IMCA consultation on international offshore diving code of practice

Published on 9 August 2013

The ‘International Code of Practice for Offshore Diving’ (IMCA D 014), published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), provides advice on ways in which diving operations can be carried out safely and efficiently. Risk management lies at its heart as it outlines minimum requirements, creating a safe ‘level playing field’ for all diving contractors.

It also recommends how clients and contractors may analyse the safety implications of commercial requirements. Updated in 2007 from the original 1998 version, the latest updated text has now been widely circulated in draft form for international input and comment before the revised and updated version is published.

“Our code is an especially vital document for contractors and clients working in unregulated areas of the world; and it has been instrumental in improving diving safety, and time and again we hear that clients appoint contracting companies based on their adherence to and acceptance of the contents of D 014,” says Jane Bugler, Technical Director of IMCA .”While national regulations take precedence over the code, it may be used in a court of law to define good practice.”

“The Code incorporates both the substantial experience and expertise of our members as well as reference to other IMCA guidance, now we have once again opened up consultation internationally – anyone wanting to comment can request a copy of our draft guidance from [email protected]; input is requested by 27 September.”

Views can be shared via IMCA’s LinkedIn group https://www.linkedin.com/company/imca-international-marine-contractors-association ; their Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/pages/IMCA-International-Marine-Contractors-Association/155555511263740; and by use of Twitter https://twitter.com/IMCAint with the Twitter ‘handle’ @IMCAint.

Notes to Editors

IMCA is an international association with well over 900 members in 60 countries, as at May 2013, 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.

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