Tag: Diving

The ‘International Code of Practice for Offshore Diving’ (IMCA D 014) is one of the key guidance documents for contractors and clients published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) – Booth S18 at OTC 2014. It provides advice on ways in which offshore diving operations can be carried out safely and efficiently, and references other IMCA diving guidance documents extensively. An industry-wide consultation has led to this invaluable document being expanded and refreshed with better layout to ensure greater clarity. It offers examples of good practice and includes personnel, equipment a systems guidelines for surface supplied diving using air,

The safety of divers in saturation is of paramount importance. With this in mind, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) – Booth S18 at OTC 2014 – has published ‘Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note (DESIGN) for the hyperbaric reception facility (HRF) forming part of a hyperbaric evacuation system (HES)’ (IMCA D 053). “D 053 should always be used in conjunction with IMCA D 018 ‘Code of practice on the initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of diving plant and equipment’,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”Indeed, cross references to this Code are provided where appropriate. “Our new document

‘DESIGN for Surface Orientated (Air) Diving Systems’ has been revised and updated by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) to incorporate equipment improvements and changed operating practices since its first publication in 2000. The format has also been changed slightly to improve ease of use and provide better referencing. As IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler explains:”DESIGN of course stands for Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note’. Known globally by its reference number IMCA D 023, this guidance, addresses various aspects of a surface orientated diving system as utilised within the offshore diving industry and aims to provide a comprehensive reference

Underwater high pressure water jetting equipment is used by fully submerged divers for cleaning, or cutting, purposes. Effective and safe operation of this equipment, and of its associated surface support equipment, is covered in the latest publication from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) – ‘Code of Practice for the use of High Pressure Jetting Equipment by Divers’. “The code of practices is also intended to apply to diver controlled jetting operations on, or near, the surface where there can be a risk, though contract with the water jet stream or flying debris, of traumatic injury to others working in

The ‘International Code of Practice for Offshore Diving’ (IMCA D 014), published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), provides advice on ways in which diving operations can be carried out safely and efficiently. Risk management lies at its heart as it outlines minimum requirements, creating a safe ‘level playing field’ for all diving contractors. It also recommends how clients and contractors may analyse the safety implications of commercial requirements. Updated in 2007 from the original 1998 version, the latest updated text has now been widely circulated in draft form for international input and comment before the revised and updated

Work is under way on reviewing the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Diver Medic Scheme which is widely used and taught by IMCA recognized schools around the world. The scheme has changed little since its development in 1999, although there have been some significant improvements in training as a result of changes in technology and recent experience in trauma medicine. In addition, the problem of skill fade amongst Diver Medics, especially with some of the more complex procedures, has become an increasing cause for concern. “Initial work on reviewing the scheme will include the establishment of a workgroup later this

When a vessel is severely damaged there may come a time when it has to be abandoned. For such a situation vessels are required to have adequate lifeboats (or life rafts) on board for all personnel. In such an emergency, the evacuation of divers in saturation represents a particular problem as they cannot be readily decompressed in order to be evacuated in the same way as other crew members. The divers need to be transferred to a pressurised compartment which can be detached from the diving system on the vessel and launched or floated into the sea. “This means that

Competent and well trained technicians are vital for safe offshore diving operations. Equipment used to support and conduct diving operations requires technicians for its installation, maintenance, inspection, testing and repair. The correct functioning of the equipment is essential to the well-being of the divers and other members of the dive team. Contractors who use the services of dive technicians have an obligation to ensure that personnel are correctly trained and have the required level of competence for the equipment, and in the operations they are conducting. With this in mind, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published ‘Dive Technician

One of the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) key Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Notes (DESIGN) – IMCA D 023 ‘DESIGN for Surface Oriented (Air) Diving Systems’ has been substantially revised, and is in its industry-wide consultation phase until 14 June 2013. “This is an important document and we have distributed the draft widely throughout the industry, but are eager to hear from all who are interested to become involved with the consultation exercise,” explains Jane Bugler, IMCA’s Technical Director.”D 023 was initially published in February 2000, and offers examples of good practice and gives advice on aspects of a

