The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published an updated version of G012/D084 IMCA Assessment Procedure for Diving Contractor Membership.
The document outlines the requirements diving contractors must meet in order to attain either surface supplied or saturation Member status of IMCA. For diving contractors who do not have the requisite offshore experience to attain full diving contractor Membership, the document outlines what is required to achieve temporary diving contractor Membership. This allows potential Members to undertake projects that stipulate Membership of IMCA’s Diving Division, gain the requisite experience before applying for full Membership.
The main changes to the Guidance include new appendices detailing the terms of reference for the site audit phase of the Membership process, requirements for evidence of Hyperbaric Evacuation Systems as well as some clarification of areas of ambiguity. It also outlines the steps that diving contractors need to undertake to upgrade their Membership from surface supplied diving Membership to saturation diving.
Commercial diving is still the most hazardous activity that IMCA Members can undertake, so accepting new diving contractor Members requires extensive auditing of both the applicant diving contractor’s diving safety management systems, diving plant and equipment and base facilities. This revision, clarifies what potential Members need to be aware of for the specific types of Membership discussed.
Ultimately, the Membership requirements for IMCA’s diving division reflect the fact that the Association has to ensure that its diving contractor Members are capable of planning, managing and conducting diving operations in accordance with IMCA’s diving guidance.
In order to make this extensive process as transparent and straightforward for potential Members, IMCA released the first version of IMCA G012/D084 IMCA Assessment Procedure for Diving Contractor Membership in 2024.
The update supports our ongoing commitment to improving performance, safety, and competence in marine contracting operations.
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