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IMCA's Diving Heritage to the Fore

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is pleased to announce that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) at its 7th session has endorsed the establishment of an intersessional Correspondence Group to progress the revision and update of the IMO Code of Safety for Diving Systems (resolution A.831 (19) and the Guidelines and Specifications for Hyperbaric Evacuation Systems (resolution A.692 (17)). The Correspondence Group is tasked to: Consider key areas to be addressed for revising the Code of Safety for Diving Systems (resolution A.831(19)), based on document SSE 7/14, in particular, paragraph 6 of the

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 Diving Technical Team Expanded

Ali Macleod has joined the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) as Technical Adviser – Diving, having spent over six months with the association as Diving Training Provider Auditor. Prior to this he was the Diver Training Manager at The Underwater Centre in Fort William for over 20 years. IMCA’s Diving Manager, Bryan McGlinchy stated: “We are delighted to welcome Ali to the technical team. He has a passion and a reputation in the diving industry for delivering high quality training to members of the diving community. “He is a qualified Air and Closed bell Diver, a Dive Supervisor and highly

IMCA and ADCI Working Together to Benefit Offshore Commercial Diving

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI), the two major trade associations in the commercial diving industry, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on matters of operational safety, training standards, and the mutual recognition of diver qualifications. The two organisations have had a close relationship for a number of years and earlier this year established the International Diving Industry Forum (IDIF) together with the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP), to reduce and control the risks associated with diving in the oil and gas industry globally. Under this Memorandum

International Diving Industry Forum Established by the World’s Key Energy Industry Diving Bodies

The International Diving Industry Forum (IDIF) has been established by three key industry stakeholders – the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA); the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI); and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) – to reduce and control the risks associated with energy industry diving operations carried out anywhere in the world. It is intended that the Forum will: Bring leading industry stakeholders together in a collaborative, constructive effort to promote international energy industry diving safety; Provide a specialist forum for discussions, sharing ideas and experiences, and for targeting themes for improving diving safety; Facilitate

IMCA Publishes New Guidance on Divers' Health, Fitness and Medical Issues

Diver health (medical fitness) and physical fitness issues need to be managed more effectively The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) newly published ‘Guidance on Health, Fitness and Medical Issues in Diving Operations‘ (IMCA D 061) has been prepared in response to concerns about how best to address certain problematic diver health, fitness and medical issues identified by IMCA’s Diving Division members. “IMCA members have become concerned that the number of workplace incidents connected to diver health (medical fitness) and physical fitness appears to be growing.Key factors are identified in D 061 that underlie many of these incidents. This rising trend

Working Together: Speakers announced for Diving Technical day at IMCA's Annual Seminar in The Hague

Revision of the IMO Diving Instruments covered from concept to delivery Oxygen uptake and medical fitness to dive explored New CPD scheme for Diving Supervisors and Competence Assessment e-Portfolios for diving roles in the spotlight The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Annual Seminar with its theme ‘Working Together: Getting back to business – oil companies and contractors finding new ways of working’, on the 28 and 29 November, will feature a day-long Diving Technical Session. The IMCA Annual Seminar will be held at the World Forum in The Hague, The Netherlands. The Diving Session, on 29 November, will cover topics

Diving supervisor certification exams

IMCA has temporarily suspended diving supervisor certification exams in Mumbai due to concerns over the probity of certain examinations undertaken in the Mumbai area. An investigation is underway, and a number of air diving supervisor certificates have been suspended. If any diving contractor member has any doubts on the currency of any diving supervisor certificate number, please contact [email][email protected][/email].  

IMCA Annual Seminar – ‘Working Together’ – with technical sessions on marine and diving

IMCA lines up Senior Executives from Shell, BP, Equinor, and Neptune Energy for its Annual Seminar Bain & Co Head of the global oilfield practice to speak on changes moving the industry Technical sessions on Marine and Diving addressing industry challenges The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) will hold its Annual Seminar with the theme ‘Working Together: getting back to business – oil companies and contractors finding new ways of working’, on 28 and 29 November 2018 at the World Forum in The Hague, The Netherlands. IMCA’s CEO Allen Leatt said: “Our Annual Seminar will bring together contractors, suppliers, and

IMCA issues revised Lifting Operations Guidance

Extensive revision to all Guidance sections and the inclusion of additional key appendices IMCA’s Technical Manager to speak on the revised Guidance at International Offshore Crane and Lifting Conference The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) has issued revised ‘Guidelines for lifting operations‘ (IMCA LR006, SEL019, D060, and M187) after an extensive review of all sections of the document, and added appendices on subsea lifts, diving operations, lifting personnel, lifting at extreme heights and dismantlement of offshore structures. The additions to the main body of the Guidance document are designed to ensure greater levels of safety. These include: a new lift

IMCA Diving Seminar and DMAC Workshop to be Held

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and the Diving Medical Advisory Committee (DMAC) are staging a two-day IMCA Diving Seminar and DMAC Workshop in London on 25-26 September 2017 that will present a number of topics of interest to the global offshore diving community. The event, being held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in Great Queen Street, London WC2, will focus most closely on certain medical issues currently considered particularly relevant to IMCA Diving Division members. There will be three sessions spread over two days, with the first two sessions comprising a DMAC Workshop – the first since

