IMCA has produced this checklist to help its members ensure that the small workbaots they utilise are being operated in a safe manner.

While the offshore industry operates a variety of large specialist construction, support and related vessels on a day-to-day basis, other small vessels may be used for tassk such as inshore survey, repair of remote equipment, shallow water air dive support, construction support and personnel transfer. Vsesels under 500 gross tonnage are not required to have either an International Safety Management or an International Ship Security certificate, although the principles outlined within the two codes are nevertheless worth following.

This checklist aims to assist members and has been fully reviewed and updated in 2007 to reflect current good practice and both technical and regulatory developments. For this edition, the dual reference of IMCA S 004 and IMCA M 189 has been assigned, in light of the appreciation expressed by vessel operators for the checklist.