Page 50: of Marine News Magazine (June 2012)

50MNJune 2012 PROPULSIONBy Joe Keefe, EditorThe requirement for Dynamic Positioning (DP) capa- bilities on offshore tonnage is growing in leaps and bounds; directly related to the offshore drilling boom in many parts of the globe. And, says Michael C. Ford, Vice President of Commercial Operations for L-3 Dynamic Positioning and control Systems, The global market is larger than you would think. For every rig out there, 7 to 8 OSVs and 2 construction vessels are needed to service that operation. In the next few years, it will involve at least $200 million in DP investment.? Ford goes on to say that offshore operations, as a minimum, now demand DP1 capabilities. For anything carrying drilling mud, fuel and supplies, DP class 2 is theminimum standard. And, the rare workboat that does get delivered without DP is usually fitted to makelater retrofit an easy proposition. L-3s Ford points toward specific markets where huge growth in the need for DP will soon take shape. He adds, In Brazil, they are looking at 30 rigs alone in the next few years. Multiply that times the necessary number of support vessels, and that translates into a robust market.? According to Ford, L-3 has recently refocused its attention towards servicing the workboat ? major boat operators, large drilling contrac- tors, etc. ? because of burgeoning needs in that market. EXPERIENCEAND CORPORATE FOCUSDynamic Positioning has been around since the 1960s, starting with Honeywell. Honeywell eventually sold that offshore division to Nautronics in early 1990s. In essence then, L-3 - which acquired Nautronics in 2006 ? has been providing DP equipment for well over 25 years. As one of the more experienced providers in this sophisticated mar- ket, it also is one the most progressive in terms of equip- ment upgrades and attention to detail. Michael Ford told MarineNews in May, Our main focus is on keeping the user interface as simple as possible.? This he says, keeps operator more engaged, resulting much more efficient and safer operations. Addressing the need to satisfy a wide range and age spread of mariners, he added, One of the things we have to do is bridge the gap between generations ? those more mature mariners who are used to a very hands on approach and with the younger generation who are very much a video game crew.? SEACHANGEIn the global offshore industry, the huge reliance in DP in offshore offshore operations because of the efficiency it offers for boat operators is obvious. Ten years ago, every other boat might have DP; now almost nothing gets built now without at least the built-in possibility of refitting later. In the interim, according to L- 3, the hardware hasnt changed a lot. The same cannot be said for the operating soft-ware has changed. L-3, for example, just did a complete upgrade of their userinterface. The goal, according to Ford, is to provide uniformity across all systems ? Radar, charts, DP, etc. ? so that the opera- tor gains the level of comfort with all compo- nents. Ford explains, Its very much an integrated control system. As the vessels get bigger and harder to handle, the DP makes that easier.? To that end, L-3 Dynamic Positioning & Control Systems recently announced the release of the latest addi- tion to the Navigation Automation Control System (NACOS) Platinum series, adding Dynamic Positioning (DP) to the systems suite of navigation, automation and control applications. Dynamic Positioning & Control Systems developed the new integrated Dynamic Positioning (DP) system working with two other L-3 Marine & Power Systems companies ? Lyngsø Marine and SAM Electronics. The new DP capability comple- ments the NACOS Platinum's proven range of function- ality for vessels of all types and sizes and offers unprece- dented levels of system usability and scalability. We developed the NACOS Platinum DP System according to user-centered design principles, building on the valued feedback from end users and human factors DP Takes Control at Sea Growing reliance on DP tech, a booming global market and the focuson offshore safety means that DP capabilities are no longer optional.