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Press Release

ROV MOBILISATION GUIDANCE FROM IMCA

From the award of a contract to the first in-water test of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) there are a significant number of issues that need to be addressed by both the onshore and offshore ROV team. Each mobilisation is unique and needs to be planned in a comprehensive and structured manner.

To assist in this process the newly published 'ROV Mobilisation' guidance note (IMCA R 009) from IMCA - the International Marine Contractors Association - considers the issues in a checklist format. The document is the first guidance note to be instigated by IMCA's Asia-Pacific Section.

"Each ROV operator has its own management system to cover their internal requirements," explains IMCA's Technical Director, Jane Bugler. "Our document is intended to complement and support those systems and to provide guidance to enable all personnel to be aware of possible requirements in preparing and mobilising an ROV system, and its crew, onto a vessel. We were delighted to follow the Asia-Pacific Section's suggestion that an IMCA guidance note would prove an invaluable aid to increased safety in their region and believe that the note has relevance elsewhere in the world."

The guidance note is not designed to be exhaustive, but intended to cover the minimum requirements that may be expected of ROV operators and their clients particularly where ROVs are mobilised onto vessels of convenience. A number of countries have national regulations that apply to ROV operations taking place within waters controlled by that country. Naturally, where national regulations exist, these must take precedence over the guidance document.

Copies of IMCA R 009 are available at £10 for members and £20 for non-members from IMCA, Carlyle House, 235 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1EJ. Tel: +44 (0)20 7931 8171; Fax: +44 (0)20 7931 8935. Email: publications@imca-int.com; and can be ordered from the website at www.imca-int.com

At the request once again of the Asia-Pacific Section, IMCA is now working on a similar publication on the mobilisation of divers. Now in draft form, this is expected to be published 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.