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World Oceans Day 2021

On World Oceans Day we should all recognise that ocean resources need to be managed sustainably. At IMCA we support this through our involvement at the IMO and encourage those working in our industry to check out the Life Below Water section of our recommended code of practice on Environmental Sustainability. UN World Oceans Day 8 June 2021 IMO

Podcast on IMCA’s Recommended Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability

Listen to this short podcast sharing the rationale, approach and key elements of IMCA’s new Recommended Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability with Peter de Bree, Chair of IMCA’s Environmental Sustainability Committee and Technical Adviser, Nadine Robinson. There are two documents on our website associated with this podcast IMCA ES 001 – Available in our Publications Library – Freely available to all IMCA Members and available to purchase for non members.IMCA Environmental Sustainability at a Glance – available in our Marketing Material Podcast At a glance ES 001 Peter de Bree, Chair of IMCA’s Environmental Sustainability Committee Nadine Robinson, Technical

British Health & Safety Executive Offshore Diving Inspection Guide 2021 for External Consultation

The Diving at Work Regulations 1997 apply to energy industry diving operations within the territorial sea adjacent to Great Britain and any designated area within the UK continental shelf.  The Health and Safety Executive is the regulator of health and safety law for this, and related, legislation. The latest Offshore Diving Inspection Guide produced by the HSE is available for external consultation. The Inspection Guides are made available to duty holders who may find them a useful aid. The HSE’s closing date for responses/feedback is Tuesday 20 July 2021.  If you have any comments on the Diving Inspection Guide please enter them into

IMCA publishes Recommended Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) today launched its Recommended Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability. This Code was developed by its Members through IMCA’s committee governance structure and sets expectations for the marine contracting industry in managing key environmental and climate topics associated with offshore marine construction. IMCA Contact Allen Leatt Chief Executive Contact This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. IMCA Contact Nadine Robinson Technical Adviser – Environmental Sustainability Contact This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. IMCA’s CEO, Allen

IMO supports industry’s Roadmap for Vaccination of Seafarers

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) encourages a wide dissemination of the industry developed Roadmap for Vaccination of Seafarers. The document, prepared and launched by ICS and supported by a broad cross section of global industry associations representing the maritime transportation sector, i.e. IAPH, IACS, INTERTANKO, InterManager, IMCA, IHMA and ITF, and also by the European Community Shipowners’ Association, the Singapore Shipping Association and the Swiss Shipowners Association.The Roadmap sets out procedures for a programme that can be implemented by all stakeholders concerned to facilitate safe ship crew vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be used by

IMO launches #FairFuture4Seafarers as part of 2021 Day of the Seafarer campaign – 25 June

Secretary General Kitack Lim, International Maritime Organization has recently launched this year’s campaign to recognise the importance of seafarers as key workers. 2021 campaign – Fair Future for Seafarers In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, seafarers found themselves both on the front line of the global response and subject to difficult working conditions surrounding uncertainties and difficulties around port access, re-supply, crew changeovers, repatriation, etc. In light of this, the 2020 Day of the Seafarer campaign focused its message around urging governments to recognize seafarers as key workers and ease travel restrictions for them to facilitate crew changes. The 2021 Day

Maritime Human Rights Risks and the COVID-19 Crew Change Crisis

New due diligence tool aims to help businesses uphold their responsibility to protect human rights at sea. A wide-ranging set of guidance has been issued to help enterprises using shipping services to protect the human rights of seafarers, as hundred of thousands are still stranded on ships due to COVID-19 imposed travel restrictions. The Human Rights Due Diligence Tool is a joint initiative of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). View Due Diligence Tool

IMO Secretary General urges fair vaccine distribution for Seafarers

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has called on all IMO Member States to support a fair global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, beyond fulfilling their national needs, to ensure seafarers can access vaccines.   In a statement, Mr Lim reiterated his call for seafarers and marine personnel to be designated as “key workers” and noted that some key maritime labour supply countries are reliant on the COVAX initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) to access vaccines.   Read the full post at the IMO website: IMO Statement

Vaccination of French Sailors: Priority Access Granted

Following numerous awareness-raising efforts by maritime professionals, the French government included, at the beginning of May, sailors in the public priority for vaccination. This prioritization includes French sailors of the merchant navy and the great fishing, without any age limitation. They will now be able to contact a vaccination centre by checking the box reserved for health professionals. Neptune’s Declaration “for the Well-being of Seafarers and Crew Relievers”: A New Indicator As part of the Neptune Declaration, signed by more than 800 companies and organizations including Armateurs de France, the Global Maritime Forum stresses the need to work together to