IMCA to stage Aberdeen-based diving seminar

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) will host a Diving Seminar in Aberdeen on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 November. This event is a continuation of IMCA’s new series of mini-seminars – niche events tailored to tackle specific topics. Taking place at the Holiday Inn Aberdeen West the two-day Seminar is being held to present (and discuss) a number of proposed improvements to IMCA’s DESIGN (Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note) documents, including the creation of a standalone life support package (LSP) DESIGN document. Alan Forsyth, Director of HSE, Subsea 7 and Steve Sheppard, Offshore Services Manager, Helix ESG will

IMCA's guidance on open parachute type underwater air lift bags revised

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has revised IMCA D 016 ‘Guidance on open parachute type underwater air lift bags’. The new version is now ready for free downloading from the IMCA website at www.imca-int.com. The guidance addresses the initial and periodic examination, testing, certification and maintenance of open parachute-type underwater air lift bags used to lift submerged objects. It also addresses the operational use of these bags and the safety precautions that should be taken during their use. The principle major revisions in this fourth revision are to those sections dealing with the use of inverter lines and hold-back

IMCA publishes revisions of two important diving guidance documents

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published revisions of two important diving publications – Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note (DESIGN) for Mobile/Portable Surface Supplied Systems (IMCA D 040 Rev 1) and Mobile/Portable/Daughtercraft Surface Supplied Systems (IMCA D 015 Rev 1). Both documents can be downloaded free of charge from the IMCA website, with printed copies available for purchase from the association. “Our diving guidance documents are used throughout the world, indeed often use of them is a requirement for diving contractors responding to a tender,” explains Jane Bugler, IMCA’s Technical Director and Acting Chief Executive.”The DESIGN series of

ROV Intervention During Diving Operations

Safety is of paramount important offshore, and ‘Remotely Operated Vehicle Intervention During Diving Operations’ (IMCA D 054, IMCA R 020) is newly published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) to provide guidelines for the safe and efficient offshore operation of ROVs in combined operations with divers in the same underwater space. “The guidance is designed for use by both contractors and clients, and purposely avoids subjects of minority interest,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”It contains guidelines and recommendations for the maintenance of a high level of safety and efficiency across the ROV sector. It does not, however, attempt

Hyperbaric evacuation in the IMCA spotlight

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has recently published the revised document ‘Hyperbaric Evacuation Systems (HES) Interface Requirements’ (IMCA D 051 Rev. 1); and an Information Note that demonstrates the importance of cross-industry collaboration of a topic as vital to safety as hyperbaric evacuation. IMCA D 051 seeks to address the interface issues encountered when a diving contractor needs to remove its divers from a stricken facility by use of a hyperbaric rescue unit (HRU). It outlines IMCA’s recommendation of requirements for future builds, it is not written with intent to retrofit existing systems. The guidance has clear objectives, as

Time to talk PLCs in diving systems

DIARY DATE: Event:IMCA PLCs in Diving Workshop Date:11 March 2015 Venue:Amsterdam, The Netherlands Cost:free to attend but registration vital Further information and registration: [email protected] Time to Talk PLCS in Diving Systems Since 2010 diving systems featuring programmable logic controllers (PLCs) have undergone rapid development. With use of these systems set to continue to rise, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has taken the initiative to future-proof by organising a workshop in Amsterdam on 11 March 2015 to discuss the big issues. “The workshop will be a great opportunity for members using PLCs in diving systems to get involved, it could

IMCA issues revised version of key diving plant and equipment code

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has produced a revised version of ‘Code of Practice for The Initial and Periodic Examination, Testing and Certification of Diving Plant and Equipment’ (IMCA D 018 Rev. 1). The revision has taken place as part of the overall review of the DESIGN (Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note) documents (IMCA D 023, 024, 037, 040) in 2013/14. “Just as the name of the document implies, this code addresses the initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of all diving plant and equipment as utilised within the offshore diving industry,” explains Jane Bugler, IMCA’s Technical

IMCA revises saturation (bell) diving systems inspection guidance

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA)Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note (DESIGN) for Saturation (Bell) Diving Systems(IMCA D 024) has now been revised and updated to incorporate equipment improvements and changed operating practices since its first publication in 2001 as well as expanding the sections for the hyperbaric rescue unit, its launch system and its interfaces with the saturation diving system. “There is also a new section for the life support package (LSP),” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”The format has also been changed slightly to improve ease of use and provide better referencing. It is intended that this document

IMCA publishes 'Guidance for Diving Supervisors'

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) ‘Guidance for Diving Supervisors’ (IMCA D 022 Rev 1), (formerly ‘The Diving Supervisor’s Manual’) has been updated to reflect the latest diving industry good practice for diving supervisors all over the world, and is now available online and in printed format. “Some of the most noteworthy changes to the document include new or revised guidance on eight key topics,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”These are, the safe movement of moored vessels acting as dive platforms; the safe conduct of dynamically positioned (DP) diving (example vessel hazard drawings have been added); secure isolation of