Abstract Vortex induced vibration (VIV) of deepwater drilling risers due to steady current flow does occur. This has been demonstrated by BP, who have collected a large amount of drilling riser field measurements over the last 10 years [3]. Whilst the field measurements have shown that VIV does occur there have been few, if any, examples of drilling riser fatigue failure due to VIV. The lack of documented failures conflicts somewhat with software predictions which often predict low fatigue lives due to VIV in high current environments such as West of Shetland and Gulf of Mexico loop currents. So how should the industry deal with this? Work has already been conducted to develop an approach to reconcile the disparity between VIV software predictions, field measured VIV and the likelihood of fatigue failure [1]. Using the statistical relationship between software predictions and actual VIV response a worked example is considered that results in design factors of safety substantially lower than the typical values used in design of 10 to 20. The paper will document the occurrence and implications of drilling riser VIV in the field and demonstrate a novel approach that can be used to minimize the over conservatism that is currently present in VIV design tools whilst maintaining the required level of safety in accordance with industry design codes and standards.