The International Dynamic Positioning Excellence Awards 2011

The International Dynamic Positioning Operators Association (IDPOA) is delighted to announce the winners of the 2011 International Dynamic Positioning Excellence Awards.

The world of dynamic positioning (DP) is about people - not just technology. The human element combines with cutting edge equipment and vessels to make DP the success it has become, coming together as a sum greater than its parts.

The awards stand testimony to the skill, dedication, effort and commitment of people who strive to be the best and who help others become better too. We are about the DPOs, lecturers, leaders and mentors... these are the people driving DP excellence and these awards are for them.

The winners are as follows:

DP Operator of the Year - Malcolm Benson

The DPO of the year is a significant award, it recognises not just that there are committed, dedicated and highly skilled operators out in the field, but that such people care about their profession. They care about safety, the environment and of giving back to their profession. A DPO who not only has detailed knowledge of the equipment but is a highly skilled, experienced and diligent operator. Ensuring not only the proper execution of duties but goes above and beyond to make the right things happen and the wrong don't. Malcolm can do every role and has worked on every piece of kit, he is hugely capable and above all is a real gentleman.

DP Lecturer of the Year - Matt Barney of AMC Search

Matt was runner-up last year, and his popularity continues to shine. It takes genuine knowledge, skill and a capacity to engage with students to lift the DP training environment from the classroom and allow students to feel where their newly found ability fits into their professional lives. He has the knowledge and experience born from working in the classroom and out in the field. That would be impressive enough, but is built on calm, assured, easy going and engaging capacity to get knowledge across to students and to bring the best out of the DP system, the course and the people.

DP Mentor of the Year - Charlie Stuart

For experienced and junior DP Operators alike, it is hugely important to be guided and encouraged by someone with real leadership skill, operational expertise and enthusiasm. In Charlie, the DP Operators working with him have someone who is willing and able to support and lead not just in the office but out in the field, and is someone who is always ready to help. He has turned the role of DP mentor into his own; he has created a role, a position and a system of management which many companies can perhaps learn from. Do you help your DPO's in the way Charlie does? If not, perhaps it is time you did?

DP Training Centre of the Year - AMC Search

This award is presented jointly to the AMC search training centres in Perth and Tasmania, Australia. It is all too easy for students to leave training centres with barely a look back over their shoulder. That is certainly not the case with AMC. With first class facilities, dedicated, professional and passionate lecturing staff, AMC was a highly popular winner.

DP Manufacturer of the Year - Kongsberg

As DP equipment seems to get better and better, it is perhaps hard for equipment manufacturers to truly differentiate themselves. However, with excellence in innovation, intuition, quality, control and service the award to Kongsberg was a very popular one. Their equipment is fitted on more ships than anyone else, and the DPOs like them.

DP Employer of the Year - EMAS Offshore

The company won special praise for its leadership and vision, which is led from the very top. The passion and desire to succeed, which is evidenced by the highest levels of management, acts as an inspiration to those who work for the company. Add to that the training and support which they experience, and it is easy to see why EMAS has achieved this award. Congratulations.

DP Vessel of the Year - DP2 vessel, "OSV RELUME"

According to the nomination process, the vessel performed almost faultlessly on DP - throughout the construction phase of Greater Gabbard Windfarm, and exceeded all expectations. The performance of the vessel, owned by Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS), showed that you do not have to be the biggest, most powerful and most expensive to be regarded with the best.

Services to DP Award - Bill Milne

Bill has been a DP Instructor for 25 years of great service to the DP industry. His knowledge and enthusiasm have impressed students over many years. He turns 70 years of age in January, but is still working hard passing on DP to the next generation. Bill was nominated and chosen for this fitting award for selfless long service and a commitment to making the students he teaches the best they can be. We felt it important to recognise the contribution to training of DP Operators made by Bill. Whenever you speak to influential people working with DPOs, his name is mentioned as having been a positive influence on them. He has been doing it a long time and a lot of people have benefitted. Having been teaching for half the life of DP itself means that the innovation, changes, developments he has brought to the industry highlight the approach, philosophy and dedication which has run so long through a career based on bringing good things to the industry and of the people he trains.