IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 14/04

FMEA MANAGEMENT GUIDE COMING FROM IMCA

IMCA - the International Marine Contractors Association - has commissioned work to develop a Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (FMEA) management guide.

"We have taken this step to address a series of issues," explains Hugh Williams, IMCA's Chief Executive. "First we want to establish industry guidance for how to specify, manage, perform and verify FMEAs.

"Secondly, we want to be able to provide specific, auditable guidelines consisting of fundamental steps that should be followed (including checklists). The new management guide will be designed to complement the background guidance contained in "Guidance on Failure Modes & Effects Analyses" published in April 2002; and be applicable to dynamic positioning systems in the offshore industry."

The work on FMEAs will also consider a number of points identified by the earlier study into methods of establishing the safety and reliability of DP systems, which was provided to IMCA members earlier this year. "All relevant stakeholders including vessel operators, consultants, manufacturers, classification societies, field operators and regulators will be consulted as part of this exercise," explains Hugh Williams. "We expect the new FMEA management guide to be published by the end of the 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.