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Year: 2014

Making Waves #73 – December 2014

Making Waves 73 (PDF) Highlights from issue 73 of Making Waves Include: Dynamic Positioning: an in depth interview with retiring IMCA specialist Ian Giddings, on developments, where DP is heading next and what IMCA’s role is.US offshore wind – ready to goIMCA Annual Seminar 2014 highlights and insightsIMCA D 016 revision ‘in the bag’

Dawn of a new era for IMCA

To better represent its members, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is launching a new membership structure from 1 January 2015. A new IMCA membership category entitled International Contractor (ICo) will come into play in the new year. The existing contractor member category – previously named ICO – will be renamed Global Contractor (GCo). The new ICo category is aimed at contractors working in several of the IMCA geographical regions and with a range of operational capabilities. “The size and demographic of our membership has evolved enormously over the years and now, after months of planning, we are launching our

IMCA's regional director an observer to SSA Offshore Services Committee

Denis Welch, the recently appointed Regional Director Asia-Pacific of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), has been invited to serve as an Observer in the meetings of the Singapore Shipping Association’s (SSA) Offshore Services Committee (2013/2015). “We are delighted to hear this news so soon after Denis’s appointment,” says IMCA’s Chief Executive, Chris Charman. “As I said when announcing his new role on behalf of IMCA, it makes extremely sound sense to have someone who is well respected and knowledgeable on the ground in the region, and the invitation from SSA’s Executive Officer, Siti Noraini Zaini, helps to confirm the

Record number of safety incidents shared by IMCA members

Supplying information on safety incidents and thus contributing to safety flashes issued by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), is an important tool information and knowledge sharing tool. This year (2014) has seen a record number of safety incidents (over a hundred) issued in 19 flashes to members around the world. “This is a case of ‘more is good’,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”We want to encourage members to share safety incidents, it is a truism that ‘knowledge is power’ and knowing how others have dealt with hazardous situations helps fellow members. Of course we aim for the ‘holy

IMCA makes key appointments in Asia and Australia & New Zealand

Two regional directors appointed by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) ensure that the association has an increasingly active presence in two key offshore oil and gas areas of the world – Asia, and Australia & New Zealand. Chris Charman, Chief Executive of IMCA, announced at last week’s IMCA Annual Seminar in London that Denis Welch had been appointed Regional Director for Asia-Pacific; and Andy Bolton has taken up a similar position in Australia & New Zealand. IMCA plans to appoint a third Regional Director in Houston, USA. “Some 50% of our global membership of 1,045 companies in over 60

IMCA Makes Key Appointments in Asia and Australia & New Zealand

Two regional directors appointed by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) ensure that the association has an increasingly active presence in two key offshore oil and gas areas of the world – Asia, and Australia & New Zealand. Chris Charman, Chief Executive of IMCA, announced at last week’s IMCA Annual Seminar in London that Denis Welch had been appointed Regional Director for Asia-Pacific; and Andy Bolton has taken up a similar position in Australia & New Zealand. IMCA plans to appoint a third Regional Director in Houston, USA. “Some 50% of our global membership of 1,045 companies in over 60

Record breaking IMCA annual seminar held in London

During the past two days, 520 delegates from 30 countries attended the Annual Seminar of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) in London (19 and 20 November). The event, held in a different country each year, proved to be a record breaker in terms of delegate registration, as well as attracting more exhibitors than ever before (34), and more endorsing organisations (14) from around the world. “Sadly our President, Massimo Fontolan of Saipem was unwell, so it fell to me to speak in his place on the giant strides that IMCA has made over the past year since the 2013

IMCA annual seminar breaks all records – the 'sold out' sign goes up!

With over a week to go before the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Annual Seminar takes place at London’s Landmark Hotel, it has already broken all previous records, with over 500 delegates from 30 countries registered. Additionally it has nine sponsoring organisations, 34 exhibiting companies, and the seminar is endorsed by 14 organisations. “We are delighted to have reached the 500-mark and have now reached capacity so put up the ‘SOLD OUT’ sign,” says Chris Charman, the association’s Chief Executive. “We certainly have a highly relevant and topical theme in ‘Where next for the offshore marine industry’ and a superb

Where next for the offshore marine industry? Including information from exhibitors on what they will be featuring

This year’s International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Annual Seminar (Landmark Hotel, London, 19-20 November) has as its theme ‘Where next for the offshore marine industry?’ and focuses on the initiatives being employed to improve performance across all IMCA’s technical divisions – Marine, Diving, Offshore Survey and Remote Systems & ROV – as well as IMCA’s core activities – Competence & Training and Safety, Environment & Legislation and offers the opportunity to discuss and debate the initiatives throughout the two days. “It will also, as always, enable our speakers, delegates, sponsors, endorsing companies and exhibitors to contribute to the important discussions

