ABSTRACT
The chapter begins with an introduction to the different classes of DP which are also known as equipment classes. The initial guidelines on this subject are derived from the well-known IMO MSC 645 dated 6 June 1994. These guidelines were later updated by another IMO MSC letter 1580 in 2017. Both these IMO guidelines indeed become the basis of all the information that is used to make the classification of DP vessels. All the classification societies also use these guidelines as the basis of their rules.
The chapter then goes on to elaborate on the three classes of DP namely, DP Class 1, DP Class 2 and DP Class 3. The basis of this classification is the concept of redundancy. Based on the redundancy provided, the vessel is classed . The worst-case failure, and the worst case failure design intent, are the basic concepts behind the design of a DP vessel class.
