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Press Release 20/05
MORE TO IMCA THAN MEETS THE EYE
IMCA - the International Marine Contractors Association (OE2005 - Stand 1142) the international association with over 280 members in more than 35 countries representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies, is well known in the industry for its guidance on a range of offshore issues, especially with those concerned with diving and dynamic positioning (DP).
"It would take a careful study of our copious list of publications to see that increasingly we are covering an interesting and highly relevant range of new issues," explains the association's chief executive, Hugh Williams. "Here at OE2005 we are featuring some of these such as our work on crane and winch operations, wire rope guidance, the formation of a Security Task Force as well as highlighting such milestones as the publication of our Contracting Principles; and the work of our subject specific divisions and four geographic sections."
Recent topics covered by IMCA's Marine Division have included guidance on:
- Drawing up a specification for crane purchase
- The management of life cycle maintenance of wire ropes
- The design and use of cable laid slings and grommets for heavy lift operations (a replacement for the UK HSE PM20 document) and operational communications
Following the initiatives on safety in lifting, there is a new IMCA work group examining the requirements for guidance on crane and winch work; and IMCA is working with other organisations on issues related to lifting operations.
DP remains important to IMCA and its membership and in recent moths the association has published the FMEA Management Guide and is reviewing and updating the principal IMCA DP guidance documents on which it is liaising with the IMO. In addition, IMCA facilitates the international Cross Industry Work Group developing the DP guidance for offshore supply vessels - subject to agreement, it is hoped this will be available by year-end.
Other key milestones - safety and contracting issues
IMCA's committee discussions have focused on security over the past few years; and as a consequence the newly formed Security Task Force aims to assist members with issues arising from risks to personnel in transit, the ISPS Code, piracy and other related matters.
The IMCA Contracting Principles were successfully launched in April, following months of work between clients and contractors. "Since then there have been many positive developments in the association's attempts to promote dialogue about them throughout the industry," says Hugh Williams. "Several operators have renewed discussions with IMCA on the topic of an improved balance between risks and rewards in contracts and generally the opinion aired has been that the Principles are ‘open and honest'."
Recent achievements by the IMCA Divisions and Core Committees
- The Remote System & ROV Division has published guidance relating to examination and certification of ROV handling systems and on ROV operations
- The Diving Division has completed guidance for the neurological assessment of a diver; guidance on the selection of vessels of opportunity for diving operations; and on diving in contaminated waters
- The Offshore Survey Division is currently reviewing the use of digital video data and expects of publish guidance in the near future
- The Core Committees - Safety, Environment and Legislation (SEL) and Training, Certification and Personnel Competence (TCPC) continue to achieve their targets:
- Safety remains firmly at the heart of IMCA's policy with achieving the ‘holy grail' of zero accidents always in mind. SEL has its ongoing programme of developing safety cards, safety DVDs, reviewing statistics, security issues, and is also sponsoring research into malaria treatment and human elements.
- TCPC continues with its ongoing training reviews, work on competence assurance and the expansion of its guidance on this vital issue, together with diver medic training and medical certification matters.
"With membership increasing steadily and technology moving at an ever-accelerating pace IMCA has a packed work programme in front of it for the coming year," says Hugh Williams. "Looking just a few months ahead, the IMCA Annual Seminar, with its theme ‘Expanding Marine Contracting - Shaping the Future of Diving, DP and Marine Construction Practices' will be held 22-23 November 2005 in Abu Dhabi. This will bring together engineers, managers and offshore personnel from contractors, clients, consultants and equipment manufacturers from around the global industry."
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