Dynamic Positioning Marks 50 Year Anniversary

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of dynamic positioning. Wikipedia defines DP as “a computer controlled system to automatically maintain a vessel's position and heading by using its own propellers and thrusters. Position reference sensors, combined with wind sensors, motion sensors and gyro compasses, provide information to the computer pertaining to the vessel's position and the magnitude and direction of environmental forces affecting its position". 

There is a segment of the Marine Technology Society that is dedicated to furthering the knowledge and understanding of this technology. The first DP system was built in the early sixties. During this time the first system was built by  the CUSS group, a consortium of Continental, Union, Shell and Superior oil companies. The DP system was built from an old war surplus barge. It had a 250-horsepower, direct engine-driven thruster mounted near its four corners. The thrusters were capable of swiveling through a full circle. Direction and engine speed were controlled manually from a central location. A compass measured heading. Today dynamic positioning is used for a wide variety of ocean operations including on drill ships, cruise ships, diving support vessels, maritime research vessels, shuttle vessels, and mine sweepers to name a few. This technology allows vessels to work safely in deepwater environments. DP systems are crucial to any operations using divers and ROV technology.