IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 18/04

IMCA ANNUAL SEMINAR TAKES SHAPE

This year marks a 'first' for IMCA - the International Marine Contractors Association - when all four of its technical divisions - Marine, Diving, Offshore Survey, and Remote Systems & ROV - combine for a joint annual seminar, Marine Contracting from Deepwater Construction Vessels to Offshore Diving, on 2-3 December in Singapore - IMCA's first major event in this region.

"Initially our annual seminar, and this is the 13th in the series, dealt solely with the interests of our Marine Division; then a few of years ago it began to encompass diving issues; and last year in Houston we combined marine and safety matters," explains IMCA's Chief Executive, Hugh Williams. "We are delighted that this year's event - the first in the Asia-Pacific region - will bring all our technical divisions together. We have an ever-increasing number of members and client members in the Asia-Pacific region and are seeing greater take up and recognition of IMCA guidelines there, particularly as the use of dynamic positioning and ROVs increases in the region."

The Annual IMCA Seminar brings together delegates (IMCA members and non-members alike) from around the world - including onshore managers, vessel crew, designers, consultants, suppliers and regulators - for presentations on the latest technologies and operational developments; operational experience, particular in emerging markets, with their new environments; 'hot topics' where informed debate by those active and interested in the industry has helped reach consensus and has fed back into the production of best practice guidance.

The seminar format includes formal presentations, with short question-and-answer sessions after each speaker, topical subject workshops, informal receptions and dinners, plus an associated exhibition by the members of IMCA who supply the specialist vessel industry.

All four IMCA technical divisions are involved in the organisation of the technical programme for this year's Annual Seminar at which there will be plenary sessions on contracting strategies, piracy, the Prestige wreck survey, and quality.

There will be Marine/ROV/Survey sessions looking at operational issues including the planned IMCA FMEA management guide; DP incidents and annual trials; training-related issues; developments in DGPS systems; and technical issues and new developments - a lengthy list of proposed topics appears in IMCA's latest newsletter. The Diving sessions will include subsea isolations for divers' intrusive work; hyperbaric welding; diving safety, diver training and competence, FMEAs for diving equipment; and hazardous marine life in the Asia-Pacific region - a topic that fits in with IMCA's plans to produce guidance on diving in contaminated waters.

Jane Bugler, IMCA's Technical Director, who has worked with the four IMCA technical divisions to develop the programme, remarked, "The programme is highly topical and addresses key issues of interest and concern to in the region to the world-wide marine construction industry."

2004 DIARY DATE
Title:		Marine Construction:  
		from Deepwater Construction Vessels to Offshore Diving
		IMCA Annual Seminar 2004
Dates:		2-3 December 2004
Venue:		Regent Hotel, 1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore
Organiser: 	IMCA - The International Marine Contractors Association
Tel: 		+44 (0) 20 7931 8171
Fax: 		+44 (0) 20 7931 8935
E-mail: 		events@imca-int.com
Website: 		www.imca-int.com/events

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.