News from IMCA 2003

December 2003

• Key IMCA ROV Guidance Updated
  IMCA's ROV Code of Practice and its safety guidance relating to high voltage ROV equipment have been updated and reissued following review by the Americas Deepwater Section's Remote Systems & ROV Division Sub-Group. While in general the previous versions were deemed suitable for world-wide use, updating of the documents has been carried out in the light of the group's feedback which has enhanced the international applicability of both documents.
   
• Guidance on Transferring Diving Operations between Norway and UK Published
  A joint IMCA/OLF workgroup, with involvement and consultation of regulators, industry, unions and other bodies, has produced good practice guidance to aid diving contractors operating in/ transferring between the Norwegian and UK sectors, with their differing regulatory regimes.
   
• Recent Safety Flashes Now Available for Download
  In a demonstration of its commitment to improving offshore safety, IMCA Safety Flashes for the most recent twelve months are now available for downloading from this site, enhancing their spread through the offshore sector. These flashes disseminate the key information relating to incidents, including what went wrong, in terms of equipment, procedural and other human failings and the recommendations and lessons learned. All companies are encouraged to use the system by sending their incident reports to IMCA, which will duly anonymise and seek authorisation from contributors before issuing its flash.
   

November 2003

• Working at Height DVD Now Available
  Despite the offshore industry being a leader in developing safe practices and working systems, falls from height are still a serious problem world-wide, causing death and serious injury. IMCA has produced a DVD to promote the need for safety awareness when working at height. Various hazards are discussed, with real-life demonstrations of what to do and what not to do.
   
• Annual Member-Only Diving CD Issued
  Issue 4 of the IMCA Guidance on Offshore Diving CD has been produced, with the full range of current IMCA Diving Division, AODC and DMAC documents, together with IMCA safety flashes and, for the first time, the full range of IMCA core activity (SEL/TCPC) documentation. All Diving Division members have been issued with a copy of the CD, with additional CDs available at a reduced price compared to previous years.
   
• FAQs on IMCA Competence Guidance Answered
  In response to enquiries from members, personnel involved and third parties, IMCA has created a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers, which will be further developed in future as other queries arise.
   
• Major IMCA Marine & Safety Seminar a Hit in Houston
  The third major IMCA safety event, combined for the first time with an IMCA Marine Division annual seminar, drew over one hundred delegates discuss the operational experiences, hear about the latest technological developments and share new ideas and best practice to help raise offshore safety around the world. The event included a range of presentations, panel discussions and workshops, together with an exhibition by IMCA members supplying equipment and services to the sector and a safety share fair - with stands from some of the world's leading offshore contractors sharing their safety initiatives.
   
• Review of Marine Laser Positioning Systems Extended
  IMCA has now produced the second part of its review of the latest marine laser positioning systems, covering the CyScan system. Combined in a single volume with the Fanbeam system review produced earlier in the year, the document provides a review of the technical information and specifications, setting out the advantages and disadvantages of each system to aid members in selecting appropriate positioning systems for their needs.
   
• Outline ROV training syllabi published
  To aid members in setting up appropriate courses where they feel that their personnel would benefit from formalised training, IMCA has developed a set of outline syllabi covering a number of outline training courses. The guidance provides an outline of proposed topics which can be built on as companies and training establishments develop their training courses to suit company- or personnel-specific needs.
   

October 2003

• Extended Guidance on why SCUBA is Inappropriate for Offshore Diving Operations
  In response to enquiries made to IMCA and requests to its members, the Diving Division has published extended guidance which re-iterates the IMCA (and earlier AODC) guidance that SCUBA is an inappropriate technique for use in offshore diving operations and provides additional clarification on the limitations of the use of SCUBA offshore.
   
• President's Message - October 2003
  In a more frenzied climate, it becomes doubly important for members to maintain good practice and to continue to improve the industry's safety performance.
  Plus ... new safety initiatives including IMCA pocket safety cards and the Working at Height DVD
   
• Competence Workshop Taking Place on 25 November
  As in previous years, IMCA is holding a workshop to review progress in implementing schemes to demonstrate the competence of personnel working in safety-critical positions in the offshore sector. This year's workshop, preceded by a questionnaire exercise, will review progress to date, bring in experience from the airline industry on its use of simulators (following on from guest speakers at previous events on topics including legal, insurance and client requirements aspects of competence assurance) and including extended syndicate sessions to address current issues in each technical sector.
   

