it is intended to operate. Where national legislative requirements exist, compliance with such regulations is also necessary.

1.1.4 For the purpose of these Rules, dynamic positioning means the provision of a system with automatic and/or manual control capable of maintaining the heading and position of the unit during operation within specified limits and environmental conditions.

1.1.5 For the purpose of these Rules, the area of operation is the specified allowable position deviation from the desired set point, see Pt 3, Ch 9, 1.3 Information and plans required to be submitted 1.3.2.

1.2 Classification notations

1.2.1 Units complying with the requirements of this Chapter will be eligible for one of the following class notations, as defined in Pt 1, Ch 2 Classification Regulations:

1.2.2 The notations given in Pt 3, Ch 9, 1.2 Classification notations 1.2.1 may be supplemented with a Performance Capability Rating (PCR). This rating indicates the calculated percentage of time that a unit is capable of maintaining heading and position under a standard set of environmental conditions (North Sea), see Pt 3, Ch 9, 6 Performance Capability Rating (PCR).

1.2.3 Additional descriptive notes may be entered in the Class Direct website, indicating the type of position reference system, control system, etc.

1.2.4 Where a DP notation is not requested, dynamic positioning systems are to comply with the requirements of Pt 3, Ch 9, 2 Class notation DP(CM), as far as is practicable.

1.3 Information and plans required to be submitted

1.3.1 The following information and plans are to be submitted in triplicate. The Operation Manuals specified in Pt 3, Ch 9, 1.3 Information and plans required to be submitted 1.3.8 are to be submitted in a single set.

1.3.2 Details of the limits of the area of operation and heading deviations, together with proposals for redundancy and segregation provided in the machinery, electrical installations and control systems, are to be submitted. These proposals are to take account of the possible loss of performance capability should a component fail or in the event of fire or flooding, see also Pt 3, Ch 9, 1.3 Information and plans required to be submitted 1.3.6 and Pt 3, Ch 9, 4 Class notation DP(AA) and Pt 3, Ch 9, 5 Class notation DP(AAA).

1.3.3 Where a common power source is utilised for thrusters, details of the total maximum load required for dynamic positioning are to be submitted.

1.3.4 Plans of the following, together with particulars of ratings in accordance with the relevant Parts of the Rules, are to be submitted for:
  1. Prime movers, gearing, shafting, propellers and thrust units.
  2. Machinery piping systems.
  3. Electrical installations.
  4. Pressure vessels for use with dynamic positioning system.
1.3.5 Plans of control, alarm and safety sytems, including the following, are to be submitted:
  1. Functional block diagrams of the control system(s).
  2. Functional block diagrams of the position reference systems and the environmental sensors.
  3. Details of the electrical supply to the control system(s), the position reference system(s) and the environmental sensors.
  4. Details of the monitoring functions of the controllers, sensors and reference systems, together with a description of the monitoring functions.
  5. List of equipment with identification of the manufacturer, type and model.
  6. Details of the control systems, e.g., control panels and consoles, including the location of the control stations.
  7. Test schedules (for both works’ testing and sea trials) that are to include the methods of testing and the test facilities provided.

1.3.6 For assignment of a DP(AA) or DP(AAA) notation, a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is to be submitted, demonstrating that adequate segregation and redundancy of the machinery, the electrical installation and the control systems have been achieved in order to maintain position in the event of equipment failure, see Pt 3, Ch 9, 4 Class notation DP(AA), or fire or flooding, see Pt 3, Ch 9, 5 Class notation DP(AAA). The FMEA is to take a formal and structured approach and is to be performed in accordance with an acceptable and relevant National or International Standard, e.g., IEC 60812.

1.3.7 Where the DP notation is to be supplemented with a Performance Capability Rating (PCR), see Pt 3, Ch 9, 1.2 Classification notations 1.2.2, the following information is to be submitted for assignment of a PCR:
  1. Lines plan.
  2. General arrangement.
  3. Details of thruster arrangement.
  4. Thruster powers and thrusts.
1.3.8 Details of the intended modes of operation are to be submitted. As a minimum these are to include:
  1. a description of all the intended operating modes;
  2. details of the system configuration required for each mode of operation. When applicable, this is to include the configuration needed to meet the FMEA requirements of Pt 3, Ch 9, 1.3 Information and plans required to be submitted 1.3.6; and
  3. the procedures which are to be followed in each operating mode during normal and abnormal conditions.

1.3.9 A set of the operation and maintenance manuals is to be placed and retained on board the unit.

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