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IMCA’s Technical Director Awarded an IIMS Blue Water Award
Published on 28 June 2019
Mark Ford , Technical Director of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) was caught by surprise when he was recently awarded an IIMS (International Institute of Marine Surveying) Blue Water Award at the IIMS London 2019 Conference Dinner held at 10/11 Carlton House Terrace in central London
Mike Schwarz, CEO of IIMS quotes from his speech on the night:
“…….Talking about having good people around us, I am also reminded that we have some brilliant partners who we work with and they with us. One of our key partners who we have developed a solid relationship with going back five years is IMCA, the International Marine Contractors Association. We entered into dialogue with IMCA back in early 2014 and the result is the now acclaimed eCMID Accredited Vessel Inspector scheme. I am proud that with IMCA’s help we have been able to play a vital role in cleaning up what was once an unregulated offshore inspection sector. Vessel operators now know who is boarding their ships and boats and where the inspector’s competencies lie. It is testament that organisations such as Siemens, Vattenfall and Orsted, to name but three, have publicly backed the scheme. 600 people have come forward for accreditation.
“So, it is fitting that Mark Ford, IMCA’s Technical Director, is with us tonight; and he has been alongside us since those early days when the scheme was but a mere pipe dream. From time to time IIMS presents a Blue Water Award to recognise those people who have helped make a significant difference to our business. It gives me great pleasure this evening, therefore, to present an IIMS Blue Water Award to Mark Ford.
Mark Ford gives his reaction:
“Naturally I would like to thank IIMS for this totally unexpected honour, it was a complete surprise. I approached Mike and IIMS five years ago with what was then something of a pipe dream. Working with them over the years, both before and since the official launch, on 1 May 2015, we have seen the scheme come on in leaps and bounds and are proud that the eCMID Accredited Vessel Inspector (AVI) scheme is now widely respected around the world.
“As we said way back at the time of the launch: ‘Much hard work has been put in to get to this point. The initiative is being collaboratively delivered by IMCA and the IIMS, and managed by their subsidiary MSA, and will radically alter the vessel inspection expectations of all stakeholders, whether or not they are members of IMCA, as their AVI card, bearing the IIMS logo and a declaration that the accreditation is recognised by IMCA, will become the industry standard symbol of quality for eCMID reports’.
“The pipe dream then moved from vision to action and, with 600 people having come forward for accreditation, helps to ensure the safety and efficiency of the marine contracting industry fleet. We thank IIMS and MSA for their hard work and commitment to the scheme.”
Further information on all aspects of the eCMID AVI scheme is available from https://www.ecmidvesselinspectors.com/
ENDS
Caption: Mark Ford, Technical Director, IMCA (left) receives the IIMS Blue Water Award from Mike Schwarz, CEO, IIMS
Notes to Editors:
About IMCA
IMCA, represents the vast majority of offshore marine contractors and the associated supply chain in the world, with members from over 60 countries. It publishes an extensive technical library of guidance documents on operational good practice, safety promotional materials, timely information notes and safety flashes. Its members benefit from a technical structure comprising four main divisions covering Offshore Diving, Marine, Remote Systems & ROVs, and Offshore Surveying.
These are supported by a committee structure focused on: health, safety, security and the environment; competence and training; lifting and rigging; marine policy and regulatory affairs; and contracts and insurance. The association’s global coverage is organised into five geographic regions: Asia-Pacific, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India, North America, and South America.
Further information on IMCA and its work on behalf of the global offshore marine construction industry is available from www.imca-int.com and [email protected]. Marine Division information is at www.imca-int.com/divisions/marine/ and specific eCMID information is at www.imcaecmid.com with information relevant to AVIs at www.ecmidvesselinspectors.com/
The association has LinkedIn and Facebook groups and its Twitter handle is @IMCAint