IMCA Newsroom

Press Release

PROPOSED IMCA GUIDELINES FOR BAIL-OUT WHIPS & HOSES

Recent failures of bail-out whips resulted in members of the IMCA - The International Marine Contractors Association - Diving Division's Safety, Medical, Technical and Training Committee meeting manufacturers to hear about action being taken to remedy the situation. The failure of a limited number of bail out hoses had been reported by two different manufacturers and notified to members through IMCA's Safety Flash system.

Divex and Hydrasun described the incidents reported to them and the work they subsequently undertook in light of these failures. Debate at the meeting then centred on materials and manufacturing requirements/specifications, certification and proof testing of bail-out whip assemblies, inspection, testing and maintenance regimes and on operational considerations.

One direct result of the meeting is that IMCA is developing limited general guidelines on performance requirements covering these subjects. Draft guidelines will be circulated later this year.

Notes to Editors (common)

• IMCA is an international association with over 450 members in more than 50 countries, representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Americas Deepwater, Asia-Pacific, Europe & Africa and Middle East & India regions, as well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training. IMCA seeks to promote its members' common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
• IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports. These have been developed over the years and are widely distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document, safety recommendation, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and safety flashes.
• Judith Patten is here to help you if you want any additional information on IMCA; would like to discuss a feature article; want to organise interviews with key members of the IMCA team, etc.