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IMCA Guidance on the Provision, Acceptance and Handling of Breathing Gases for Diving

A newly published document – ‘Guidance on the provision, acceptance and handling of breathing gases for diving’ IMCA D 075 – from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) aims to raise awareness of the issues that industry has faced when procuring breathing gases used for diving. As Bill Chilton, IMCA Technical Adviser – Diving, explained “Over the years there have been a number of incidents where divers have been injured or even killed during the course of their work after being supplied with incorrect breathing mixtures.  Following recent incidents of this nature IMCA was asked by industry to assist in

Once again IMCA Successfully Retains ISO 9001 and 27001 Certification

ISO 9001 ISO 9001 is defined as the internationally recognised standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). It is the most widely used QMS standard in the world, with over 1 million certificates issued to organisations in 178 countries.  It provides a framework and set of principles that ensure a common-sense approach to the management of your organisation to consistently satisfy customers and other stakeholders. In simple terms, ISO 9001 certification provides the basis for effective processes and effective people to deliver an effective product or service time after time. ISO 27001 ISO 27001 is the standard created by the International Organisation for

Global Offshore Wind Energy Targets at Risk

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published an update to its contracting principles in the marine renewable energy industry. This major piece of work has been essential due to progressively poor market conditions created by unrealistic expectations of the capital costs and risks of developing offshore wind energy. The new publication IMCA Renewables Contracting Principles (IMCA LCIC 014) reviews in detail the contractual challenges faced by industry. IMCA’s CEO Allen Leatt explained the challenges: “Marine contracting in offshore renewables has become increasingly unsustainable, which in turn places the long-term sustainability of the offshore wind energy industry at risk. This

IMCA’s updated Renewables Contracting Principles address the sustainability of offshore wind energy construction projects

I am pleased to report that our Legal, Contracts, Insurance, and Compliance Committee (LCIC) has recently completed a major piece of work in updating our Renewables Contracting Principles (LCIC 014 Rev 3); and has developed a companion Guidance Document (LCIC 14A) for members highlighting key issues which they need to consider when contracting in the renewables sector. This work has been essential due to market conditions created by the unrealistic expectations of the capital costs and risks of developing offshore wind energy. Greater flexibility and fairness are needed in contracts by allocating the risk to the party who created it,

G+ Stakeholder Forum – 23 March 2023, Madrid

G+ Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation annual forum to discuss progress in global offshore wind health and safety. The annual event, led by the G+ Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation, for anyone passionate about offshore wind health and safety. Attendance is free. To register please click here. The event provides an important forum for discussions regarding health and safety in the offshore wind industry. The day will comprise of presentations, breakout groups and networking sessions covering current and future workstreams. Speakers and a detailed agenda will be published in the coming weeks. The event will be

IMCA launches NE USA Focal Group

Following IMCA’s seminar in Providence Rhode Island in November 2022, IMCA kicked off a new North East USA Focal Group at a two-hour seminar chaired by Dustin Varnell on 26 January 2023. Dustin is Osbit’s US Country Manager and IMCA’s Advisor – US Atlantic. The aim of the focal group is “To influence and shape the safe and efficient operations on the NE Atlantic Coast of North America”Its objectives are Identify common matters of interest in the region Identify the relevant guidance required to be able to be able to operate safely and effectively on the Atlantic Seaboard Improve communications

Going to Subsea Expo? Visit IMCA on stand 43

IMCA is delighted to be exhibiting at Subsea Expo 2023 and working with the Global Underwater Hub as a supporting organisation for this event. IMCA is proud to support Subsea Expo,  the world’s leading annual subsea exhibition and conference, held annually at P&J Live in Aberdeen, and also includes the industry’s prestigious awards ceremony, the Subsea Expo Awards. We are hosting an open pavilion area on stand 43 and welcome all our members to drop in to meet with our team and share the space to network with each other alongside other organisations in this sector of the oil and

Check out our Social Media Wall

Take a look at our activity on Social Media by viewing our posts in one place on our social media wall. Social Media Wall Connect with us on LinkedIn.

IMCA Guidance on Protecting Divers during Underwater Excavations

A newly published document – ‘Guidance on Underwater Excavation Works Involving Divers’ IMCA D 074 – from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) aims to raise awareness of the hazards associated with subsea excavation works and, in particular, the significant risks to divers who engage in such work. As Bill Chilton, IMCA Technical Adviser – Diving, explained “Over the years there have been many incidents where divers have been trapped, injured, or killed either by direct contact with excavation equipment or by collapses while working inside various types of excavations below seabed level. Recent accidents have highlighted the need for

IMCA’s Lifting & Rigging Seminar Report Available to all

The International Marine Contractors Association’s 12th Lifting and Rigging Seminar held in Amsterdam in October attracted over 120 from Europe, South Africa, and North and South America. It focused on the technical and operational challenges posed by increasingly heavier lifts in the offshore wind sector and provided the lifting sector with a new mantra – ‘Adopt, Adapt and Improve’. The mantra’s history and detailed information on the seminar content is now available to all. It includes concise summaries of all sessions and presentations along with relevant graphs, charts and, most importantly, some of the findings that emerged. The report was

