IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 07/04

UPDATED ROV DOCUMENTS FROM IMCA

Promoting safety in the offshore environment is one of the key aims of IMCA - the International Marine Contractors Association. The IMCA Code of Practice for the Safe and Efficient Operation of Remotely Operated Vehicles has played a vital role in providing the international community with a common set of guidelines and recommendations that provide a high level of safety and efficiency when adhered to.

From the 1997 original to the latest update, this document is in use across the globe; recent input from IMCA's Americas Deepwater Section's ROV sub-group has added to the code's international applicability.

"While local or national regulations naturally take precedence over the code, it continues to provide a vital source of sensible advice and practical suggestions for topics that are not directly regulated," explains IMCA's Chief Executive, Hugh Williams. "The ROV industry is one of the most dynamic in the world. New equipment is constantly entering the market; and ROVs continue to find new applications. As the offshore industry moves towards more and more diverless intervention, their role in construction and maintenance will increase, along with their more traditional use for underwater inspection and observation.

"Created with that dynamism in mind - and with the latest updates reflecting technological developments - we aim to ensure that through this code of practice the industry has a perpetual source of relevant safety information."

The ROV Code of Practice contains sections on ROV classification, ROV tasks, ROV tools, environmental considerations, ROV operations, equipment certification and maintenance, personnel and responsibilities. Copies cost £15 for IMCA members and £25 for non-members.

The code of practice will also available to IMCA members on a new Guidance on ROV Operations CD, which will contains all of the Remote Systems & ROV Division guidance and current information notes as well as Safety, Environment & Legislation; and Training, Certification & Personnel Competence material including guidance, information notes and safety flashes.

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.