The DPA (Designated Person Ashore) is a person working ashore but responsible for monitoring all safety matters of the vessel at sea. In the event of any safety related problems or incidents, the ship's crew must immediately inform the DPA, who will then act according to the Safety Management System (SMS) of the company. The DPA is the middleman between the ship’s crew and shipowner/shipmanager; DPA makes sure there is continued communication on a safety matter between crew onboard and shore-based personnel that helps to keep vessel safe.

Essentially, DPAs is responsible to ensure that Company SMS works well and all operations onboard stick to safety procedures as well as pollution prevention measures being monitored. In addition to above mentioned DPA has a direct access to the top management of the company to ensure that adequate resources and shore-based support are applied.

The role of DPA was born after new maritime safety rules were established called ISM Code. ISM code was a forced measure after a series of major marine accidents exposed the necessity for better collaboration between the ship's crew and shore-based personnel.

These are three of the most well-known incidents which caused modern safety regulations:

• Herald of Free Enterprise (1987) (193 killed)
• MS Estonia (1994) (95 dead; 757 missing, only 138 survivors found)
• MV Doña Paz (1987) (4,386 deaths)

In both maritime and shipping contexts, having a DPA is essential if you want things to run smoothly, but also safely. DPA is more than just another point of contact, this person is responsible for the implementation and ongoing monitoring of company's SMS procedures to ensure that each vessel takes all necessary precautions to protect both human life and the environment at sea.
In other words, the DPA ensures that the rules written in the ISM Code are implemented in reality.

Being designated a person ashore comes with diverse tasks and high levels of accountability.
Here is an overview of what DPAs typically do:

• Safety Management System (SMS) Oversight: This involves making certain that SMS has been implemented accordingly, ensuring all safety regulations are observed both on ships and within shore-based activities of the company.
• Bridging Communication Gap: Acting as a link through which information flows between vessels at sea and management personnel ashore; thus, DPA must be in touch with various ranks from crew members up to top executives ashore to guarantee speedy response whenever there is any concern related to safety matters while onboard ship.
• Regulatory Compliance Monitoring: Keeping track of new developments in regulations governing maritime operations then ensuring such changes are reflected within organizational policies applicable across different departments so as not only meet minimum requirements stipulated under ISM Code but also foster continuous improvement towards better performance by company’s fleet.
• Reporting Incidents & Investigating Root Causes/Avoidance Measures: Whenever an accident occurs; it should be reported promptly to relevant authorities for action hence necessary steps taken towards preventing similar events from happening again in future. Therefore, DPA must conduct thorough inquiries aimed at establishing immediate cause(s) behind each occurrence besides recommending appropriate preventive measures intended safeguarding against reoccurrence thereof.
• Training Support Delivery: Equipping personnel with necessary skills required during emergencies as well when carrying out routine duties while onboard the vessel; this can only be achieved through regular training exercises conducted under supervision senior officers.

DPA position needs one who has in-depth knowledge about maritime industry operations coupled with good interpersonal abilities so as handle complex safety challenges appropriately while communicating effectively across all hierarchical levels within organization.

The training is tailored for maritime professionals intended to perform duties in Designated Person Ashore capacity.

Upon successful completion of the "Designated Person Ashore" training, participants will be able to fullfil the specific requirements associated with the role and perform duties as a DPA.

Training course is conducted by professional and experienced instructors guiding participants through each module, starting with an introduction, briefing and ending with a debriefing and review. Alongside this, practical tasks are performed in a Learning Management System allowing participants to obtain an individual self-paced approach. With the help of our instructors and real-life tasks, participants learn skills they will actually use in their jobs.

Participants should present a valid identity document (passport/ID card).

2 days

The price is 750 EUR per person.

Unlimited.

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