|
Press Release
GETTING THE RIGHT CRANE FOR THE JOB
A newly published document from IMCA - the International Marine Contractors Association - aims to take the mystique out of purchasing or chartering cranes for offshore work and help to ensure that both the customer and crane provider are, almost literally, singing from the same hymn sheet and in complete harmony to boot.
"Our new 'Crane Specification Document' discusses the various aspects of crane design and performance in general terms as an aid to making the customer aware of the various options available for consideration," explains IMCA's Technical Director, Jane Bugler. "This knowledge enables the customer to approach the crane provider with a functional specification that contains the minimum of technical requirements. The crane provider can then respond, with a detailed technical specification, describing how it intends to meet the functional requirements; and the final design can then be agreed at further clarification meetings."
The document is in three parts. The first contains the explanatory notes designed to help the user complete the questionnaire, which forms the second part. The questionnaire is set out as a nine page table intended for use in an enquiry or request for quotation or contract to provide a crane. It is clearly referenced to the relevant parts of the explanatory notes; and there are columns for completion by both the customer and the crane provider to ensure each question is answered and addressed adequately. The third part is a brief checklist, which can be used as an information exchange when chartering a crane vessel.
"In producing this document we are taking the guesswork out of the whole business of buying or chartering a crane," says Jane Bugler. "It may seem obvious, but we start by encouraging the customer to give as much information as possible regarding the crane's intended purpose - is it for internal lifts, subsea construction, ROV support, supply vessel operations, vessel to vessel lifts, vessel to platform lifts, etc. Our 'Crane Specification Document' has sections on mechanical requirements; supply requirements; control/instrumentation system requirements; maintenance and repair requirements; testing, installation, trials and training; and on certification and documentation."
The 'Crane Specification Document' has been produced for IMCA by Poseidon Maritime (UK) Ltd. Copies priced at £20 for IMCA members and £80 for non-members are available from IMCA Publications.
Notes to Editors (common)
- IMCA is an international association with well over 800 members in 60 countries, as at September 2011, representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Asia-Pacific, South America, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India and Central & North America regions. As well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training. IMCA seeks to promote its members' common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
- IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports. These have been developed over the years and are widely distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document, safety recommendation, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and safety flashes.
- Judith Patten is here to help you if you want any additional information on IMCA; would like to discuss a feature article; want to organise interviews with key members of the IMCA team, etc.
Press releases issued by:
Judith Patten at JPPR
34 Ellerker Gardens, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 6AA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8241 1912
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8940 6211
judithpatten@wwmail.co.uk
For more details, please contact Hugh Williams, IMCA Chief Executive
| 
