{"schema":"https://ver.cy/schemas/card/1.0.0","id":"vr.tr.dynamic-positioning","code":"thing-q1268965","url":"https://ver.cy/models/thing/q1268965/","name":"dynamic positioning","alternateNames":[],"kind":"thing","status":"published","version":"0.1.0-research.1","language":"en","classifiers":{"family":"Thing Registry","category":"Physical world and living systems","entryKind":"thing","plane":"PHY","domain":["PHY.OBJ"],"industry":[],"navPath":"","tags":[],"facets":{}},"whatItIs":"Dynamic positioning is the automatic control of a vessel's horizontal position and heading using its own propellers and thrusters, with feedback from position references and heading and motion sensors to counter environmental disturbances.","purpose":"Enable an agent to recognise marine dynamic positioning, assess its station-keeping capability and current limitations, and identify justified operational actions.","scope":{"in":["Automatic position and heading control, reference frames and controlled vessel points","Position references, heading and motion sensors, and input validity","Integrated power, thrust allocation and control dependencies","Environmental capability, position excursions and degraded operation","Redundancy evidence, DP configuration, operational limits and verification"],"out":["The vessel's complete design, ownership and service history","Detailed component models for generators, thrusters and navigation sensors","Anchoring and mooring systems as independent station-keeping methods","Voyage planning, collision avoidance and general autonomous navigation","Detailed drilling, diving, lifting or subsea intervention procedures","Professional qualification frameworks for maritime personnel"],"boundaries":[]},"distinguishingFeatures":["Automatically maintains both vessel position and heading through computer-controlled propulsion; heading-only autopilot does not establish this capability. Reference: [USCG DP overview](https://www.dco.uscg.mil/OCSNCOE/DP/Overview/).","Uses powered thrust for station keeping without relying on anchors or mooring lines; hybrid arrangements require an explicit boundary.","Closes the feedback loop from measured position and heading to corrective thrust; position monitoring alone does not qualify.","Maintains a selected position automatically after engagement; continuous human joystick corrections alone do not demonstrate dynamic positioning.","Represents an integrated power, thrust and control capability, rather than a position sensor or controller product considered alone."],"structure":{"bundles":[{"id":"station-keeping-objective","name":"Station-keeping objective","description":"Establish what dynamic positioning must hold, where and relative to what.","layers":[{"id":"positioning-boundary","name":"Positioning boundary","description":"Identify the capability and its relationship to the vessel and neighbouring control methods.","findings":[{"id":"automatic-station-keeping","name":"Automatic station keeping","description":"Record whether feedback automatically commands thrust to maintain position and heading, and identify any dependence on external restraints.","questions":[{"text":"What evidence demonstrates automatic position and heading control rather than heading-only or manual control?","id":"automatic-station-keeping-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Does the assessed capability depend on anchors, mooring lines or another positioning system, and where is that interface bounded?","id":"automatic-station-keeping-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"control-geometry","name":"Control geometry","description":"Connect setpoints and measured motion to the point relevant to the operation.","findings":[{"id":"reference-point-and-tolerance","name":"Reference point and tolerance","description":"Record the controlled vessel point, coordinate conventions, target motion and permitted position and heading deviations.","questions":[{"text":"Which vessel point and reference frame define the setpoint, and how are sensor offsets transformed to that point?","id":"reference-point-and-tolerance-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What excursion and heading limits apply at the operation's critical point, including during setpoint changes?","id":"reference-point-and-tolerance-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"position-estimation-and-control","name":"Position estimation and control","description":"Assess the inputs and control behaviour used to convert vessel motion into corrective commands.","layers":[{"id":"reference-integrity","name":"Reference integrity","description":"Record the suitability, independence and current validity of position, heading and motion inputs.","findings":[{"id":"accepted-reference-basis","name":"Accepted reference basis","description":"Identify selected inputs, their operating constraints and the evidence supporting their acceptance by the control system.","questions":[{"text":"Which position, heading and motion inputs are selected, and what are their uncertainty, update rate and data age?","id":"accepted-reference-basis-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which inputs share corrections, targets, power or communications such that one fault could corrupt several together?","id":"accepted-reference-basis-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"controller-behaviour","name":"Controller behaviour","description":"Capture how operating modes, vessel response assumptions and reference rejection affect commanded motion.","findings":[{"id":"mode-and-feedback-response","name":"Mode and feedback response","description":"Record the active mode, commissioned control settings and defined response when references disagree or disappear.","questions":[{"text":"What commissioning or trial evidence supports the control settings for this vessel configuration and operating mode?","id":"mode-and-feedback-response-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"What approved response applies when references disagree, become stale or leave the controller without trustworthy position feedback?","id":"mode-and-feedback-response-q02","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"power-thrust-and-capability","name":"Power, thrust and capability","description":"Relate environmental demand to the power and directional thrust actually available.","layers":[{"id":"effective-thrust","name":"Effective thrust","description":"Represent actuator availability, geometry and restrictions on useful force and yaw moment.","findings":[{"id":"thrust-allocation-envelope","name":"Thrust allocation envelope","description":"Record which thrusters can contribute in each direction, including derating, forbidden