1.2 Phases A–E Pathway

The pathway is linear — skip a phase and you are not certified

The offshore NI DPO scheme is deliberately sequential. Each phase unlocks the next: classroom knowledge, supervised experience, advanced simulation, more experience, then formal suitability. Understanding day definitions, caps, and documentation is as important as thruster theory, because invalid sea time is the most common career delay.

Phase table (memorise this map)

Phase A — Induction + online exam

Phase A introduces the DP system architecture: controller and model, position references, power plant and PMS concepts, thrusters, equipment classes, and basic operational procedures. Delivery is classroom plus training equipment at an NI-accredited centre. Exit assessment is the online invigilated multiple-choice exam (~40 items, ~1h15m, 70%). Passing Phase A alone does not authorise independent DP watches as a certified DPO; it opens the sea-time and logbook pathway.

What counts as a DP sea-time day

Under the scheme, a DP sea-time day is a day on which the vessel spends at least two hours in active or passive DP operations as defined in the NI standard. Active time is time the vessel is maintaining position/heading under DP for operational work; passive time is DP use that meets the standard’s passive criteria (for example standby or defined non-critical holding). Logging calendar days alongside a DP vessel without meeting the ≥2 hours DP ops threshold does not create valid DP days. Officers must record time carefully in the NI logbook structure so company confirmers and NI auditors can verify it.

Phase B — first sea-time block, tasks, and caps

Phase B is where theory meets the bridge:

• Minimum: 60 DP sea-time days
• Tasks: complete the prescribed task section while gaining experience on DP Class 1, 2, and/or 3 vessels as required by the current logbook
• Confirmation: obtain company confirmation of the sea time and tasks
• Maximum days countable in Phase B: 90 Phase B days (you cannot bank unlimited B time as if it were unlimited career experience for this phase)
• Excess active carry: up to 30 excess active DP days beyond what Phase B needs may carry forward toward Phase D under the standard’s rules
• Passive cap in B: a maximum of 30 passive DP days may count within Phase B

These caps stop candidates from completing Phase B entirely on passive time or from treating unlimited sea time as automatically Phase-B-valid. Plan rotations so you accumulate enough active time, finish tasks, and avoid a pile of unusable passive-only days.

Phase C — Simulator Course and practical assessment

After Phase B documentation is in order, you attend the DP Simulator Course. Training escalates to multi-fault scenarios, degraded references, power splits, and operational decision-making (ASOG-style status thinking, escape planning, communication). Assessment is practical: instructors evaluate whether you can set up, monitor, and recover a DP vessel model safely. Failing Phase C usually means remedial training and reassessment per centre/NI rules — not automatic re-entry to Phase A, but you cannot proceed to Phase D credit until Phase C is passed.

Phase D — second sea-time block

Phase D requires another minimum of 60 DP sea-time days after successful Phase C (unless reduced by an approved route). This block is intended to consolidate operator competence after simulator pressure testing. Vessel class and last sea-time composition matter for whether the eventual certificate is Limited or Unlimited (Section 1.3). Keep logging discipline identical to Phase B: ≥2 hours DP ops per counted day, correct active/passive classification, and company confirmation.

Optional Sea Time Reduction (STR)

The Sea Time Reduction (STR) course is an optional NI-recognised training route that can reduce Phase D sea time by 30 days on the standard offshore scheme. Important limits:

• STR does not apply to the jack-up scheme pathway in the same way — do not assume a 30-day cut if you are on jack-up rules
• STR is not a substitute for Phase A, B, C, or E
• Book STR only at accredited providers and confirm the reduction will appear correctly on your Alexis application

Phase E — Master’s Statement of Suitability

Phase E is not another exam paper. The vessel’s Master (or authorised equivalent under NI rules) completes a Statement of Suitability confirming you are fit to hold the certificate based on observed competence and completed scheme requirements. Without a satisfactory Phase E statement, NI will not issue the certificate even if courses and day counts look complete on paper.

Application channel: NI Alexis Platform

Modern applications, logbook workflows, centre bookings, and certificate processing run through the NI Alexis Platform. Practical habits:

1. Create/maintain your Alexis profile before Phase A where possible
2. Ensure sea-time entries and company confirmations match what you will upload
3. Apply for the certificate only when A–E evidence is complete and inside the five-year scheme window
4. Keep scans of confirmations; platform and centre records must agree

Worked pathway scenarios

Scenario 1 — Passive-heavy Phase B. An officer logs 60 days but 40 are passive. If the scheme allows only 30 passive days in Phase B, part of that time does not count. The officer still needs valid days (and tasks) before Phase C.

Scenario 2 — Excess active time. An officer completes 85 valid Phase B days with a strong active component. After meeting the 60-day minimum and task requirements, up to 30 excess active days may carry toward Phase D, shortening the post-simulator sea-time burden if documented correctly.

Scenario 3 — STR planning. After Phase C, an officer takes an approved STR course and reduces Phase D by 30 days, leaving a 30-day Phase D minimum on the standard scheme — still subject to class/last-sea-time rules for Unlimited vs Limited.

Order discipline

Bottom line: complete A → B (60+ DP days, tasks, caps, company confirmation) → C → D (60 DP days or STR-reduced) → E, count only ≥2-hour DP days, and file everything through Alexis.