IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 04/08

IMCA REVISES GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN AND OPERATION OF DP VESSELS - AND GETS READY FOR MAJOR REVIEW

In order to reflect the changes that have occurred in the design and operation of dynamically positioned (DP) vessels, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has reviewed and updated their publication 'Guidelines for the Design & Operation of Dynamically Positioned Vessels'.

"The guidelines were previously updated in 1999, and since then there are a number of factors that we felt should be reflected in the latest version," explains IMCA's technical director, Jane Bugler. "These include the increasing number of DP class 2 and 3 vessels constructed; and changes and developments which have taken place including the increasing use of DGPS."

Other key factors taken into consideration by IMCA include the work being undertaken by DP vessels in deepwater; and the production of the ISO standard on station keeping. They have taken advantage of the update to include a section on two-vessel operations that was initially published separately as a supplement in 2001; and have also included an appendix on DP incident reporting, together with references to other published material and the increasing practice of risk analysis.

"With the guidelines now up-to-date from a technical and good practice point of view, the IMCA Marine Division Management Committee is to begin a more major review of the general structure, layout and philosophy of the guidelines," explains Jane Bugler. "Any members wishing to provide input or to become involved in the workgroup overseeing this activity should contact Ian Giddings, the IMCA Technical Adviser who is co-ordinating the work at Ian.Giddings@imca-int.com.

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.