Offshore equipment and operating practices are routinely improved in the constant quest for ever-greater levels of safety and efficiency. The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) newly published ‘Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note (DESIGN) for Saturation (Bell) Diving Systems’ (IMCA D 024 Rev 1) reflects the changes that have taken place since its initial publication in 2001. “It is intended that this document should be used in conjunction with IMCA D 018 ‘Code of practice on the initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of diving plant and equipment’, says IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”Cross-references to this Code are provided

Proposals published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) in ‘Hyperbaric Evacuation Systems (HES) Interface Recommendations’ (IMCA D 051) seek 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). “This document is a ‘recommendation’ only,” explains Jane Bugler, IMCA’s Technical Director. “We would like to emphasise too that the proposed interface recommendation put forward in our new publication is for future builds, it is not written with the view to retrofit existing systems. What we have published has four objectives: To plan

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is consulting widely, and globally, on new guidance on hyperbaric evacuation systems aimed at improving the safety of saturation divers throughout the world. “In 2011 we set up an industry-wide workgroup to develop the hyperbaric evacuation guidance,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”The work was split into five main topic areas – risk assessment, technical, operations, medical and standards. The document, which runs to over 70 pages, is a substantial piece of work, and should make a significant contribution in helping to improve the evacuation arrangements available to saturation divers world-wide. “We are distributing

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published ‘Minimum quantities of gas required offshore’ (IMCA D 050) to address the minimum amount of emergency breathing medium (air or mixed gas) required to be kept at an offshore dive site before the dive commences, and during it. Helpfully , the new publication includes a useful equation for determining the minimum quantity of oxygen required to maintain the desired oxygen partial pressure levels in a system during decompression. “In preparing this document, which supersedes AODC 014 which has been in existence since July 1983 we had four objectives in mind,” explains IMCA’s

One of the most recent publications from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is ‘Surface Supplied Diving Operations Using Nitrox’ (IMCA D 048). Surface supplied diving is sometimes carried out using a breathing gas mix of nitrogen and oxygen, with a higher percentage of oxygen in the mix than in natural compressed air. The common industry terminology for such a gas mix is nitrox. “Diving while breathing nitrox reduces the required decompression time for any particular dive in comparison to the same dive using natural compressed air,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler. “The technique is normally used to ensure

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) set up an industry-wide workgroup during 2011 to develop guidance on hyperbaric evacuation. The work was split into five main topic areas: risk assessment, technical, operations, medical and standards. Hugh Williams, IMCA’s Chief Executive explains: “The standards subgroup has focused its attention on the development of establishing common technical interfaces for hyperbaric lifeboats and reception facilities. The work, which has involved informal discussion with contractors and equipment manufacturers, has led to the development of a technical proposal that covers the ten main interface areas, including lifting strops, falls, support position, locating pins, the hyperbaric

Acrylic plastic viewports in diving systems have been in satisfactory use for a number of years. However, the development of testing them by polarised light showed that there are various misconceptions about them. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has just released updated guidance on the topic. An initial guidance note which sought to correct these misconceptions was initially prepared as AODC 030 in 1986 following advice from Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Now a revised document has been produced by IMCA through the Safety, Medical, Technical & Training Committee of its Diving Division Management Committee as part of its planned

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published an information note on non-destructive evaluation (NDE) testing of gas cylinders. Advancements in NDE testing techniques for gas cylinders have been the subject of extensive discussion by members of the IMCA Diving Division Safety, Medical, Technical & Training Committee (SMTT). A dedicated workgroup of industry experts was established to take the issue forward and to develop an update of detail sheet 9.1 of IMCA D 018 – Code of practice on the initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of diving plant and equipment. The updated detail sheet 9.1 of IMCA D