sectors and interaction effects.","questions":[{"text":"What force and yaw moment can the enabled thrusters deliver at the current draught and configuration?","id":"thrust-allocation-envelope-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which azimuth restrictions, interaction losses or task constraints reduce the thrust available to the DP controller?","id":"thrust-allocation-envelope-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"power-and-environmental-margin","name":"Power and environmental margin","description":"Assess available power and station-keeping margin against combined environmental loading.","findings":[{"id":"configuration-specific-capability","name":"Configuration-specific capability","description":"Link power availability and environmental capability evidence to a stated heading, equipment configuration and failure condition.","questions":[{"text":"What power remains available for DP after competing loads and the assessed equipment failure are accounted for?","id":"configuration-specific-capability-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which calculation or trial supports the environmental envelope, and how closely does its configuration match the present one?","id":"configuration-specific-capability-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]},{"id":"failure-tolerance-and-verification","name":"Failure tolerance and verification","description":"Connect redundancy claims with demonstrated failure behaviour and maintained configuration.","layers":[{"id":"failure-dependencies","name":"Failure dependencies","description":"Identify credible failures, shared dependencies and the resulting station-keeping consequences.","findings":[{"id":"worst-case-failure-basis","name":"Worst-case failure basis","description":"Record the failure modes and effects analysis, redundancy groups and the failure used to assess remaining capability.","questions":[{"text":"Which failure defines the assessed worst-case loss of DP capability, and what equipment remains available afterward?","id":"worst-case-failure-basis-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"What shared power, cooling, network, software or compartment dependencies could defeat the assumed separation?","id":"worst-case-failure-basis-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"verification-and-change","name":"Verification and change","description":"Keep accepted design claims separate from current evidence and unresolved defects.","findings":[{"id":"applicable-assurance-evidence","name":"Applicable assurance evidence","description":"Record applicable flag and class requirements, trials, acceptance documents and changes requiring reassessment. IMO guidance applicability depends in part on construction date; see [USCG regulatory guidance](https://www.dco.uscg.mil/OCSNCOE/DP/Regulatory-Guidance/).","questions":[{"text":"Which issuing bodies, document editions and acceptance records support the claimed equipment class for this installation?","id":"applicable-assurance-evidence-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which repairs, software changes, overdue tests or outstanding defects require restrictions or renewed verification before DP service?","id":"applicable-assurance-evidence-q02","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"operational-readiness-and-response","name":"Operational readiness and response","description":"Translate DP condition and task consequences into operating decisions and response requirements.","layers":[{"id":"activity-readiness","name":"Activity readiness","description":"Assess the current installation against the configuration and limits required for the intended activity.","findings":[{"id":"activity-specific-permission","name":"Activity-specific permission","description":"Record the applicable operating guidance, readiness evidence, human control authority and dependencies on other operations.","questions":[{"text":"Which approved activity-specific limits and configuration requirements govern entering or continuing this DP operation?","id":"activity-specific-permission-q01","kind":"boundary"},{"text":"What checks and responsible-person decisions are required before engaging DP or changing its operating configuration?","id":"activity-specific-permission-q02","kind":"action"}]}]},{"id":"excursion-and-recovery","name":"Excursion and recovery","description":"Connect degradation or loss of position to time-critical responses and subsequent return-to-service evidence.","findings":[{"id":"loss-of-position-response","name":"Loss-of-position response","description":"Record response triggers for uncontrolled drift or unintended powered movement, including task termination and escape interfaces.","questions":[{"text":"How do detection delay, excursion rate and task shutdown or disconnect time compare with the time remaining before a critical boundary is reached?","id":"loss-of-position-response-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which approved actions, control transfers and notifications apply, and what evidence is required before resuming DP operations?","id":"loss-of-position-response-q02","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"evidence-and-external-alignment","name":"Evidence and external alignment","description":"What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.","layers":[{"id":"reported-evidence","name":"Reported evidence","description":"Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.","findings":[{"id":"evidence-confidence-notes","name":"Check these first","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these check these first hold for the sense of dynamic positioning this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-confidence-notes-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-kinds","name":"Kinds and varieties","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of dynamic positioning this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-kinds-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation","name":"Standards and regulation","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of dynamic positioning this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-real-world-use","name":"Real-world use","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of dynamic positioning this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-real-world-use-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards","name":"Failure modes and hazards","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of dynamic positioning this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-regional-variation","name":"Regional