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Nominations Open for IMCA Annual Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Environmental Sustainability and Safety Annual Awards. As Allen Leatt, Chief Executive explains: “Following the success of the inaugural awards in 2018 when TechnipFMC’s Marine Operation Services won the Environmental Sustainability Award for the ‘very positive steps undertaken by crews to eliminate use of single-use plastics under T-MOS’s Plastics Reduction Plan; and the Safety Award was won jointly by MMA Offshore for its strategy and plans on ‘Target 365: A perfect day every day’ and Subsea 7 for ‘Driving IMCA’s Resilience Awareness Programme’, we are now running our awards

IMCA Publishes Summary of 2018 Safety Flashes

136 incidents reported in 29 Safety Flashes in 2018 The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has issued an Information Note showing that in 2018 it published 29 Safety Flashes reporting 136 incidents. Delivered regularly throughout the year, IMCA’s Safety Flash system provides a fast andvital communication channel to help improve safety performance in the offshore industry. The data of reported incidents in 2018 show several trends, which are: 10% were ‘near misses’; 10% were the result of equipment failure; In 7% of cases, people suffered hand or finger injuries; Eight involved fires: two of these were laundry fires, and three

Final five IMCA safety videos and pocket cards available

The suite of 15 new safety training videos and associated pocket cards has now been completed by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). The final five videos and cards in the ‘Be prepared to work safely‘ series are now available. “There was very positive feedback to the first ten duo of videos and pocket cards and we are delighted to be able to launch the final five in the series in the knowledge that they will help to keep safety in the forefront of the minds of our members’ workforce,” explains Richard Benzie, IMCA’s Technical Director. “The five latest videos

IMCA and OCIMF staging cyber security seminar for London International Shipping Week

The need for cyber security and understanding possible risks is a growing concern across all industries and sectors.  As part of London International Shipping Week the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) are holding a Cyber Security Seminar on 12 September. With the overall theme ‘Ship control systems: ‘Designed in’ cyber security protection should be standard’ the afternoon seminar will focus on cyber security requirements for vessel operators dealing with third party access to vessel systems. Being held at the De Vere Conference Rooms in Canary Wharf, London it will examine the issues surrounding third

What will power shipping in 2050?

Eleni Antoniadou, Policy & Regulatory Affairs Adviser at the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) was one of 19 experts asked by KNect365 Maritime “What will power shipping in 2050?” The answers appear on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. This followed a previous blog post last year on shipping companies’ potential to ‘go green’ to which Eleni also contributed. “I was delighted to be asked to contribute to both KNect365 Maritime articles and make predictions on which alternative fuel would see the largest growth by 2050. A paper published last year from Dr Nishatabbas Rehmatulla of University College London Energy Institute provided

Are you prepared? New IMCA safety videos and pocket cards launched

Effective promotion of safe working practices is high on the workplace agenda, and keeping safety material fresh and accessible remains vital to putting over the message. This has led to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) launching a new series of mini safety videos, each with a supporting pocket safety card. Scene from ‘Preventing slips and trips’ safety video The series launches with ten videos with ‘Be Prepared to Work Safely’ as part of the title. The first is ‘Be Prepared to Work Safely – Working at Height’ and there are nine others dealing with preventing slips and trips; toolbox

IMCA welcomes IMO Secretary General’s call not to threaten IMO’s emissions global roadmap

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) believes that the roadmap adopted by the Marine Environment Protection of IMO (MEPC 70) to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions globally from shipping provides the right framework for moving forward on this vital issue. According to the agreed timeline, IMO will initiate its decision-making on further measures to tackle the challenge of GHG from shipping in 2022. “We welcomed the unanimous international decision at IMO on this important issue; obtaining it took many years of negotiations and intense discussions,” explains John Bradshaw, IMCA’s Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager. “We

IMCA's Human Factors in Modern Maritime Security seminar

Registrations for the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) forthcoming Security Seminar being held in London on Thursday 10 November are coming from home and overseas, from companies and individuals concerned about the human factors on security in key areas of the offshore marine contracting industry, both in the offshore oil and gas and renewable energy sectors.Sponsored by Subsea 7, the event is a continuation of IMCA’s new series of mini-seminars – niche events tailored to tackle specific topics. Nicolas Krmic of Subsea 7, and IMCA’s Security Workgroup Chairman, will welcome delegates – primarily security professionals, vessel security managers, academics and

IMCA to hold maritime security seminar

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is hosting a Security Seminar in London on Thursday 10 November which will focus on human factors in modern maritime security. Sponsored by Subsea 7 and Technip, the event is a continuation of IMCA’s new series of mini-seminars – niche events tailored to tackle specific topics. “The day-long seminar at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington will provide an invaluable opportunity for all concerned to understand the impact of human factors on security in key areas of the offshore marine contracting industry – both in the oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors,”

IMCA welcomes news of the Ballast Water Management Convention

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) welcomes the news that the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention enters into force on 8 September 2017, and has produced a 12-point information sheet on the Convention for its members. The BWM Convention aims to stop the spread of potentially invasive aquatic species in ships’ ballast water. It was Finland’s accession on 8 September this year that triggered the entry into force of the Convention in a year’s time. Under the Convention’s terms, ships will be required to manage their ballast water to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of aquatic

