Page 93: of Marine News Magazine (November 2015)

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DYNAMIC POSITIONING to come up for renewal annually. That to other industries in the future.” to support their employees who aspire amounts to 4,000 mariners needing But, it is Annessa who perhaps ex- to join the OSVDPA, and for those

DP assessments in a given year – plus plains the merits of the new scheme who individuals whom already hold all of the mariners who have never best, declaring, “It is really an organiza- DPO certi? cation, to plan on taking been certi? ed in the past. tion for DPO members – not so much the OSVDPA assessment as soon as it

Smith concedes that if one company for operators. We have been organized, is available.” or another has joined OSVDPA, it’s and thus far led, by a number of own- As a minimum, the world of off- likely that they will transition most or ers that have had the vision for making shore Dynamic Positioning – partic- all of their mariners to the OSVDPA as- DPO certi? cation more widely avail- ularly for OSV’s – is about to get a sessment scheme. Carl Annessa agrees, able to the men and women that serve lot safer. No stakeholder, regardless of adding, “Hornbeck Offshore will cer- our ? eets, and to do so via a program where they currently sit, would argue tainly encourage our mariners to use that allows their competency, not their that’s a bad thing. And, you can argue the OSVDPA program - both to mi- underlying licenses or the vessels upon about how to go about accomplishing grate existing DPO’s to the OSVDPA which they serve, to qualify them for that lofty goal, but the way forward system, and to commence their journey certi? cation. We are seeking the sup- will almost certainly include the OS- toward certi? cation for those entering port of all operators who utilize DPO’s VDPA as one of the standard bearers. the industry as new inductees.”

What Makes a Certi? ed QOBA?

At the same time, Smith insists, “We certainly hope that everyone who 150 Days in the Recent Service DPO Certi? ed (OSVDPA or wants to use us, will, but we’re not past 5 years at Console Equivalent) in the business of creating mandates 450 hours in the Passage of OSVDPA Flag State on board as- here. We’re in the business of creat- past ? ve years (Phase 4) Exam sessment ing options.” Beyond this, he says, “We don’t limit, and we will not limit, anyone from joining or participating in our scheme, and we don’t believe that our certi? cates will limit anyone to any one industry. There’s no busi- ness model for such a limited certi? - cate program. You have to give guys the ability to advance and progress in their careers as they see ? t. So we are de? nitely not trying to limit anyone from joining our scheme, or once they have completed our scheme, going to another area of the industry.”

Captain Joshua Summers agrees. “OSVDPA has checks and balances based on an individual’s skill – not just time spent aboard DP vessels. If you look at the numbers, I think it’s safe to say that most DPO and aspir- ing DPO’s are working on OSVs and

FSVs. The OSVDPA, its board, and

Technical Advisory Council have hun- dreds of years combined experience in this industry and have used this expe- rience to create a system that ensures these DPOs are well-trained in this in- dustry, and have the tools to transition 93 www.marinelink.com MN

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