August 2003

• Major IMCA Marine and Safety Seminar goes to Houston
  Deepwater: Marine Operations & Safety brings the annual Marine Division seminar to Houston, USA while adding a further dimension with the inclusion of a third major IMCA safety seminar. Taking place on 5-6 November, the seminar will bring together key operational and managerial personnel from across the industry and around the world to participate in a wide range of sessions. The key themes for the event include DP operations and compliance/ enforcement issues in the Gulf of Mexico; vessel security and emergency preparedness/ response; DP system reliablity and safety; and improving contractors' safety performance.
   
• Members-Only Seminar Addresses Security Issues
  IMCA's new Europe & Africa Section, together with the SEL core committee, is holding a one-day seminar on 25 September in Paris, France, to tackle security issues. These are a major concern for contractors, particularly those working offshore West Africa, and forms part of the section's ongoing work programme. Speakers include experts working in the region, senior managers and specialist security consultants to present a range of security/ operational/ health management topics with discussion sessions after each.
   
• IMCA Updates Competence Guidance
  Following five years' experience gained by members in implementing competence assurance and assessment schemes, IMCA has fully reviewed and updated its guidance which sets out a framework on which contractors can develop and implement their schemes. In particular, updated performance criteria developed by the Offshore Survey and Remote Systems & ROV Divisions, in light of the particular needs and wishes of those sectors. Work continues on further ways to assist contractor members implementing such schemes, including production of a set of FAQs and a workshop in late 2003.
   
• Enhanced Membership Listing Now Online
  The membership listing available on this site has been upgraded. In addition to the previous list of all members and more basic listing for each regional section, the list can now be filtered by each technical division (Diving, Marine, Offshore Survey and Remote Systems & ROV) both globally and within each region, including website links where members have requested them in each version of the list.
   

July 2003

• Crane Specification Document Produced
  While offshore crane design is unique, in that almost every new build crane will be a one-off to meet specific requirements, IMCA has responded to the needs of members by producing a generic guide to assist with the specification and ordering of cranes, either new from a builder for second hand purchase or for hire. With a comprehensive questionnaire and checklist supported by explanatory notes, the guidance has already been praised by contractors and certification bodies.
   
• Introduction to Dynamic Positioning Produced
  A large number of marine contracting operations require the use of dynamic positioning (DP). IMCA has produced this article to provide an introduction to the principles of DP and describe its use, which also gives an insight into the fascinating range of marine operations that exist in the offshore industry.
   
• Terms and Conditions for Survey Support Services published
  Generic contract document aims to replicate success of similar well-receieved IMCA ROV document. Aids members and their clients in cutting waste (in terms of costly legal negotiations) and contractors to add value in the form of a more consistent, cost-effective contracting framework.
   
• Updated Guidance on Fires in Machinery Spaces on DP Vessels
  IMCA has reviewed and updated its guidance on vessel fires, taking account of recent technological advances and recent experience. Case studies are used to pass on lessons learned from previous incidents and guidance is provided on fire prevention, detection and extinguishment.
   
• From the President - July 2003
  In my own travels recently, I have been through pretty much every region in the world, including Australia, the Far East and the Americas. The overwhelming message from these visits is that contractor members are anxious for IMCA to make progress on [its current] agenda, so work [on contracting and insurance issues] will remain a very high priority over coming months.
  Plus ... completing the global jigsaw and the forthcoming IMCA skills survey.
   
• Guidance on Cross-Hauling of Bells published
  Making good use of IMCA's existing technical guidance, notably on examination, testing and certification requirements for diving equipment, the Diving Division has published guidance aimed at helping members ensure the safety of cross-hauling operations - a technique used to get the diving bell closer to the worksite when the distance between the bell at its normal deployment position and the site makes diving operations either unsafe or impractical. While all diving projects need to be safely planned and managed, with an assessment being made of the general principles of the techniques being used, this document provides guidance on the specific areas that need to be considered for this type of operation.
   
• IMCA Note on Approval/Selection of Diving Auditors
  In response to numerous enquiries from members and third parties, IMCA has issued a statement clarifying its role in helping companies select suitable individuals to carry out management or DESIGN-type audits of diving contractors. It should be noted that IMCA does not have and does not intend to create a list of 'IMCA-approved' auditors.
   

June 2003

• Review of Marine Laser Positioning Systems Published
  The first part of a review of current marine laser positioning systems has now been published. Accurate positioning systems are essential in the offshore industry to enable continuous and safe operations to take place, particularly where a vessel is a base for subsea operations and needs to maintain position for the safety of divers, ROVs and drilling operations. This guide provides a review of the latest Fanbeam system, along with installation, maintenance requirements and training recommendations. The advantages and disadvantages of the system are considered, along with the likely failure modes. This adds to existing technical reviews and will be followed shortly by a second part, considering alternative systems on the market.
   

