Information Notes

IMCA recognises that professional divers are trained for a wide variety of purposes. IMCA will only accept training that is open to all and is directed towards the development of divers for offshore operations. IMCA will not recognise diver qualifications developed for other purposes e.g., military diver training.

Divers undertaking an offshore surface supplied diver training programme must undertake dives in a range of depths to the maximum depth of the qualification.  Upon completion of the programme, they must be competent to operate safely as a surface supplied diver in an offshore environment.  It is also expected that

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have revolutionised the way we navigate and locate ourselves on the surface of the Earth. However, GNSS signals are prone to interference and one of the most significant sources of interference is increased ionospheric activity.

The IMCA DP Committee has been made aware of potential common-mode failures regarding Combined Gyro Compass and Motion Reference Sensors (MRU). These potential failures are discussed below and must be understood and considered while using/updating/purchasing combination MRU/Gyro, or gyro sensors that may rely on a GNSS signal to remain functional.

With effect from the date of publication of this Information Note IMCA will no longer be offering the UK Legislation module examination as part of the IMCA diving supervisor and LST certification schemes. As of 27 February 2023, IMCA will cease to take all new bookings for the UK legislation

The Joint Industry Security Group of Trade Associations, comprising BIMCO, CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), the International Chamber of Shipping, Intercargo, Intertanko, IMCA and OCIMF (the Oil Companies International Marine […]

Members’ attention is brought to the recent Guidance Note issued by JFD relating to the failure of the top handle on a COBRA set while the set was being hoisted.

This Information Note deals with the withdrawal of IMCA D 018 Rev. 1 and IMCA D 024 Rev. 2 in favour of IMCA D 018 Rev. 2 and IMCA D 024 Rev. 3.

What are Field Arrival Trials? A pre-defined programme of tests and checks to be performed prior to the entry into the area of operation that are designed to confirm the […]

Information Note IMCA D 20/01, issued in July 2001 (revised April 2021), advised members of the requirements for doctors who undertake annual medical examination of divers, in light of the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) withdrawal of recognition of doctors operating outside the UK.

IMCA has reviewed and updated its procedures for approval of training courses, to standardise practice in relation to existing course approvals and in light of the new scheme for approval […]

IMCA has been made aware of several serious diving safety issues during basic training routines. Despite these operations being overseen by various national regulators, we remain very concerned with the […]

IMCA is introducing a new scheme for approval of ROV Introductory Training courses on 1 January 2023. Members providing ROV training will be obliged to apply for and obtain approval […]

The South African commercial diving regulator, the Department of Employment and Labour, has announced details of the registration and revalidation process that all commercial divers, diving supervisors, chamber operators and diving instructors holding training certificates issued by the department are required to complete in order to ensure continuing validation of

Members’ attention is brought to the recent Guidance Note issued by JFD relating to bailout duration times with partially depleted cylinder pressures.

IMCA is pleased to advise that the Board has maintained the membership fees at the same level as the last 3 years. You can review the membership fees on our website.

Thanks are extended to all who agreed to stand for election and to those who have served as committee members over the previous term.

IMCA D 023 Rev. 1 DESIGN for surface orientated (air) diving systems was published in January 2014. The latest revision of IMCA D 023 has now been published (Rev. 2). This Information Note summarises the changes that were made during the Rev. 1 to Rev. 2 update process.

Information Note IMCA D 20/01, issued in July 2001 (revised April 2021), advised members of the requirements for doctors who undertake annual medical examination of divers, in light of the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) withdrawal of recognition of doctors operating outside the UK.

Following a review of the 2021 Annual DP Station Keeping Event Report published by IMCA in March 2022, the IMCA Marine Division Management Committee & DP Committee agreed that an objective for 2022 was to create an information note explaining the subject of Activity Specific Operating Guidelines (ASOG) and its