DP Operators

[Sharp21]

Hello everyone!
I am the Chief Mate on the Uncle John, a Semi Submersible Multi Service Vessel here in the Gulf of Mexico. I have been working in the Gulf in the offshore for the last 6 years.
I also run the DP Operators group on Facebook. This group has members from all around the world & we use it as a forum to keep in contact with old friends, ask questions & exchange job information.
It is a private group, but if anybody here is interested then send me a message (through facebook) & mention that you are on this forum.
I will add you immediately.
Regards
S.

[john]

Thanks for the info Sharp! I'm not exactly sure how to send a message to you via facebook but would be very interested in the group. My profile is HERE if you can add me that way.

There is also a LinkedIn group for DPO's but it's new and has yet to gain too many members.

[Sharp21]

Hey John
Well the first step is that you need a facebook account! After that, just do a search for the group: DP Operators
You will need to request to join & you can send a message there.
Ill check out the LinkedIn group as well. Thanks for the heads up!
S.

[Capt Brian]

Sharp21 - Did a search for "DP Operators" in facebook groups. I did not find the group at all!

[Sharp21]

My apologies! I am so used to writing DP Operators in subject lines that I neglected the groups Full name: Dynamic Positioning Operators
Shoot me a message on FBook & I will add you when I get off watch
S>

[mtskier]

Sharp21,
Thanks for the offer to join - I took you up on it but didn't get a chance to personalize the "request". When I searched there were two Dynamic Positioning Operators groups returned - are they different, or just duplicate records?
MTSKIER

[Capt Brian]

mtskier - They are 2 different groups. Notice 1 has a capital letter at the beginning of each word where as the other does not. The one with the caps is the group that Sharp21 is associated with.

[Sharp21]

No they are 2 very different groups...
Mine is kept professional & above the board. There is currently over 160 members, with many of them being Captains. Even one of the top dogs from the Nautical Institute of London is onboard!
The other looks to be a group of friends from across the pond.
Regards
S.

[NAVYLADY]

Originally Posted by Sharp21

Hello everyone!
I am the Chief Mate on the Uncle John, a Semi Submersible Multi Service Vessel here in the Gulf of Mexico. I have been working in the Gulf in the offshore for the last 6 years.
I also run the DP Operators group on Facebook. This group has members from all around the world & we use it as a forum to keep in contact with old friends, ask questions & exchange job information.
It is a private group, but if anybody here is interested then send me a message (through facebook) & mention that you are on this forum.
I will add you immediately.
Regards
S.

Hi,

I am a former Navy sailor, I was a Operation Specialist e-5 and my job was to assist in navigating the ship by plotting and reporting to the captain ships heading, speed, and true wind. I was also in charge of the lookouts and ensuring we moor correctly. I served seven years on Destroyers while navigating I am trying to become a DPO. I live in louisiana and really willing to get back in that field. I need help in where do i start. I love going out to sea and was Honorably discharged from the United States Navy. I can be reached at liltwurker231@aol.com with any helpful info. Thanks guys.

[Sharp21]

I am not familiar with the various Navy classifications, but you would need your watchkeeping Mates licence or US equivalent to work on the bridge.
There should be schools in LA where you can train for this. Your naval seatime may even count towards it
S.

[dougpine]

Originally Posted by Sharp21

Hello everyone!
I am the Chief Mate on the Uncle John, a Semi Submersible Multi Service Vessel here in the Gulf of Mexico. I have been working in the Gulf in the offshore for the last 6 years.
I also run the DP Operators group on Facebook. This group has members from all around the world & we use it as a forum to keep in contact with old friends, ask questions & exchange job information.
It is a private group, but if anybody here is interested then send me a message (through facebook) & mention that you are on this forum.
I will add you immediately.
Regards
S.

Found the group, requested to join. There's no way to message you from the group page because it is a closed group, and no other way to message you in facebook because we don't know who you are...

[Sharp21]

Sorry about the lateness of the reply. I just got back onboard & the first few days are always pretty busy.
I should have everybody signed up now who requested to join. The group has been growing steadily & has been doing a good job of helping sailors find ships, which is what its all about!
S.

[Capt D]

I have a Master 1600 Ton Oceans and have been working on liftboats for 10 years and I have been thinking of going into the D.P. field. Would there be any opportunities for me with this license.

[Sharp21]

There are always opportunities, but unfortunately when trying to get a job on a DP vessel the licence you hold doesn't matter as much as the applicable DP experience you have.
That said, if you have a way lined up to get your initial DP time logged then I would definitely go for it. It is an interesting & rewarding part of the marine industry.
S.

[Capt D]

Thank you for the advise. I plan to look into it when I get off. I would also like to join your FaceBook group. I am not a member of facebook so is there another way to join the group or should I get a facebook page.

[Sharp21]

You need to have a Facebook page to be able to access any of the features on that site.
S.

[Sharp21]

A quick update on the group.
Membership has passed the 350 mark & rising! The group has been online for over a year now & I think is meeting its goal of Sailors helping Sailors quite nicely.
We are now accepting DP engineers to the group as well, so if you know some that would be interested Pass it on!
S.

[Evermarine]

Great thread, DPO positions are growing worldwide, let's keep our integrity and standards high, keep our DPO groups tight and our wages will grow also. Learn the business first, don't accept DPO slots for less money, (below industry rates) if you do we will all lose out in the long run.

[Sharp21]

Another great resource is the DP News page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dynami...s/145021387738
S.

[AlbinaDagny]

The Nautical Institute has managed the scheme since its inception in the mid 1980’s and in conjunction with industry has developed the certification criteria. It administers the certification of DPO’s together with the accreditation of the training providers.

[richard8000milesaway]

DPO group on facebook is good but the only drawback is that it's on facebook: that seems like a site for "fun & family", workwise I find linkedin and this site to be better.

another option is of course the International Dynamic Positioning Operators Association you can find them both on facebook and all over....

[Sharp21]

The DP Operators group on LinkedIn is definitely a good stop for DP related discussion, as is the IDPOA forum, however participation there can be infrequent. The Facebook group is growing continuously & has lots of member participation.
S.