New Member Appointed to IMCA Board

Hans Dieteren, Group Director for the Offshore Energy Division and member of the Executive Committee of Royal Boskalis Westminster BV, where he is responsible for the business portfolio Offshore Heavy Lifting, Subsea Cables, and Global Engineering, has been appointed a member of the board of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). He joins the current board: President & Chairman: Jonathan Tame, Subsea 7 Vice President & Vice Chairman: Luca Gentili, Saipem Pieter Heerema, Allseas Hugo Bouvy, DEME Offshore Andy Seymour, Fugro Kate Harvey, G+ Global Offshore Health and Safety Organisation Michel Hendriks, Heerema Marine Contractors Steve Sheppard, Helix Energy Solutions

Safety Statistics for IMCA Contractor Members

The window for submission of IMCA Contractor Members Safety Statistics, is now open. Submission are welcome from now until the beginning of April 2023. We do look forward to receiving safety statistics from you.  We believe it is the clear responsibility of all IMCA contractor members to submit safety statistics to IMCA. Any issues with reporting can be directed to Nick Hough at [email protected]om. Please browse to https://www.imca-int.com/data/safety/submit/. You will need to log in using your IMCA login details.  If you have not already set up an account on our website then you will need to do that first. The system should

Updates to IMCA’s eCMID and eMISW Inspection System

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) dedicated eCMID website at www.ecmid.com provides the marine and offshore industry with a wealth of information on what the eCMID and eMISW vessel inspection reports are, why they benefit the industry, how to use the database and inspection app, along with news on updates affecting the system. Over 1,500 vessels worldwide are currently covered by a live inspection report providing a safety management system health check for both operators and clients. The latest additions to the website embrace a new quality assurance process alongside updates to IMCA M 167 – Guidance on the IMCA

IMCA Highlights Hazards of Using Hold-Back Vessels During DP Ops

The International Marine Contractors (IMCA) has published guidance highlighting the hazards of using hold-back vessels during dynamic positioning (DP) operations. Richard Purser, IMCA Technical Adviser Marine explained why The Hazards of Using Hold-Back Vessels during DP Operations has been published:: “IMCA realises that use of hold-back or push vessels is commonplace in certain parts of the industry, but we feel it is essential to stress the inherent risks of such activity. “Our newly published IMCA M 260 sets out the pitfalls of using towing and/or push vessels intended to provide additional propulsion force and/or security for DP vessels engaged in

Nomination time for IMCA’s Safety and Environmental Sustainability Awards

Nominations for two highly sought after International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) awards opened today [date]. The first, the IMCA Safety Award, re-enforces the message that safety lies at the heart of all that the association does for its members and the industries they serve. The second the IMCA Environmental Sustainability Award reflect the steps that IMCA members are taking on this front, using the IMCA Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability as their guide. The criteria for both awards and submission information available online. All entries should be submitted via email to [email protected] by 31 January 2023. The Awards will be presented

How to enter IMCA 2022 Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) 2022 Awards programme presenting an opportunity to showcase our Member company initiatives in the key areas of Safety and Environmental Sustainability. These awards are open to all member companies irrespective of category of membership, length of membership, size of company, geographic location – share your initiatives to showcase your work. The Environmental Sustainability Award will be assessed on advancing environmental sustainability in areas such as the scale of environmental benefit; innovation; commitment of the workforce; social and economic benefits; quantification of the improvements; and the possibilities for future

Could Your Innovative Solution Feature at IMCA’s DP Conference?

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is inviting companies with new technology or innovations applicable to the offshore energy  industry to apply to take part in their ever-popular Quickfire, Totally Technology Session at the IMCA DP Conference 2023 (Amsterdam, 9-10 May 2023).Companies interested in being considered for a 10-minute presentation ‘against the clock’ slot in the session should send their proposed presentation; an abstract explaining the new (or evolving) technology or innovation (150 words max); and any additional supporting video/photographs/charts to [email protected] by 23:59 hrs GMT on 28 February 2023. Entrants should be companies, not individuals, and should be IMCA

Focus on the ‘Energy Field of the Future’ at Joint Industry Event

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT), and The Hydrographic Society UK and Ireland (THS: UK&I) Scotland Branch are jointly holding their well-respected joint industry seminar on 10 November 2022 in Aberdeen, UK. This year the seminar has a highly topical theme – ‘The Energy Field of the Future’.As Stephen Peet, IMCA’s Technical Director explained: “The energy industry is currently experiencing a period of significant change, with ever increasing focus on sustainability, while marine and underwater technologies continue to advance.“With this scale of change ongoing, what does the field of the future look like, and

IMCA’s Lifting Guidance Now Co-Branded with G+

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA’s) recently reviewed and updated Guidelines for Lifting Operations (IMCA LR 006) has been republished with new dual branding featuring G+, the global offshore wind health and safety organisation. This is the association’s first dual branded publication and ensures wider circulation, acceptance and use of this key document, in the offshore wind industry.Mark Ford, IMCA’s Marine & Quality Manager explained: “LR 006 has safe and efficient operations at its heart and thus attunes with G+ aims. We are delighted to be linked with them in this way, their branding on this important document demonstrates their

Safety Front and Centre for IMCA in Taiwan

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has a packed safety-focused itinerary lined up for its forthcoming visit to Taiwan with a range of industry, government and IMCA events alongside client meetings and visits to training centres. IMCA, as a supporting organisation and member of GWEC, will play an active role in the Global Offshore Wind Summit Taiwan (GOWST) 2022 (Taipei, 17-18 October) when Iain Grainger, the association’s Head of Energy Transition, takes part in a session devoted to ‘Training, Manpower, Safety and Other Needs in Offshore Wind Markets in Taiwan’.   As Iain Grainger explained: “Safety is like a golden

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