From the award of a contract to the first in-water test of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) there are a significant number of issues that need to be addressed by both the onshore and offshore ROV teams. Each mobilisation is unique and needs to be planned in a comprehensive and structured manner.

To assist in this process, IMCA has developed this guidance document, which considers many of these issues, in a checklist format. Each ROV operator has its own management system to cover its internal requirements and this document is intended to complement and support those systems.

IMCA is particularly pleased to note that production of this guidance was initiated by members active in its Asia-Pacific Section, where a number of the issues were felt to be particularly pertinent. Once the section had agreed a draft, the document then went through the usual round of consultation, comment and any necessary revisions and was then adopted and published by the world-wide association.