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Revalidate DPO Certificate (Currently Holder of OSVDPA DPO Certificates)

The OSVDPA DPO Certificates are valid for five (5) years from the date printed on the certificate. DPOs are allowed to apply for revalidation four (4) years after the date printed on their DPO Certificate. The purpose of this page is to assist DPOs interested in revalidating their OSVDPA Certificate.

Requirements to revalidate an OSVDPA DPO Certificate:

The OSVDPA welcomes and encourages DPOs to revalidate their DPO certificate within a year of the expiration date. The requirements are as follows:

  • DPOs must record 150 days of Sea Time and 450 hours of Practical Experience in the five (5) years prior to the date of their revalidation application.
  • DPOs that cannot document the above-listed Sea Time and Practical Experience must:
    • Pass the Phase 3 Assessment, 
    • Complete 30 days of Sea Time, 
    • Conduct 60 hours of Practical Experience,  and
    • Pass either the Phase 4A or Phase 4B Assessment.
  • DPOs without any Sea Time or Practical Experience within the last five (5) years must complete the OSVDPA Certification Scheme from the start of the Phase 3 (Simulator) Course.

In addition to the above requirements, DPOs are required to submit a completed copy of Form DPO-3-CV, the DPO Certificate Revalidation Application (Current Version) and it can also be completed online here. The online form also requires the DPO to upload the Training and Certification Activities he or she has recorded to the OSVDPA Database.

More detailed descriptions on the revalidation process can be found in Section 23 of OSVDPA MPP-1-CV, the OSVDPA Manual of Policies and Procedures (Current Version).

Equivalent Activities:

DPOs seeking to revalidate their certificate but are no longer serving as a DPO are allowed to apply for revalidation of their DPO certificate using the "DP Experience" they have gained in the five (5) years prior to submitting their revalidation application. This DP Experience can be used in lieu of the Training and Certification Activities detailed above under "Requirements for Holders of Existing DPO Certificates." In addition to the equivalent activities that must be proven, a completed copy of Form DPO-3-CV, the Revalidation Application (Current Version) must also be submitted and subsequently approved by the OSVDPA.

A more detailed description of the activities and required documentation considered sufficient by the OSVDPA can be found in Section 23.6 of OSVDPA MPP-1-CV.

Questions?

If after reading through this page and the referenced documents you still have questions regarding the grandfathering process, please feel free to contact the OSVDPA's Operations Manager at +1 (504) 528-9414.

DPO Information 
Contact Information. The below will be listed on the OSVDPA Database and will be used to contact DPOs in regard to all OSVDPA-related matters. In the event the contact information changes, please notify the OSVDPA.
Government-Issued ID. Please attach a copy of a valid Government-Issued ID for the OSVDPA Database and list the name of the attachment in the space provided below.

Accepted Entry Credentials (AEC). Check the type of AEC that you hold and upload a copy of this document.

Medical Credentials. Please attach a copy of a valid Medical Credential for the OSVDPA Database and list the name of the attachment in the space provided below.
Photo. Please attach a passport style photo for the OSVDPA Database and your DPO Certificate (if issued).
Signature. Please attach a PDF or image of your signature.

Revalidation Sea Time and Practical Experience. Use this section to record the completion of Sea Time and Practical Experience. As a reminder, DPOs seeking to revalidate their DPO Certificate must record 150 days of Sea Time and 450 hours of Practical Experience in the five (5) years preceding their application for revalidation. If you have not accumulated sufficient Sea Time or Practical Experience, you will need to complete this section AND complete the “Additional Revalidation Activities” Section OR “Complete Revalidation Activities” Section as appropriate (see “Definitions and Instructions” Section for more information).









Additional Revalidation Activities. This section should be utilized by those required to record Additional Revalidation Activities (see “Definitions and Instructions” Section for more information and guidance on how to complete the form).







Complete Revalidation Activities. This section should be utilized by those required to record Complete Revalidation Activities (see “Definitions and Instructions” Section for more information and guidance on how to complete the form).




DP Experience. Individuals seeking to revalidate their certificate but no longer serving as a DPO are allowed to apply for revalidation of their DPO Certificate using the "DP Experience" they have gained in the five (5) years prior to submitting their revalidation application. This DP Experience can be used in lieu of the Training and Certification Activities detailed above under "Requirements for Holders of Existing DPO Certificates". In addition to the equivalent activities that must be proven, a completed copy of Form DPO-3-CV, the Revalidation Application (Current Version) must also be submitted and subsequently approved by the OSVDPA.






