IMCA Newsroom

Press Release

PROGRAMME IN PLACE FOR ANNUAL IMCA MARINE & DIVING SEMINAR

The eleventh IMCA Marine Division Seminar, with its theme Learning from Experience, organised by The International Marine Contractors Association will be held at Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre on 5 and 6 November 2002 and, will once again, incorporate a one-day conference on offshore diving running in parallel to the marine seminar.

Delegates on the opening day will be together for a plenary session looking at Marine Contracting - Learning from the Past to Shape the Future (IMCA President, John Smith of Subsea 7); The Client Perspective - IMCA's Role in Shaping the Future (Shell speaker); and The Choice Between Using Divers and Using ROVs (Dave Turner, Head, Subsea Engineering Group, BP) before opting for marine or diving specific sessions.

"There is a rich choice on offer in both sessions with half a dozen hard hitting papers looking at highly topical issues before the day closes with hour long workshops," explains Hugh Williams, IMCA's Chief Executive. "For example, on the marine side delegates will be hearing about DP operations offshore Mexico, the Havsule project - a DP verification study; West Africa - getting DP rigs working offshore Angola; IMCA reported DP incidents; DP operations - use of simulators in heavy lift activities; and marine risk assessment guidance.

"Meantime those involved in the diving industry will be listening to presentations devoted to experience and employment profile of diving personnel; FMEAs (failure modes & effects analyses) for dive systems; emergency medical care in saturation; hyperbaric lifeboat testing; diving in contaminated waters; and mechanism of underwater gaseous explosions."

The workshop topics on Day One are Sharing Good Practice Internationally, FMEAs - what should they cover? and a diving-specific topic yet to be announced.

Day Two sees the seminar revert to 'marine only' topics with J-Lay and S-Lay and Flexible pipelay offshore Brazil early on the day's agenda to be followed by acoustic problems - solutions for deep water operations; marine communications - application of new technologies; and well servicing - covering flexible and rigid risers. The second afternoon is entirely devoted to workshops with a choice between acoustic systems for deepwater and marine communications - how to utilise new technology to aid training and operations immediately after lunch; and DP for survey purposes and a workshop whose topic has been selected by delegates before the conference closes.

IMCA member companies can also exhibit at the event - further information on space available and on aspects of the conference is available from IMCA.

Last year's event, the first to feature diving alongside marine matters, was held in Stavanger on 13 and 14 September 2001 - a report is on the IMCA website. Following so close on the heels of the 11 September disasters in America, some prospective delegates found themselves unable to travel, but nevertheless over 180 participants from 14 countries - 80 per cent of expected delegates - were able to get to the event. Previous annual marine seminars have been held in Brazil, France, The Netherlands, Norway and USA as well as in the UK. "Our global membership appreciates the fact that the venue changes each year, the event not only provides a chance to take part in the conference and hear about the latest issues of relevance to our membership, but invaluable networking opportunities as well," explains Hugh Williams. "This year there will be an evening reception at Aberdeen's famous Maritime Museum."

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.