Certification for Diving Supervisors
IMCA currently runs a certification schemes for offshore diving supervisors which sets down minimum requirements for certification in the position. These include relevant diving experience, basic theoretical training, supervised 'hands-on' experience offshore, and a multi-choice theory examination.
Examinations now provide compulsory modules relating to air diving supervision, mixed gas (or bell) diving supervision. Candidates also sit optional legislation modules relevant to the parts of the world in which they expect to work. Modules for the UK and Norway currently exist - others are in progress.
So far, about 400 air diving supervisors and 600 bell diving supervisors have qualified through the scheme.
The Diving Supervisor Scheme has been in existance since 1987 and is recognised by the Diving Inspectorate of the UK's Health and Safety Executive. The scheme also conforms with the requirements of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD).
The scheme was originally designed for diving operations in the UK, but over the years more and more overseas clients began to ask for certification of personnel. The scheme has therefore been modified to allow for this.
Guidance Document
Full details of the scheme are given in IMCA D 013 - "IMCA Offshore Diving Supervisor and Life Support Technician Schemes: Minimum Requirements for Certification". For more details, click here.
Contacting IMCA
Candidates for IMCA examinations need to be put forward by nominated individuals within their companies, who should have the relevant forms, fee schedules and contact details. Should you need to make direct contact, please click here for further details.
Comparable Certificates
IMCA has entered into recognition agreements with the following organisations:
- Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS)
- Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC)
- Netherlands Diving Centre (NDC)
Under these arrangements, the following certificates are recognised by IMCA as being appropriate for diving supervisors for the purposes of compliance with IMCA guidance:
- ADAS offshore diving supervisor
- DCBC offshore air diving supervisor
- NDC supervisor (for those working in Dutch waters only - for those working in other waters there is a special arrangement for gaining IMCA certification)
Full details are on these arrangements are set out in the following information note:
 Information Note IMCA D 04/07 - Diving supervisor certification: Mutual recognition agreements
Withdrawn Certificates
IMCA maintains a list of withdrawn diving supervisor and LST certificates. Anyone with any concern regarding a certificate presented to them should refer to this list and, where necessary, contact the Certification Schemes Administrator - Mrs Vicki Graham. For further details on making contact, please click here.
Information Note IMCA D 07/03 - IMCA Offshore Diving Supervisor Scheme: Withdrawn IMCA/AODC certificates
It should be noted that certificates issued by/as AODC remain valid unless listed on the above information note - there is no need for conversion or replacement with an equivalent IMCA certificate.
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