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Tag: Competence & Training

Working at Sea: IMO review of STCW identifies new focus areas

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, is an international agreement which sets the standards of competence for seafarers internationally. The 1978 STCW Convention entered into force on 28 April 1984 and since then several revisions have taken place, with the last adopted in 2018.  The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has now started work on the long-awaited comprehensive review of both the Convention and Code. IMCA attended the meeting of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) in February 2024 and participated in the Working Group which was

Module four launches on IMCA Key Personnel DP App

We are delighted to share details of the latest addition to our IMCA Key Personnel DP App, with a fourth module released focusing on field arrival trials, SIMOPS and laser position references. The update comes following the introduction of new rules by the Nautical Institute which require Dynamic Positioning Operators to demonstrate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) throughout their careers. The IMCA Key Personnel DP App is one means of ensuring that DP Operators can simply meet their new CPD requirements cost-effectively. An NI accredited scheme, it links directly to users’ profiles in the NI’s Alexis platform, providing ongoing proof of

IMCA launches new industry awareness campaign

IMCA has launched a new industry awareness campaign following the introduction of new rules by the Nautical Institute (NI) which require Dynamic Positioning (DP) Operators to demonstrate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) throughout their careers. Commenting on the new rules, Captain John Lloyd, Chief Executive at the NI, said: “While our changes are being gradually introduced over the coming years as DP Operators revalidate their certificates, how the new CPD requirements are going to be met will need to be considered by Operators as soon as possible.” To support the industry in understanding these changes, and what it means in practice

Thirteenth unit launched for Diving Supervisor CPD App

IMCA has launched a thirteenth unit for its well-respected Diving Supervisor CPD App. The App, which initially launched in 2020, is aimed at facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD) which became mandatory for certified IMCA Diving Supervisors in January 2021. Designed to enable supervisors to easily demonstrate that appropriate CPD has been completed, it is available on both Apple and Android phones and tablet devices. For those working at sea, or with poor data connections, the content including interactive tutorials can be downloaded to be completed offline.Commenting on its publication, Bryan McGlinchy, Diving Manager at IMCA, said: “We’re delighted to share

Approving ROV introductory training courses

Following an increase in false certificates in circulation claiming to offer IMCA approved ROV training courses, IMCA has introduced a new scheme to address the safety concerns of this unauthorised activity.   The new approval process will mean that training providers who wish to offer IMCA approved courses will be required to apply for T2 ROV membership. Current T2 ROV members will need to have submitted the application and submission by 30 June 2023, with the audits completed by the end of the year.   Once fully approved, courses and their providers, will be listed on IMCA’s website alongside other approved courses.  

Podcast – What is Competence? Part five

Listen to part five of this short podcast on understanding competence with IMCA’s Technical Adviser Andre Rose. In the fifth episode of the “Understanding Competence” series, we will briefly look at the IMCA documents relating to the competence process. If you want more information, why not read the related published article below. IMCA Contact Andre Rose Technical Adviser – Remote Systems and ROV, Offshore Survey, Digitalisation Contact Error: Contact form not found. The IMCA Competence Suite of Documents

IMCA urges members to be vigilant against fabricated certificates

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has asked members to treat with utmost caution, any certificates, other than those listed on their website, that depict IMCA logos or portray IMCA approval. The Association was made aware of a number of doctored ROV certificates, being circulated in the Asia-Pacific region, despite the fact it does not currently issue, approve or accredit ROV certification. IMCA Contact Allen Leatt Chief Executive Contact Error: Contact form not found. Allen Leatt, Chief Executive of IMCA explained: “It is hugely concerning that people are being misled in this way, and investing in a qualification that doesn’t

IMCA’s South America regional webinar focuses on competence

The November South American Regional Webinar of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) will be held  on Wednesday 24 November at 10:00 local time in Brazil (BRT) (UTC-3) and bring together the work of the South American Committee with that of the global Competence & Training Committee. Being held in a mixture of English and Portuguese the key focus for the webinar, led by Chair John Chatten and Vice Chair Daniel Marins, supported by the committee members and with Andy Goldsmith as IMCA’s regional lead, will be on competence. Registration is at www.imca-int.com/calendar/imca-south-america-webinar-on-competence/ Andy Goldsmith, IMCA’s, Lead for South America

The Competence Process

The Competence Process This is the fourth article in the IMCA Competence and Training Committee’s Series “Understanding Competence”. Previously, we have considered 3 questions: What is Competence?Why use a Competence Scheme?Challenges to implementing a Competence Scheme. In this article we will look at the end-to-end competence process and consider two different examples of how competence works in practice. We will consider a typical Offshore Industry competence process, that for an ROV Pilot/Tech. We have previously identified 5 distinct activities which comprise the Competence process: Pre-requisites – this could be medical, educational or trade requirements Learning – the gaining of knowledge, understanding,

Podcast – What is Competence? Part four

Listen to part four of this short podcast on understanding competence with IMCA’s Technical Adviser Andre Rose. This is the fourth podcast in the IMCA Competence and Training Committee’s Series “Understanding Competence”. Previously, we have considered 3 questions: What is Competence? Why use a Competence Scheme? Challenges to implementing a Competence Scheme. In this podcast, we will look at the end-to-end competence process and consider two different examples of how competence works in practice. Read the related article to this episode below. IMCA Contact Andre Rose Technical Adviser – Remote Systems and ROV, Offshore Survey, Digitalisation Contact Error: Contact form not