15 new safety promotion videos to be launched by IMCA

The promotion of safe working practices is of paramount importance to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and its members around the globe. Over a two year period, IMCA will be launching 15 short mini-videos, to complement the existing IMCA pocket cards, which will be revised at the same time. These are designed to cross all cultures, boundaries and backgrounds. All will feature a computer generated blue animated character, the first appearance of which was in IMCA’s ‘In the Line of Fire’ (SEL 036) and ‘Mooring Incidents’ (SEL 038) videos in 2014/2015. “It is important that safety videos set the

Guidance On Drug & Alcohol Policies and Testing From IMCA

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published ‘Guidance on drug & alcohol policies and testing’ (SEL 040). It is downloadable free of charge to members and non-members alike at www.imca-int.com/media/252259/imcasel040.pdf Within its 28 pages there are sections on ‘Who should be tested? – Reasons for testing’; ‘Tests for drug and alcohol abuse’; ‘Urine testing’; ‘Breath testing’; ‘Record keeping’; ‘Problems with testing’; and ‘Cut-off levels’ as well as a useful glossary of terms and guidance on further information. The document addresses the importance of a broad multi-disciplinary approach, with the involvement of different departments, including Occupational Health, Human Resources, and

Guidance On Drug & Alcohol Policies and Testing From IMCA

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published ‘Guidance on drug & alcohol policies and testing’ (SEL 040). It is downloadable free of charge to members and non-members alike at www.imca-int.com/media/252259/imcasel040.pdf Within its 28 pages there are sections on ‘Who should be tested? – Reasons for testing’; ‘Tests for drug and alcohol abuse’; ‘Urine testing’; ‘Breath testing’; ‘Record keeping’; ‘Problems with testing’; and ‘Cut-off levels’ as well as a useful glossary of terms and guidance on further information. The document addresses the importance of a broad multi-disciplinary approach, with the involvement of different departments, including Occupational Health, Human Resources, and

New drops video available on IMCA website

Dropped objects – still happening; and still harming – we must never expose ourselves, or others, to the risk of dropped or falling objects. That’s the message in a new video now available to watch on the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) website. The short, and highly emotive video, highlights the importance of safe working practices, not only to offshore personnel, but to their families at home. The video was prepared by Technip with help from Atlas; and as Technip’s Marine Operations Services QHSE Director, Pete Somner, and Chairman of IMCA’s Marine Division Management Committee, says on the video:”It is

Annual safety and environmental statistics analysis underway at IMCA

Each year the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) carries out a safety and environmental survey of its contractor members. Contractor member companies that have not already submitted their statistics for 2015 to IMCA are urged to do so with speed, for work is now underway to analyse the statistics and determine both safety and environmental trends. Safety statistics have been gathered since 1997 and the environmental aspect of the survey was introduced in 2013. Revisiting the 2014 statistics The 2014 figures safety statistics drawn from 264 IMCA contractor members and based upon 798 million man-hours of work overall (558 million

IMCA to run cyber security workshop

IMCA to Run Cyber Security Workshop The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), in conjunction with the Security Association for the Marine Industry (SAMI), is holding a Cyber Security Workshop on Wednesday 9 September 2015, during London International Shipping Week (LISW) on board HQS Wellington moored on the River Thames. “The aim of the workshop is to provide those attending with the latest assessment and current trends in cyber security threat and to provide guidance on how to counter the threat posed by this potentially catastrophic 21st century security phenomenon,” explains Jane Bugler, IMCA’s Technical Director and Acting Chief Executive. “The

IMCA publishes annual safety and environmental statistics

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published its annual safety and environmental statistics. Drawn from 264 IMCA contractor members and based upon 798 million man-hours of work overall (558 million man-hours relating to offshore work) the 2014 dataset shows that the overall ‘flat line’ tendency in lagging safety indicators has continued in the longer term. “Direct causes of Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) continue to be the ‘usual candidates’ – with struck by moving/falling objects the highest accounting for 110 incidents (26%); falls on the same level (including slips and trips) in second place with 88 incidents 21%) and struck

IMCA publishes security measures and emergency response guidance

The threat to maritime security from piracy, terrorism, criminal acts, and hostage and kidnapping threats continues to pose challenges to ships’ owners, masters and crew members, and has resulted in the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) (Booth S16 at OTC) publishing ‘Security Measures and Emergency Response Guidance’ (IMCA SEL 037, IMCA M 226). “Safety is of paramount importance, and our document aims to provide guidance to masters, company and ship security officers and other crew members and staff, on security measures and emergencies onboard vessels when underway, at anchor or alongside in their own or another country, and also for

IMCA publishes safety rep handbook

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published a new tool for the industry – the ‘Safety Committee Representative’s Handbook’ (IMCA SEL 035), for use by safety committees on board vessels undertaking marine operations, recognised by IMCA as an excellent way of promoting and managing safety issues. “To do their job properly on these committees, members need to understand their roles and responsibilities, and this is just what the new publication sets out,” explains Jane Bugler, IMCA’s technical Director. Mark Bosson, HSE Manager of Technip Marine Operations Services, and Chairman of IMCA’s Safety Environment & Legislation (SEL) Core Committee adds:”It

Understanding biodegradable lubricants

A question often heard in offshore and marine circles is”What is a green oil?” That leads on to”What is an oil spill?” Following a successful workshop on the subject at the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Annual Seminar in 2012, a new publication ‘Understanding Biodegradable Lubricants: An Introduction to ‘Green’ Oil in Hydraulic Systems Offshore’ (IMCA R 019) is now available to help answer these questions, and alleviate some of the confusion. “A number of contributors have helped to compile our new publication,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”It is not intended to be wholly definitive and the reader will