Hello,

I am a Norwegian-American mate who is looking to getting a DP induction course to break into the offshore industry, either in the US or Norway. I have noticed that the IMCA and Kongsberg offer their own DP induction courses. Which should I get? Which will be more valuable to someone who can get work in both US and Norwegian offshore?

Thanks for any help!

-Tormod

Hi

As far as I know the only way to get a unlimited world wide approved DP operator certificate is through the training scheme laid out by Nautical Institute (NI). So actually it doesn't matter which training center you choose as long as it has its accreditation from NI.

Some of the DP manufacturers, have their own training centers, but it is only meant to give equipment specific training for crew manning newbuilds. They may give a induction course to their specific DP, but you will not qualify for a DP certificate.

A list over training centers around the world approved by NI, can be found here

NI is, to my knowledge, at the present, the only organization issuing DP operator certificates.

A guide to the DPO certificate can be found here

If you require more information feel free to ask

Great! I appreciate the information. I have a separate PDF listing NI accredited institutions which has additional training sites than what is indicated on the map provided in your last post http://www.nautinst.org/training/pdf/DPtrainingCentres.pdf. As you can see it includes the Kongsberg maritime training centres in various places around the world. I assume, if all of these are in fact accredited, that it makes no difference as to what training centre I attend?

I would go with the list issued form NI, it might be the map is not completely updated. I believe there are 52 training centers around the world, they are all working with the same curriculum, and would all give you the NI DP logbook when you finish Basic Induction. Which of course is what matters in the end.

Instructions of how to proceed with your training after Basic are normally given during the course, but be aware that it will take at least 210 days of seagoing practice aboard a DP vessel, plus the Advanced Simulator Course, after you complete Basic before you may apply for the certificate.

Just a heads up on this subject - In my work life I am the NI DP training Manager so have a little bit of an inside track!

The link for the accredited providers PDF is the definitive list of NI accredited training centres, they have all achieved the minimum standard, they teach to the same course aims / objectives and will issue an NI logbook. There are now 55 accredited centres worldwide

The NI scheme is the Industry recognised training scheme and its structure was developed by Industry stakeholders, not the NI - The NI administers the Certification, the accreditation of the training Centres and chairs the DPTEG, who's remit is to review and develop the scheme.

We have an agreement with NMD where an NI certificate is accepted to meet the legal requirement for a DP certificate in Norway.

The links provided by Compass are not absolutely correct - The documents were revised in January 2010. The documents have been promulgated and issued to the training centres. The links on the website will be updated this month.

If you would like a copy in the interim let me know and i'll email you one.

styrmann_tormod - I am not aware of any DP training offered by IMCA, they are a Trade Association, not a training provider.

Hope that clarified things a little - feel free to ask anytime - I pop on here fairly frequently for a look

Thanks for all the help! This clarifies things wonderfully. It is my hope that with the basic course at least under my belt, companies will be more willing to take me in and start my u/w training, as opposed to having to start from square zero, forking out the money to put me through the basic course. That's the feeling at least that I got from talking to a number of offshore companies.

And its good to know that the NMD accepts the NI training. I was afraid I'd have to go to Norway to get it done.