Have you heard of Jules Verne? One of the ingenious technical concepts of this brilliant writer has been implemented today and is known as "dynamic positioning". This technique, developed since 1961 , enables ships lo rnaintain thei position at sea and to stabilize their heading solely by the use of contrlled propellers. Who is concerned by this process? The petroleum sector, first and foremost, but also industry, the military and the field of science. Dynamic positioning mkes it possible to carry oul petroleum operations in almost all the oceans and seas in the world. It has enabled seabed exploration in water depths up to 7000 rneters, and is used on gigantic semi-submersible piatforms operating even as far as the arctic seas. This book will be of interest to project engineers, seamen, persons in charge of operating specific equipment and even those simpìy wanting to acquire general knowledge on tha subject. A detaìled bibliography is included so that the reader can find out more about any technical aspects relating to a particu!ar point.