Training and Certification in the Marine Sector

IMCA and its members work to ensure the availability of sufficient personnel with the appropriate skills to sustain the global industry and continue the improvement in safe operations.

Vessel crews

The maritime sector is subject to a wide range of international and national regulations, as well as there being a variety of other organisations which provide guidance for ship owners and operators. There is often no need to 'reinvent the wheel', so in the marine sector IMCA's role is often to relay and identify appropriate third party guidance to and for its members and to contribute the expertise of the marine contracting industry where appropriate. IMCA is a non-governmental observer at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and has links with a number of regulators around the world, so is very well placed to fulfil this role.

For certain aspects, particularly in relation to the offshore construction and support vessels unique to the marine contracting industry, IMCA can help bring together its members' expertise to develop guidance that can help the industry in its operations. One example is IMCA's guidance on initial and refresher familiarisation of vessel crews that deals with the particular types of vessel and equipment used by IMCA members.

DP personnel

IMCA's guidance on The training and experience of key DP personnel, recognised by IMO, sets out the recognised and agreed industry standard for the training, competence and experience required of all key DP personnel on dynamically positioned vessels.

The Nautical Institute DP operator certification scheme is recognised and referred to by IMCA, which is a key partner in the institute's DP training group. Those looking to train to become DP operators are referred to the institute's website for details on currently approved training providers and on the certification process (including availability and use of the NI DP Logbook).

For NI-certified DP operators and other key DP personnel, the IMCA Dynamic Positioning Logbook is available for recording working experience, training and competence assessments. IMCA maintains a register of those to whom the logbooks have been issued, to assist vessel operators in ensuring the validity of training and experience claims. More details are set out in our DP logbooks factsheet and in our publications pages.

Non-marine personnel

IMCA has developed guidance on basic safety and induction training for 'non-marine personnel', such as project staff, working on a vessel. The IMCA competence assurance and assessment framework provides additional guidance and reference to appropriate courses and certificates to be held by a variety of personnel working in the marine sector.