IMCA Structure » Technical Divisions

Diving Division

IMCA promotes safe and efficient practices in the global offshore diving industry. A wealth of guidance has been developed based on members' cumulative experience around the globe to deliver this objective:

• IMCA International Code of Practice for Offshore Diving - one of IMCA's key guidance documents, the code sets out industry good practice and forms the basis of an extensive suite of detailed technical and operational guidance
• Equipment guidance - adequate and well maintained equipment is key to ensuring safe and efficient operations. IMCA publishes a range of guidance on equipment - specification, maintenance, testing and operation - to assist its members
• Diving personnel - diving contractors need to ensure their teams include individuals with the skills and experience required for each safety-critical role. A wide range of IMCA guidance on training, certification and competence helps achieve this

Marine Division

The marine contracting industry relies on specialist vessels utilising cutting edge technology from which to carry out its operations. The Marine Division exists to support vessel operators and other contractors by producing guidance and technical reports and addressing a variety of related issues:

• Vessels - IMCA publishes a variety of guidance on selection, operation and audit/inspection of specialist vessels used for a wide variety of roles
• Dynamic positioning - keeping station by use of complex navigation systems is widespread in the industry. IMCA produces a range of good practice guidance and technical reviews to assist its vessel operating members. It also collects, analyses and acts on DP incident reports to help further improve reliability and safety
• Offshore lifting - lifting is central to most marine operations, ranging from simple stores handling to complicated and heavy lifts. A detailed range of guidance addresses the various aspects involved in ensuring safe and efficient operations
• Marine personnel - the marine sector encompasses a huge array of personnel active in roles from engineering and management to technical and workman roles. The guidance produced by IMCA on training and competence help ensure each individual obtains, updates and can demonstrate the skills and experience required

Offshore Survey Division

Offshore surveyors are involved throughout the exploration and development phases of oil and gas production and have a vital role in tasks from pipe and cable laying, positioning, installation, inspection and decommissioning of structures. IMCA Offshore Survey Division supports this work with a variety of guidance, technical reviews and work on contracting and personnel issues.

• Technical guidance - covering the range of positioning and survey equipment, with particular attention given to data transfer, recording and reporting
• Contracting issues - the division has developed contracting principles and generic contract templates to raise awareness, promote discussion and aid efficiency
• Survey personnel - IMCA raises the profile of offshore surveying at university level and publishes a range of guidance on education, training and competence to assist at all stages of the survey team's careers

Remote Systems & ROV Division

Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are used ever more widely to undertake all manner of tasks in deep water and environments where divers could never work. IMCA guidance and technical reports helps keep its members abreast of developments and ensure the safety and efficiency of their operations:

• Code of Practice for the Safe and Efficient Operation of ROVs - another of IMCA's key guidance documents, this code sets out industry good practice and forms the basis of a wider range of more detailed technical and operational guidance
• Contracting issues - the division has developed contracting principles and generic contract templates to raise awareness, promote discussion and aid efficiency
• ROV personnel - operation and maintenance of ROVs requires highly skilled pilots and technicians for which IMCA has developed a range of guidance on training and competence