Disclaimer and Signature. The below must be signed by the DPO or Prospective DPO applying for an OSVDPA DPO Certificate.

I certify that my answers, the information included above, and the associated attachments are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

If this application leads to OSVDPA approval, I understand that false or misleading information in my application or interview may result in the revocation of my approval.

Definitions.

Accepted Entry Credentials (AEC). A valid and current license, credential, or qualification issued by a flag state, or by a training institution that is approved by a flag state to conduct maritime training courses, which are accepted by the OSVDPA as proof the individual is allowed to enter the OSVDPA's DPO Certification Scheme. The specific licenses, certificates, and qualifications accepted by the OSVDPA are listed in Section 16 of OSVDPA MPP-1-CV, the OSVDPA Manual of Policies and Procedures (Current Version), and are universally accepted by the OSVDPA.

Note: The revocation or expiration of an Applying Mariner's AEC shall render them incapable of earning a DPO Certificate or recording Training and Certification Activities. Any changes to an individual's AEC should be immediately reported to the OSVDPA in order to allow them to continue through the OSVDPA DPO Certification Scheme.

Cadet.  A student duly enrolled in a maritime academy administered or chartered by a nation state containing a Maritime Administration or a political division of a nation state containing a maritime administration or a maritime academy owned and operated by a private or non-profit entity which has been approved by a maritime administration to conduct STCW officer of a navigation watch training courses.

Class C Permit: An optional permit awarded after successful completion of the certification system through Phase 3. The holder of a Class C Permit has proven they possess knowledge of the fundamental principles of dynamic positioning, demonstrated practical ability to operate a DP system, and is competent in switching from DP to manual mode to move the vessel away from the installation. Class C Permit holders must be under direct supervision of a DPO at all times while gaining the experience and skills necessary to qualify as a DPO.

Class B DPO Certificate: certificate is provided to those DPOs who have passed the final assessment after completion of the certification system and passage of the Phase 4B assessments. Class B DPO certificate holders have accrued less than 60 days of sea time and 180 hours of practical experience aboard a DP-2 or higher vessel after Phase 3 of the certification program DPO Class B DPO certificates can be upgraded to Class A DPO certificates if the holder completes Phase 5 of the certification system.

Class A DPO Certificate: The Class A DPO certificate is provided to those DPOs who have passed the Phase 4A or Phase 5 assessment after completion of the certification system either through Phase 4A or upgraded their Class B DPO certificate via Phase 5, in the process accruing at least 60 days of sea-time and 180 hours of practical experience on a DP-2 or higher vessel after the completion of the requirements of Phase 2 (Familiarization).

Certification Deadline. The date by which all Training and Certification Activities (Section 4.40) must be completed to be counted by the OSVDPA for DPO Certification. This date is five (5) years after the first day of the first Phase 1 (Induction) Course class (or the first day of the classroom portion of a Blended Phase 1 (Induction) Course) or the date printed on the previous DPO Certificate earned by the DPO or Prospective DPO.

Examiner. The individual that scores a simulator-based assessment, such individual must have completed formal assessment training and demonstrated competency in assessment administration and scoring and be a Certified Instructor.

Passport Photo.  The OSVDPA uses the passport photo requirements as published by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs.  Under these requirements, the photo must:

  • Be a color image (sRGB color space);
  • At least two (2) inches by two (2) inches (51 x 51 mm), with the head (bottom of the chin to the top of the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (between 25 and 35 mm);
  • Taken within the last six (6) months;
  • Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background;
  • Taken in full-face view; and
  • Taken with a neutral facial expression (preferred) or a natural smile, with both eyes open.  

Practical Experience.  An hour-based measurement of DP experience accrued when a DPO or Prospective DPO is at the DP controls for at least one (1) hour during a 24-hour period while the vessel is conducting auto positioning operations, auto heading operations (including DP- or independent joystick-based autopilot), independent joystick operations, or other operations where the DP system is engaged.  Up to six (6) hours of practical experience can be logged during a 24-hour period.  All practical experience recorded by Prospective DPOs must be supervised and signed off by a DPO or the Master of the vessel.

Qualified on Board Assessor (QOBA).  A DPO certified by the OSVDPA, to conduct the Phase 4 and Phase 5 Assessments. In conducting these assessments, the QOBA utilizes criteria established by the OSVDPA to evaluate whether the DPO or Prospective DPO has passed the assessment.

Sea Time.  A day-based measurement of DP experience accrued when a DPO or prospective DPO is on watch while the vessel is conducting auto positioning operations, auto heading operations (including DP- or independent joystick-based autopilot), independent joystick operations, or other operations where the DP system is engaged for at least one hour during a 24-hour period.  All sea time recorded by a Prospective DPO must be supervised and signed off by a certified DPO or the Master of the vessel. 

