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Year: 2021

Belgium starts seafarer vaccination

Belgium has officially started its vaccination campaign for seafarers this morning in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and the North Sea, Vincent Van Quickenborne. Read the article

World Oceans Day 2021

On World Oceans Day we should all recognise that ocean resources need to be managed sustainably. At IMCA we support this through our involvement at the IMO and encourage those working in our industry to check out the Life Below Water section of our recommended code of practice on Environmental Sustainability. UN World Oceans Day 8 June 2021 IMO

IMCA Publishes Guidelines on the use of GNSS for Tide Calculations

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) newly published ‘Guidelines on the use of GNSS for tide calculations’ (IMCA S 027) provides an overview of how Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) can assist in more accurate real-time direct measurement of tidal changes.   IMCA S 027 includes sections on tide theory; geodetic reference systems and tidal datums; tides from GNSS; quality assurance and quality control; as well as a useful glossary, plus references and a list of further reading which includes the recently revised IMCA S 015 – ‘Guidelines for GNSS positioning in the Oil and Gas industry’ produced with IOGP.

Podcast – IMCA S 027 GNSS for Tide Calculations

Technical Adviser, Nick Hough brings a short podcast highlighting key elements of this new guidance document. This document explains the use of global navigation satellite positioning systems (GNSS) for tide calculations.  GNSS today includes GPS, the Russian GLONASS system and the European EGNOS system and other developing systems elsewhere in the world.  Guidance covers how an overview of how Global Navigation Satellite Systems can assist in more accurate real-time direct measurement of tidal changes. You can find S 027 in our Publications Library – freely available for members to download. Nick Hough IMCA Contact Nicholas Hough Consultant – Safety and

Podcast on IMCA’s Recommended Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability

Listen to this short podcast sharing the rationale, approach and key elements of IMCA’s new Recommended Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability with Peter de Bree, Chair of IMCA’s Environmental Sustainability Committee and Technical Adviser, Nadine Robinson. There are two documents on our website associated with this podcast: IMCA Environmental Sustainability at a Glance – available in our Marketing Material. IMCA ES 001 – Available in our Publications Library – Freely available to all IMCA Members and available to purchase for non members. Podcast At a glance ES 001 Peter de Bree, Chair of IMCA’s Environmental Sustainability Committee Nadine Robinson,

British Health & Safety Executive Offshore Diving Inspection Guide 2021 for External Consultation

The Diving at Work Regulations 1997 apply to energy industry diving operations within the territorial sea adjacent to Great Britain and any designated area within the UK continental shelf.  The Health and Safety Executive is the regulator of health and safety law for this, and related, legislation. The latest Offshore Diving Inspection Guide produced by the HSE is available for external consultation. The Inspection Guides are made available to duty holders who may find them a useful aid. The HSE’s closing date for responses/feedback is Tuesday 20 July 2021.  If you have any comments on the Diving Inspection Guide please enter them into

Recommended Code of Practice on environmental sustainability

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) today launched its Recommended Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability. This Code was developed by its Members through IMCA’s committee governance structure and sets expectations for the marine contracting industry in managing key environmental and climate topics associated with offshore marine construction. IMCA Contact Allen Leatt Chief Executive Contact Error: Contact form not found. IMCA Contact Nadine Robinson Technical Adviser – Environmental Sustainability Contact Error: Contact form not found. IMCA’s CEO, Allen Leatt explained “IMCA started its environmental sustainability journey with its members four years ago. Since then a great deal of ground work

IMO supports industry’s Roadmap for Vaccination of Seafarers

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) encourages a wide dissemination of the industry developed Roadmap for Vaccination of Seafarers. The document, prepared and launched by ICS and supported by a broad cross section of global industry associations representing the maritime transportation sector, i.e. IAPH, IACS, INTERTANKO, InterManager, IMCA, IHMA and ITF, and also by the European Community Shipowners’ Association, the Singapore Shipping Association and the Swiss Shipowners Association.The Roadmap sets out procedures for a programme that can be implemented by all stakeholders concerned to facilitate safe ship crew vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be used by

IMCA eCMID System Updates – May 2021

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published the latest set of updates to its eCMID vessel inspection system, which offers a safety management system health check for offshore vessels. Changes to inspection templates The system includes two templates – the main eCMID (Common Marine Inspection Document) format and the eMISW for inspecting smaller workboats – and both have been updated this month. The latest annual review of the documents identified some minor editorial improvements, with more substantial changes described below.Two new optional supplements have been added to both documents. The first covers compliance with the International Code of Safety

