What is the function that maintains thruster output settings during a severe system failure?

The function that maintains thruster output settings during a severe system failure is best described by model control or dead reckoning mode. This mode is crucial in situations where conventional navigation inputs may be compromised, allowing the DP system to estimate a vessel’s position based on its last known data and heading. By using predefined algorithms and models, it calculates the required outputs for the thrusters to maintain the vessel’s position despite the absence of real-time data.

Model control mode enables the system to continue operating in a controlled manner, ensuring that critical functions can persist even when certain sensors or systems fail. This is vital for safety and operational integrity, especially in scenarios where the vessel is subjected to environmental forces like wind or current that could otherwise cause drift.

Fallback control mode is designed to take over if the primary DP system fails, but it may not maintain output settings as effectively as model control mode, especially during severe failures. Manual override mode requires operator intervention, which may not provide the same level of automated continuity for thruster settings. Auto-positioning mode typically relies on full functionality of the DP components and sensors, so it would not apply during a significant system failure.