IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 20/04

GUIDANCE FOR DP OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS

IMCA - the International Marine Contractors Association - has played a significant role since 1990 in the offshore oil and gas industry by providing guidelines on the safe use and operation of dynamic positioning (DP) for offshore construction vessels and mobile units. Its Guidelines for the Design and Operation of Dynamically Positioned Vessels (IMCA M 103) has received global acknowledgment as a vital aid to safety in this key and ever-expanding section of the industry.

An increasing number of supply and anchor handling vessels have benefited from the provision of DP in recent years, and with this in mind, IMCA is inviting all interested organisations to join a cross-industry consultative workgroup to develop international industry guidance under the provisional title of Guidelines for the Safe Operation of Dynamically Positioned Offshore Supply Vessels at Offshore Installations.

"Working with IMCA members, particularly those operating and/or chartering supply vessels, we have drafted a proposed guidance note," explains IMCA's Chief Executive, Hugh Williams. "To be of maximum use, such guidance needs consultation and input from across the industry. We have therefore written to well over 40 relevant trade associations, government bodies and major companies around the world inviting them to join the cross-industry consultative workgroup to develop the draft into a pragmatic and beneficial guide. I am delighted to say we have already had some positive feedback. The resulting guidance will be a joint international publication."

In addition to this proposed guidance publication, IMCA is preparing a supplement to its well-established IMCA M 103 that will cover the basic elements of operating supply vessels with DP. "The proposed Guidelines for the Safe Operation of Dynamically Positioned Offshore Supply Vessels at Offshore Installations would develop the concepts set out in that supplement to IMCA M 103, and the two publications would thus be complementary" explains Hugh Williams.

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.
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