Roadmap for vaccination of International Seafarers

Through its active involvement with an industry-led Vaccination Taskforce, IMCA has helped develop a roadmap which sets out procedures for a programme that can be implemented by all stakeholders concerned to facilitate safe ship crew vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be used by shipping companies (their agents and representatives, including crew agencies), maritime administrations and national health authorities, in liaison with other authorities (such as local customs, immigration, border control, seaport and civil aviation) and seafarers, during the planning and roll-out stages of the vaccination programme)”. View Roadmap

Belgium gives green light to priority vaccination for seafarers

The Belgian government has agreed to prioritise Covid-19 vaccines for seafarers on its vessels. Work will now begin on introducing the scheme “soon”, according to the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (RBSA), which told TradeWinds this is the first such scheme in the world.The association said it was pleased with the decision after crews’ special circumstances were taken into account.“I believe this is a very important step for the seafarers who have shown such resilience and commitment over the last year, despite having to stay on board their ships for long periods,” RBSA managing director Wilfried Lemmens told TradeWinds.“The government listened

The Netherlands launches vaccination programme for seafarers

The Royal Association of Shipowners in the Netherlands will launch a vaccination programme for seafarers from mid-June. All seafarers working on seagoing vessels flying the Dutch flag or managed from the Netherlands are eligible for this COVID-19 vaccination programme that will be coordinated by the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR). Thanks to this programme, seafarers can safely continue their work on board seagoing vessels around the world. Some title

The North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) has compiled information on COVID-19 vaccine availability for foreign seafarers in United States ports

The North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) has compiled information on COVID-19 vaccine availability for foreign seafarers in United States ports. The list is available on the NAMMA website here: https://namma.org/vaccines/. The list is shared to assist all the ongoing efforts of local seafarers’ welfare agencies, government bodies, health care providers, industry and labour partners who are working together to provide seafarers with vaccines. In past weeks, pharmacies and health authorities in many US states and cities have made COVID-19 vaccines available to foreigners. Requirements for receiving vaccines differ from port to port, however. In certain areas no i.d. is

IMCA supports eCMID AVI Festival of knowledge on 18 May

Following the opening introduction by Mike Schwarz, CEO of The International Institute of Marine Survey and the Marine Surveying Academy the IMCA session, starting at 1045hrs will feature: Graeme Reid AFNI, Technical Adviser – MarineAdam Hugo, IT Services & Solutions SpecialistAde Adebanjo, IT Services Technician Subjects to be covered include: April 2021 inspection templates, new supplements, findings analysis and report auditingSystem developments – eCMID Inspection App, database site improvements and roadmapQ&A All AVI events and programme are run by IIMS so to book your place, please contact Sharon Holland at courses@marinesurveyingacademy.com Read the event flyer Visit Marine Surveying website To

IMCA publishes Guidance for Surface Swimmers

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published a new guidance document ‘Surface Swimmers’ (IMCA D 066). Historically surface swimmers have been used to complete a variety of offshore work tasks in the field and this new guidance provides firm recommendations for matters to be considered when planning surface swimming operations; PPE for the surface swimmer and the standby swimmer; limitations on surface swimming; operational planning; operational support; and, very importantly, information on when and where surface swimmers should not be used. As Phil Towers, IMCA’s Technical Adviser – Diving and Lifting, explained: IMCA Contact Phil Towers Technical Adviser –

IMCA South America webinar to focus on Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability lies at the heart of the forthcoming webinar (Wednesday 28 April from 13:30 BST) organised by the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) South America Regional Committee. As regional lead, IMCA’s Technical Adviser – Marine, Andy Goldsmith, who will host the webinar with John Chatten, Chair and Daniel Marins, Vice Chair of the Committee, explained: “John, Daniel and other members of the committee have put together a great programme reflecting IMCA’s commitment to advancing environmental sustainability in the offshore marine contracting industry. We support our member companies in improving their environmental performance and in the transition to a low

Vaccinating Seafarers

The shipping industry[1] is once again collaborating to ensure that seafarers are protected against the COVID-19 disease. A Vaccinations Task Force is developing best practice guidance in order to: Ensure a pragmatic approach is taken by Governments to seafarer inoculations;Develop guidelines setting out all the steps necessary to implement a vaccination programme for seafarers; andAddress the legal liabilities for shipowners arising from vaccinations. IMCA Contact Phil Towers Technical Adviser – Diving & Lifting Contact This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The principles adopted recognise that: Seafarers have been recognised by

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