Podcast – What is Competence? Part Three

Listen to part three of this short podcast on understanding competence with IMCA’s Technical Adviser Andre Rose. The third instalment of our “Understanding Competence” series looks at the challenges IMCA member companies may come across when implementing a competence scheme and how to overcome them. Read the related article to this episode below. IMCA Contact Allen Leatt Chief Executive Contact Error: Contact form not found. Don’t forget to listen to previous episodes of this series (below) if you haven’t already. Challenges to implementing a competence scheme

Podcast – What is Competence? Part Two

Listen to part two of this short podcast on understanding competence with IMCA’s Technical Adviser Andre Rose. “Creating a logical and well-organised set of procedures greatly assists in the administration and control of all the elements of a workforce competence scheme.”Join us for part 2 of our competence series as Andre Rose, IMCA’s Technical Advisor for Competence & Training, addresses why you should use a competence scheme and which appropriate measures you may require to ensure the scheme is meaningful and valuable. Related article coming soon IMCA Contact Allen Leatt Chief Executive Contact Error: Contact form not found. Don’t forget

IMCA South America webinar on Competence

IMCA’s South America Regional Committee is planning to host its next regional webinar on 24 November 2021 at 1000hrs local time in Brazil (BRT), (UTC-3). The key focus for this webinar will be competence, led by Chair John Chatten, Vice Chair Daniel Marins and supported by the committee members with Andy Goldsmith as IMCA’s regional lead. The webinar opened with a few words from special guest Vice Admiral Alexandre Cursino of the Brazilian Navy and IMCA’s Chief Executive Allen Leatt. Presentations followed from: IMCA’s Competence & Training Committee representative – Celio Pessoa, Subsea 7 will discuss what competence is, what

Podcast – What is Competence? Part One

Listen to part one of this short podcast on understanding competence with IMCA’s Technical Adviser Andre Rose. We encounter terms related to “competence” every day in our work-related activities. “We use a competence-based system” or “Our workforce is fully competent” are common phrases used, but do we fully understand what competence means? If you want more information, why not read the related published article below. IMCA Contact Allen Leatt Chief Executive Contact Error: Contact form not found. Listen to this podcast in Portuguese What is Competence? Part Two What is Competence? Part Three What is Competence? Part Four The Competence

IMCA launches new online facility for instant verification of certificates for safety-critical positions in the offshore industry.

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has launched a new online facility as part of the Association’s digital transformation programme which will enable members to access verification services 24 hours a day. It will cover all five certificate types currently issued; Air Diving Supervisor, Bell Diving Supervisor, Life Support Technician, DP Company Authority and DP Trials & Assurance Practitioner. New initiatives such as Accredited Diving System Inspectors will also benefit from the service. A search form is now available at for registered website users to check the status of any certificate provided to them by its holder. The existing option

IMCA Publishes Basic Training Document Aimed at Offshore Renewables Sector

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published ‘Basic Safety Training Requirements for Personnel Employed in the Offshore Renewable Energy Sector’ (IMCA C 018). It provides standard basic safety training requirements for inclusion at contract awards stage covering those employed on-board vessels during the construction and maintenance support phases of offshore renewable energy projects. The new guidance document incorporates an invaluable matrix to aid clarity for the sector. The ‘Basic Safety Training Matrix’ defines the minimum level of health and safety training, and medical fitness needed to work on, and from, vessels engaged on an offshore renewable energy project. It

One Year On! IMCA DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Dynamic Positioning (DP) Practitioner Accreditation Scheme launched on 1 May 2019, has received close to 1000 enquiries in its first year. The Accreditation Scheme is the output of a cross industry workgroup consisting of DP vessel owners/operators, training providers, DP consultants, major energy companies and relevant organisations. This workgroup was tasked by IMCA’s Marine Division Management Committee in 2018 to devise a scheme to improve consistency and conduct of DP Trials. Additionally, the scheme set an industry recognised level of knowledge for DP Practitioners responsible for developing, witnessing and reporting of DP Trials in

IMCA to Introduce CPD Scheme for Diving Supervisors

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has launched its pilot Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme for diving supervisors. As announced in November 2018, the App based scheme incorporates the very latest in training techniques and is available in IOS, Android, tablet and PC formats. Trials of the App are now ready to begin in earnest. A representative cross-section of diving supervisors from leading contractors in the industry is being invited to participate in the consultation and testing process to ensure the system is user-friendly, appropriate, and effective. Following the trials and assessment processes, the ambition is to go-live to IMCA’s

IMCA develops freelance competence e-portfolios

An IMCA workgroup, initially formed of members of its Offshore Survey Division Management Committee, has developed an easy, cost-effective and measurable way to assess and verify the competence of freelance personnel agency workers and sub-contractors. The work has been developed in cooperation with IMCA’s Competence & Training Core Committee and is intended to be applicable to personnel involved in all technical disciplines in which the Association’s members operate. The background to this development is that contractors are increasingly reliant on freelance personnel. The main tool used to assess their competence has been a curriculum vitae (CV, or résumé). This is

IMCA to stage competence seminar in Aberdeen

‘Effective competence solutions’ is the theme of an International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Competence and Training Seminar to be held in Aberdeen on Wednesday 2 September 2015. It is aimed at competence and training (C&T) representatives and their offshore personnel as well as oil company representatives and providers of C&T solutions; members and other interested parties can attend the full day event free-of-charge, but need to register at www.imca-int.com/events/competence-workshop. “Competence & Training is an IMCA core activity, and the our competence assurance and assessment guidance provides members with a framework for creating their own in-house schemes for assessing and recording

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