The history of dynamic positioning

The very first dynamic positioning system was used in 1957, on the American ship CUSS 1. It was a primitive system, with four propellers but was possible to keep the ship in position above the well at a depth of 948 meters off La Jolla,California .

After this first well in 1961, the ship did 5 holes at a depth of 3560 mts, while maintaining a position within a radius of 180 mts. The ship's position in relation to the seabed was achieved by lowering a transmitter down to the seabed that transmits signals up to the vessel (the first form of hydro acoustic reference system).

The idea of developing an automatic control unit to take care of the DP function was born.

Later in the same year (1961) the American Shell Oil Company launched the drilling vessel EUREKA. In 1964 another vessel CALDRILL 1 was delivered to the Caldrill Offshore Company, USA with similar DP on board. Both the Eureka and Caldrill worked very well, the first drilled at a depth of 1300 mts with 6 mts of waves and wind up to 40 knots, the second was able to drill at maximum depth of 2000 mts.

Then in 1963 the first French DP vessels were delivered, SALVOR and TEREBEL were laying pipelines in the Mediterranean Sea.

A few years later the oil adventure started in the North Sea, the UK and Norway became both interested in the dynamic positioning.

Today the DP has changed a lot since the CUSS1 in 1961 and is now being used for many different operations such as geological, military, cruise ships, drilling operations, pipelaying, accommodation barge, shuttle tankers, diving , heavy lifting including constructions.