May 2003

• Updated guidance on Cleaning for Oxygen Service
  Due to the combustion risk from hydrocarbons, all pipework, fittings, valves and other equipment which might be used in oxygen-enriched atmospheres needs to be scrupulously cleaned. In the light of technological and regulatory developments, notably the Montreal Protocol which has prevented the use of volatile (chlorinated) detergents, IMCA has produced updated guidance to aid contractors in successfully developing and operating cleaning processes for these types of equipment.
   
• Enhanced operational guidance for the use of Underwater Air Lift Bags
  IMCA has updated its guidance on the use of underwater air lift bags, in the light of further experience gained by members world-wide in their operation. In particular, lessons learned and passed on via the IMCA safety flash system have been noted and incorporated in this updated edition.
   

April 2003

• Guidance on Drug and Alcohol Policies Published
  IMCA has published the first of two guidance documents providing guidance on drug and alcohol policies. The document aims to help guide members on the complex issues involved in testing personnel for drug and alcohol abuse. They describe the issues that are likely to arise and this volume, in particular, gives guidance on the collection of urine samples.
   
• Surface Supplied Mixed Gas Diving - New IMCA advice
  IMCA Diving Division, at the instigation of the Asia-Pacific Section, has published guidance on the use of surface supplied mixed gas diving techniques, which can extend the range of surface diving operations without the use of saturation techniques, but which have inherent limitations and require careful planning ahead of commencing operations. The guidance, applicable world-wide, sets out the limitations of the technique (including the reasoning behind them) and covers the areas to be addressed in dive plans to ensure the highest possible levels of safety.
   
• From the President - April 2003
  With the globalisation of IMCA gaining momentum, the association is winning greater world-wide recognition and support for its role as the offshore contracting industry's primary global facilitator. Equally, as the organisation expands rapidly to encompass many different cultures, the pace and extent of change present a termendous challenge to ensure the organisation's focus and activity remain within its established role.
  Highlighting new IMCA initiatives on behavioural-based safety and global insurance concerns.
   

March 2003

• Survey Data Telemetry Protocol Issued
  With the increasing trend for multi-vessel offshore survey operations, involving multiple suites of equipment and software, IMCA's Offshore Survey Division has developed and successfully trialled a data telemetry protocol which aims to enhance the efficiency of communications between those systems.
   
• IMCA's Objectives for 2003 Finalised
  At its recent meeting, IMCA's Overall Management Committee agreed a comprehensive work programme for the various technical committees in the coming year. As ever, the Association's widely adopted guidance in various technical areas is being reviewed and updated as necessary to maintain and enhance its usefulness to companies operating in the marine contracting sector. This year also sees a number of new initiatives in every area which aim to tackle key issues faced by members world-wide in 2003. Click above for more information, or see areas of the website relevant to your own work to find out just what IMCA is doing in for you.
   

February 2003

• No Harm: What's the Problem? - Offshore Safety Moves Forward
  Over eighty delegates from around the world gathered at St James' Park in Newcastle, UK to hear thought-provoking presentations on various aspects of offshore safety and to participate in enthusiastic group discussion sessions. A new feature of this second major IMCA seminar was a 'safety trading' session, where delegates could share in the experiences and safety initiatives of a number of IMCA's contractor members. The proceedings of the two-day event will be made available shortly to IMCA members with a summary report now online.
   
• Latest Dynamic Positioning Incidents Report Published
  The report on station keeping incidents for 2001 has been published, adding to the wealth of previous information, identifying current trends and providing IMCA with detailed information on key topics to be considered in the coming year's work programme.
   

January 2003

• Guidance for ROV Mobilisations Published
  IMCA Remote Systems & ROV Division has released its latest publication, which provides guidance on a number of key areas to be considered when mobilising an ROV system and its crew onto a vessel. Applicable world-wide to complement and build on existing company management systems, IMCA is particularly pleased that this is the first publication initiated by the Asia-Pacific Section, whose members have noted the particular relevance of a number of the topics to their operations in the region.
   
• Experience & Employment Profile of Diving Personnel Available
  The results of the world-wide IMCA survey of the experience and employment profile of personnel in various positions in the diving industry is now available, providing a comprehensive analysis, divided into key geographic sectors of the offshore industry.
   
• 2002 Seminar Proceedings Produced
  The proceedings of the 2002 Marine & Diving Divisions Annual Seminar have been produced, for the first time as a CD-ROM containing the various presentations, workshop reports and more, providing a variety of reference material on wide ranging topics for delegates and other IMCA members.
   
• President's Message - January 2003
  Greater diversity emphasises, in particular, the value and importance of globally-accepted guidelines. The marine services sector, therefore, needs a competent global trade association capable of developing and maintaining such guidance.
  New IMCA President Steve Preston seeks to win increasing international recognition for the Association.