variation","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of dynamic positioning this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-regional-variation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-neighbours","name":"Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of dynamic positioning this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-neighbours-q01","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]}]},"agentConduct":{"may":["Monitor a vessel's DP status, references and alarms and report them to the DP operator.","Log position-keeping performance for the master and owner."],"mustNot":["Take command of a DP vessel or override the DP operator.","Disable alarms, position references or redundancy to keep operations going.","Continue critical operations such as diving or drilling support after a loss of redundancy without the master's decision.","Interfere with satellite or acoustic position references of another vessel."],"requiresHuman":["Deciding whether operations continue when position keeping degrades.","Changing the DP system configuration."]},"ethics":{"considerations":["Divers and crews depend on the vessel holding position; a drift-off can kill.","Collisions with offshore installations can cause pollution."],"affectedParties":["Divers","Crew","Offshore workers"]},"owners":{"steward":"The vessel's master and owner; flag states and classification societies certify the system.","roles":[],"masterSystems":["Classification society records"]},"relations":[{"target":"Q3475123","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"}],"interaction":{"identity":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vercy registry: vr.tr.dynamic-positioning","Wikidata: Q1268965 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1268965)"]},"properties":{"applicability":"required","items":["Station-keeping objective: Earth-fixed position and heading; target-relative position; other documented mode","Controlled point and reference frame: Vessel reference point, sensor offsets, coordinate datum and target reference","Position and heading deviation: Horizontal components and radial error in m; heading error in degrees; timestamp and averaging interval","Reference integrity: Accepted, suspect, rejected or unavailable per input; data age in s","Available thrust envelope: Horizontal force in kN and yaw moment in kN·m for a stated configuration","DP power availability: Available power and demand in kW or MW, with bus configuration and reserve basis","Environmental operating envelope: Wind and current speed in m/s, significant wave height in m, wave period in s and directions in degrees","Claimed equipment class: IMO equipment class 1, 2 or 3; separately recorded classification-society notation; unverified or unknown","Current DP configuration: Active controller, selected references, enabled thrusters, bus ties, isolated equipment and inhibited protections","Activity-specific limits: Approved operating guidance linking equipment states, environmental limits, excursions and required responses"]},"recognition":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vessels with multiple thrusters and position reference antennas, holding station without anchors.","A DP console on the bridge showing position and thruster vectors."]},"capabilities":{"applicability":"required","items":["Determine whether a described installation provides automatic dynamic positioning.","Compare current excursions and environmental conditions with documented activity limits.","Identify which reference faults, equipment outages or configuration changes invalidate a capability claim.","Trace a station-keeping limitation to power, thrust, sensing or control dependencies.","Recommend escalation, suspension or termination according to approved operating guidance.","Assemble evidence gaps for DP verification or return to service after a change."]},"hazards":{"applicability":"required","items":["Loss of position can drag hoses, risers or divers' umbilicals.","Position reference errors can make the vessel drive off."]},"interfaces":{"applicability":"required","items":["Guidelines for vessels and units with dynamic positioning systems (MSC.1/Circ.1580), International Maritime Organization."]},"context":{"applicability":"required","items":["Dynamic positioning is used on vessels that must maintain position and heading during offshore work without relying on anchors.","Applications include offshore drilling, subsea construction, cable laying and support for diving operations.","Its suitability depends on environmental conditions, available thrust and the reliability of its sensors, power supply and control systems."]}},"sources":[{"title":"Wikidata item Q1268965: dynamic positioning","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1268965","note":"identity and sense of the item"},{"title":"Wikipedia: Dynamic positioning","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_positioning","note":"general description of the item"}],"openQuestions":["Does the registry intend dynamic positioning as a control method, an installed equipment system or a vessel capability, and should PHY.OBJ be retained?","Does an existing Vercy world model already own this concept, requiring this registry entry to link to it?","Should target-relative positioning, automatic track following and thruster-assisted mooring be included as modes or linked as neighbouring capabilities?","Which flag-state requirements, classification rules and IMO guidance editions apply to the intended vessel population?","What independently supported performance ranges and failure evidence can be stated across DP installations without implying universal accuracy or environmental limits?"],"resources":{"spec":"/models/things/publications/thing-q1268965/spec.json"},"provenance":{"origin":"thing registry research (pass 2)","builtFrom":["models/things/publications/thing-q1268965/spec.json"],"providers":["Codex"],"researchStatus":"unreviewed","generatedAt":"2026-09-12T09:22:17Z","builder":"tools/build_cards.py@1.0.0"},"completeness":{"sections":{"classifiers":"filled","whatItIs":"filled","purpose":"filled","distinguishingFeatures":"filled","structure":"filled","agentConduct":"filled","ethics":"filled","owners":"filled","relations":"filled","interaction.identity":"filled","interaction.properties":"filled","interaction.recognition":"filled","interaction.capabilities":"filled","interaction.hazards":"filled","interaction.interfaces":"filled","interaction.context":"filled","sources":"filled"},"notes":{"_gate":"Published through the thing publication gate 1.0 on 2026-10-07T10:10:25+00:00: completeness 1.00; sense: Wikidata description; 2 live sources; review by codex: pass"},"score":1.0}}