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Press Release /09
IMCA DIVING CERTIFICATION SCHEMES GROWING
The International Marine Contractors Association's (IMCA) Certification Scheme covering offshore Air and Bell Diving Supervisors and Life Support Technicians (LSTs) has seen a notable increase in the number of exam applications being submitted and administered – a trend that is continuing in 2010.
These industry schemes have played an important role in improving health, safety and technical standards since the late 1980s. The schemes have found international acceptance having been originally designed for UK diving operations, but modified over the years as an ever-increasing number of international clients asked for certification of personnel, wanting the reassurance that the IMCA guidelines were being used on their diving operations globally.
"The schemes have proven extremely valuable in providing a standard for training of key personnel in the offshore industry and have, without doubt, contributed to the safety both of diving operations and divers," says Jane Bugler, Technical Director of IMCA. "A measure of the international reach is the fact that exam invigilation is now available in 35 countries."
So far 1216 air diving supervisors, 2048 bell diving supervisors and 814 LSTs have qualified through the schemes. During 2009 alone there were 240 air diving supervisor applications; 108 bell diving supervisor applications; and 139 LST applications.
"The safety and successful undertaking of offshore diving operations is of paramount importance to IMCA and its member companies and depends on a team of individuals who are fully trained and possess the skills required to undertake each aspect of their safety-critical roles," adds Jane Bugler.
IMCA publishes a variety of guidance documents and undertakes a number of initiatives to help diving contractors to ensure they can recruit, train and retain the skilled personnel they need. Further information on IMCA’s work for, and on behalf of, its around 700 member companies in over 50 countries is available at www.imca-int.com and from the association at 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7824 5520; Fax: +44 (0)20 7824 5521; and from imca@imca-int.com
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
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