IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 12/06

NEW IMCA CD BRINGS DIVING EQUIPMENT INFORMATION TOGETHER

For ease of location all of the Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Notes (DESIGN) published by IMCA - the International Marine Contractors Association - have been combined on one CD.

The CD brings together:

• DESIGN for surface oriented (air) diving systems (IMCA D 023)
• DESIGN for saturation (bell) diving systems (IMCA D 024)
• DESIGN for surface supplied mixed gas diving systems (IMCA D 037)
• DESIGN for mobile/portable surface supplied diving systems (IMCA D 040)
• and Code of practice for the initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of diving plant and equipment (IMCA D 018)

"The new CD will give members quick and easy access to all these essential daily work tools," explains IMCA's Technical Director, Jane Bugler. "All the documents are included in PDF format, with the DESIGN record sheets provided in both updated Microsoft Word and Excel formats to enable electronic completion and possible integration with other company systems. The technical content of IMCA D 023 and 024 remains as published in 2000/1, but the opportunity has been taken to update the formatting and user-friendliness of the new electronic versions.

"To contribute towards self regulation in our industry, IMCA publishes several documents to help with the auditing process, with a view towards consistency and compliance with the IMCA's international guidelines. These include:

• DESIGN (the suite as described here)
• Common Marine Inspection Document (IMCA M 149) for vessel audits;
• Guidance on DP trials and FMEAs (112 UKOOA, IMCA M 166, IMCA M 178)

Contractors use these documents for self audit and the clients use them in the quality assurance processes too.

All the publications also remain available in hard copy form; or can be downloaded by members from the IMCA website.

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.