IMCA signs agreement with China's CDSA

During meetings held at the China International Diving, Salvage and Offshore Summit 2014, a Cooperation Framework Agreement was signed between the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI), and the China Diving & Salvage Contractors Association (CDSA). “Working together we have one overall aim,” says Jane Bugler, IMCA’s Technical Director, who spoke at the Summit.”Safety is of paramount importance, and sharing knowledge and working at a strategic level can only help to ensure ours is an ever-safer and more global efficient industry. “We are delighted that Mr. Daiji Zhang, Executive Vice President of CDSA will

IMCA reaches membership milestone

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) now has over a thousand member companies involved in offshore, marine and underwater engineering in more than 60 countries, delivering major offshore construction projects from arctic to equatorial waters. “This is an important ‘membership milestone’ for us, and for our members,” says Chris Charman, the association’s Chief Executive.”Ours is an impressive industry, collectively our members employ some 350,000 people and have an annual turnover of around $150bn. They work in all the world’s major offshore areas, delivering major offshore oil and gas and marine renewables projects around the globe that quite literally fuel the

IMCA launches 'Working in Confined Spaces' DVD

More people die or are injured in enclosed spaces than through any other related onboard work activity – this despite numerous guidelines, safety regimes, operational procedures, manuals and assurance surveys. One of the most public ‘confined space’ disasters was that of the Apollo 1 capsule on 27 January 1967. At 6.30pm that evening one of the astronauts reported a fire in the cockpit. All three – Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee – were dead in less than 20 seconds. Another incident took place when an employee of an oil facility climbed down a ladder into an innocent-looking water

IMCA issues revised version of key diving plant and equipment code

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has produced a revised version of ‘Code of Practice for The Initial and Periodic Examination, Testing and Certification of Diving Plant and Equipment’ (IMCA D 018 Rev. 1). The revision has taken place as part of the overall review of the DESIGN (Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note) documents (IMCA D 023, 024, 037, 040) in 2013/14. “Just as the name of the document implies, this code addresses the initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of all diving plant and equipment as utilised within the offshore diving industry,” explains Jane Bugler, IMCA’s Technical

IMCA revises saturation (bell) diving systems inspection guidance

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA)Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note (DESIGN) for Saturation (Bell) Diving Systems(IMCA D 024) has now been revised and updated to incorporate equipment improvements and changed operating practices since its first publication in 2001 as well as expanding the sections for the hyperbaric rescue unit, its launch system and its interfaces with the saturation diving system. “There is also a new section for the life support package (LSP),” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”The format has also been changed slightly to improve ease of use and provide better referencing. It is intended that this document

IMCA taking part in Tradewinds Offshore Marine Knowledge Leaders event

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is delighted to have been invited to send a representative to the TradeWinds Offshore Marine knowledge leaders’ dinner in Oslo on 8 September. “Mike Meade, CEO M3 Consultants Singapore, and the Marine Representative for IMCA’s Asia-Pacific Section will be representing us at this important industry event, which is the precursor to the TradeWinds Offshore Marine Forum taking place the following day,” explains IMCA’s Chief Executive, Chris Charman. “With an interesting mix of guests from across all sectors, Mike Meade will be able to talk knowledgably about IMCA’s guidance documents, competence assurance and assessment scheme

IMCA to hold fibre and hybrid rope workshop in Amsterdam

High value subsea construction rope plays a crucial role in the subsea construction industry. A seminar being held by the International Marine Contractors Association in Amsterdam on Wednesday 29 October will enable attendees to fully understand, and become involved with the discussion on, what is what is required by the subsea construction industry. This includes the approaches taken in fibre and hybrid rope system adoption into subsea hoisting, the readiness of such systems and clarification of any technical developments still required to close any gaps preventing adoption, awareness of existing systems, their performance and track record. This free-to-attend workshop, one

IMCA taking part in two important events in China

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) will take part in two important events in China this autumn – Oceanology International China 2014 (OI China 2014) and China International Diving, Salvage & Offshore Summit-2014 (DSOS-2014). The association is an official supporter of both events, and is also fielding speakers. Nick Hough, Technical Adviser, Offshore Survey and Safety will speak at OI China 2014 in September, and Technical Director, Jane Bugler will deliver a keynote address at the China International DSOS-2014 in October – her colleague Peter Sieniewicz will speak at the same event. IMCA is the international trade association representing companies

Making Waves #72 – September 2014

Making Waves 72 (PDF) Highlights from issue 72 of Making Waves Include: A focus on competence in the industry. What is it? And why is there an increasing need to demonstrate its value?Why confined spaces can be deadlyIMCA sinks its teeth into bribery and corruptionLots more information and insight from the people who matter on the topics that matter

Safety and environment and diving statistics produced by IMCA

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has produced two important sets of statistics – ‘Safety and environment statistics for IMCA members: Report for the period 1 January-31 December 2013‘ and ‘World-wide diving personnel statistics for IMCA members: Statistics for 2012‘. “Safety and environment statistics are a useful insight into the performance of a company and industry sector in the areas of health, safety and environment,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”And our diving statistic aim to give a global snapshot of how many people are active in the industry on three specific dates in the year.” “The purpose of our

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