Making Waves – May 2021

CEO Update – May 2021 Welcome to the May edition of Making Waves. I am very pleased to report that this month we will be publishing the first edition of our Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability which I recommend to all our Members. Our CPD programme, which has cut new ground in the diving division, has recently been expanded to the marine division. IMCA has collaborated with the Nautical Institute to develop a CPD app for DPOs. The scheme is designed to help DPOs maintain their technical knowledge of the latest industry practices. As I mentioned earlier in the

DPO CPD APP Launched by Nautical Institute and IMCA

The Nautical Institute (NI) and the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) have worked together to develop a Dynamic Positioning Operators (“DPO”) continuing professional development (“CPD”) app which is launched today (24 March 2021). Feedback from industry is that CPD is an effective means to combat knowledge and skill fade, and this scheme will be a welcome addition to the market and the DPO community alike. The scheme is designed to help DPOs maintain their technical knowledge of the latest industry practices. The app will expand professional awareness of the latest IMCA/industry guidance; DP safety bulletins; DP exercises and training drills;

IMO launches #FairFuture4Seafarers as part of 2021 Day of the Seafarer campaign – 25 June

Secretary General Kitack Lim, International Maritime Organization has recently launched this year’s campaign to recognise the importance of seafarers as key workers. 2021 campaign – Fair Future for Seafarers In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, seafarers found themselves both on the front line of the global response and subject to difficult working conditions surrounding uncertainties and difficulties around port access, re-supply, crew changeovers, repatriation, etc. In light of this, the 2020 Day of the Seafarer campaign focused its message around urging governments to recognize seafarers as key workers and ease travel restrictions for them to facilitate crew changes. The 2021 Day

Maritime Human Rights Risks and the COVID-19 Crew Change Crisis

New due diligence tool aims to help businesses uphold their responsibility to protect human rights at sea. A wide-ranging set of guidance has been issued to help enterprises using shipping services to protect the human rights of seafarers, as hundred of thousands are still stranded on ships due to COVID-19 imposed travel restrictions. The Human Rights Due Diligence Tool is a joint initiative of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). View Due Diligence Tool

IMO Secretary General urges fair vaccine distribution for Seafarers

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has called on all IMO Member States to support a fair global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, beyond fulfilling their national needs, to ensure seafarers can access vaccines.   In a statement, Mr Lim reiterated his call for seafarers and marine personnel to be designated as “key workers” and noted that some key maritime labour supply countries are reliant on the COVAX initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) to access vaccines.   Read the full post at the IMO website: IMO Statement

Vaccination of French Sailors: Priority Access Granted

Following numerous awareness-raising efforts by maritime professionals, the French government included, at the beginning of May, sailors in the public priority for vaccination. This prioritization includes French sailors of the merchant navy and the great fishing, without any age limitation. They will now be able to contact a vaccination centre by checking the box reserved for health professionals. Neptune’s Declaration “for the Well-being of Seafarers and Crew Relievers”: A New Indicator As part of the Neptune Declaration, signed by more than 800 companies and organizations including Armateurs de France, the Global Maritime Forum stresses the need to work together to

Roadmap for vaccination of International Seafarers

Through its active involvement with an industry-led Vaccination Taskforce, IMCA has helped develop a roadmap which sets out procedures for a programme that can be implemented by all stakeholders concerned to facilitate safe ship crew vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be used by shipping companies (their agents and representatives, including crew agencies), maritime administrations and national health authorities, in liaison with other authorities (such as local customs, immigration, border control, seaport and civil aviation) and seafarers, during the planning and roll-out stages of the vaccination programme)”. View Roadmap

Belgium gives green light to priority vaccination for seafarers

The Belgian government has agreed to prioritise Covid-19 vaccines for seafarers on its vessels. Work will now begin on introducing the scheme “soon”, according to the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (RBSA), which told TradeWinds this is the first such scheme in the world.The association said it was pleased with the decision after crews’ special circumstances were taken into account.“I believe this is a very important step for the seafarers who have shown such resilience and commitment over the last year, despite having to stay on board their ships for long periods,” RBSA managing director Wilfried Lemmens told TradeWinds.“The government listened

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