Training and Certification Activities.  A collective term referring to all or part of the activities recorded by a Prospective DPO or DPOs to earn or maintain their DPO Certificate.  Specifically, the term is encompassing of Sea Time, Practical Experience, completing taskbook tasks, and the ship-board assessments (the Phase 4 and Phase 5 Assessment). 

Instructions for completing this form and the application process.

1. When a DPO or Prospective DPO has completed the requirements for certification, he or she shall complete the relevant sections of this application. Specifically, the applications can be made at the following points:

  • Applying for a Class C Permit:
    • After passing the Phase 3 Assessment and completion of all previous steps.
  • Applying for a Class B DPO Certificate:
    • After passing the Phase 4B Assessment and completion of all previous steps.
  • Applying for a Class A DPO Certificate (Phase 4A Method):
    • After passing the Phase 4A Assessment and completion of all previous steps.
  • Applying for a Class A DPO Certificate (Phase 5 Method):
    • After passing the Phase 5 Assessment and completion of all previous steps.

Regardless of when a DPO or Prospective DPO applies for a DPO Certificate, he or she must have completed the requirements within the Certification Deadline (see "Definitions" above). Those entering the OSVDPA DPO Certification Scheme as a Cadet or an Able Bodied Seaman holding a valid certificate of completion from a United States Coast Guard Approved Ratings Course cannot apply for an OSVDPA DPO Certificate without holding one of the following AECs:

  • An STCW credential as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (II/1, II/2, or II/3);
  • A non-STCW certificate of competency issued by the United States Coast Guard, or an equivalent certificate issued by another White List Maritime Administration as listed in the STCW Convention; or
  • An STCW credential as Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (II/4 or II/5).

2. Once the form is completed and the relevant attachments have been included (for those that fail an assessment, extra copies of the assessment-based questions of this form can be obtained from the OSVDPA), the application should be uploaded to the OSVDPA website or emailed to the OSVDPA's Administrator, Ben Berson, at ben.berson@osvdpa.org. Note. A physical review of the applicant's original logbook and sea service letter must be mailed to the OSVDPA's offices as the address listed under the "Contact Us" link at the top of any website page. 

3. All attachments should be clearly and distinctly named. Names should be readily apparent on the attachments as the title of the document.

 4. Once all of the above is received, the OSVDPA shall review the application (in its entirety). Once this review is completed, the OSVDPA will take one of the following actions:

  • Grant DPO Certificate. If the OSVDPA finds all of the conditions have been met, it shall send a DPO Certificate to the individual along with all of the original documents submitted with the application.
  • Respond with list of problems. If the OSVDPA finds questions, problems, or shortcomings in the application, it shall respond with a comprehensive list of problems along with suggestions as to how these issues can be addressed. The OSVDPA shall not return the document to the DPO unless asked to do so. Instead, the OSVDPA shall only require the individual to submit the missing or gap-filling information after he or she has worked with the OSVDPA to ensure any questions they may have are answered.
  • Decline to issue DPO Certificate. In limited instances - such as when there are numerous and/or large scale shortcomings, problems, or issues with the application - the OSVDPA shall return the application and all documents to the individual. In doing so, the OSVDPA shall also send a list of all problems or issues and how these can be addressed.

The OSVDPA welcomes any questions or concerns of applicants. Questions may be directed to the email address listed above or made via phone at +1 (504) 528-9414.

Record of Change.

Significant Changes from Version 001. 

Class C DPO Certificate.  All references to "Class C DPO Certificate" were changed to "Class C Permit".  This change has been reflected in both the PDF and web-based versions of Form DPO-4-002. 

OSVDPA Standards

More InfoHide Info ]
The OSVDPA Standards Library contains the standards and policies and procedures by which the OSVDPA operates.
Item Name Posted By Date Posted
OSVDPA AS-1-001 PDF (3.23 MB)  more ] Administration 5/23/2016
OSVDPA SIM-1-001 PDF (217.87 KB)  more ] Administration 8/8/2016
OSVDPA CT-1-001 PDF (260.19 KB)  more ] Administration 8/8/2016
OSVDPA FS-1-004 PDF (321.73 KB)  more ] Administration 5/21/2018
OSVDPA MEM-1-003 PDF (309.16 KB)  more ] Administration 11/2/2018
OSVDPA MPP-1-005 PDF (3.85 MB)  more ] Administration 10/10/2019