IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 01/08

IMCA TO HOLD ROV SEMINAR AT OI08 - AND TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN EDUCATION PROGRAMME

Developments in ROV technology will come under the seminar spotlight at Oceanology International (OI08) on 12 March, when the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) holds its second ROV seminar at the event being held at London's ExCeL.

The half-day programme, with speakers from Acergy, the National Centre for Ocean Forecasting, Subsea 7 and the Marine Institute Newfoundland, covers robotic convergence, motion forecasting for ROV work; ROV DP: where are we and where are we going?; ROV operator training needs and ends with a panel discussion and networking drinks reception.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to run a second ROV seminar at OI," says IMCA's chief executive, Hugh Williams. "The first, held in 2006, was extremely well attended and we are looking forward to a similarly successful and stimulating event this year."

The seminar, which starts at 14:30 with coffee, is free to attend and open to all. For planning reasons attendees are asked to pre-register either online at http://www.imca-int.com/events/ or by e-mailing events@imca-int.com.

Encouraging students to attend OI08

IMCA has another important role at OI08. Working with the show organisers Reed Exhibitions, IMarEST and SUT, they are sponsoring transport and an informative student lunch aimed at encouraging university students, eager to find out more about employment in the ocean science and technology industries, to attend the major exhibition and conference on Thursday 13 March.

The international trade association representing over 430 offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies in 50 countries has taken an extremely proactive role in promoting the careers open in the offshore industry. "For this reason we are encouraging students with a wide range of engineering and science backgrounds, not just those following ocean science programmes, to visit OI08 to find out more about the fascinating career prospects open to them," explains Hugh Williams. "The event is a perfect showcase for students to see the actual technologies they might be involved with if they join the offshore industry and to discuss with industry professionals where opportunities lie, and what might be in store for the right recruits."

Further information on the student programme at the world's largest marine science event is available from Kirsten Conlon, Tel +44 (0) 20 8439 8870, Fax +44 (0) 20 8439 8897 or email kirsten.conlon@reedexpo.co.uk

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.