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Tag: Marine

Could Your Innovative Solution Feature at IMCA’s DP Conference?

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is inviting companies with new technology or innovations applicable to the offshore energy  industry to apply to take part in their ever-popular Quickfire, Totally Technology Session at the IMCA DP Conference 2023 (Amsterdam, 9-10 May 2023).Companies interested in being considered for a 10-minute presentation ‘against the clock’ slot in the session should send their proposed presentation; an abstract explaining the new (or evolving) technology or innovation (150 words max); and any additional supporting video/photographs/charts to [email protected] by 23:59 hrs GMT on 28 February 2023. Entrants should be companies, not individuals, and should be IMCA

Focus on the ‘Energy Field of the Future’ at Joint Industry Event

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT), and The Hydrographic Society UK and Ireland (THS: UK&I) Scotland Branch are jointly holding their well-respected joint industry seminar on 10 November 2022 in Aberdeen, UK. This year the seminar has a highly topical theme – ‘The Energy Field of the Future’.As Stephen Peet, IMCA’s Technical Director explained: “The energy industry is currently experiencing a period of significant change, with ever increasing focus on sustainability, while marine and underwater technologies continue to advance.“With this scale of change ongoing, what does the field of the future look like, and

IMCA’s Lifting Guidance Now Co-Branded with G+

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA’s) recently reviewed and updated Guidelines for Lifting Operations (IMCA LR 006) has been republished with new dual branding featuring G+, the global offshore wind health and safety organisation. This is the association’s first dual branded publication and ensures wider circulation, acceptance and use of this key document, in the offshore wind industry.Mark Ford, IMCA’s Marine & Quality Manager explained: “LR 006 has safe and efficient operations at its heart and thus attunes with G+ aims. We are delighted to be linked with them in this way, their branding on this important document demonstrates their

IMCA Schemes Designed to Improve DP Safety Levels

Two schemes run by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) – the IMCA DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme and their Key DP Personnel Continuing Professional Development (CPD) App (run with The Nautical Institute) – have a vital role to play in addressing the pressing issue of dynamic positioning (DP) becoming less safe, with human factors widely seen as the overwhelming cause. IMCA Contact Graeme Reid Technical Adviser – Marine Contact [contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"] “We shared the worrying fact about increased numbers of events and incidents due to human factors with delegates at our DP Conference earlier this year, it is

IMCA’s DP Expertise sought from Houston to Singapore

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA’s) expertise is acknowledged and sought all over the world; and its guidance, safety flashes, and dynamic positioning (DP) event reporting is followed by a global audience. Technical Adviser – Marine, Richard Purser’s involvement with two DP conferences within the space of five weeks and some 10,000 miles apart, exemplifies the interest in IMCA’s expertise and what IMCA is able to share on this subject. IMCA Contact Richard Purser Technical Adviser – Marine Contact [contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"] IMCA Contact Graeme Reid Technical Adviser – Marine Contact [contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"] On 11 October, Richard

IMCA Publishes DP System Network Storm Guidance

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published ‘Guidelines for the Management of DP System Network Storms’ (IMCA M 259) to raise awareness of the risks presented by the use of data communication networks on dynamically positioned (DP) vessels, especially when used to connect otherwise redundant components of the DP control system, power system or thrusters. The general effects of so-called ‘network storms’ are to cause disruption of data communication over a network and/or degradation of network controller performance, although the exact symptoms may be unpredictable, inconsistent and may increase over time or appear instantaneously. As IMCA Technical Adviser –

IMCA’s DP Conference Report Available to all

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) held its first two-day DP Conference for some years in May 2022 in Amsterdam and has now made the 34-page conference report available to all. This includes concise summaries of all sessions and presentations along with relevant graphs, charts, and most importantly some of the findings that emerged With attendees from around the world the conference was aimed at those involved in offshore renewable energy and offshore oil and gas DP operations. Engagement was excellent throughout the conference and attendee feedback was extremely positive. This will now become an annual event with the 2023

Renewable Energy Lifting Ops covered in IMCA Guidance

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA’s) ‘Guidelines for lifting operations’ (IMCA LR 006) has been reviewed and updated to ensure that it properly covers all elements of lifting operations in renewable energy sector contracting activities.Mark Ford, IMCA’s Marine & Quality Manager explained: Offshore wind involves an ever-increasing number of our members; and so, our expert work group has thoroughly reviewed IMCA LR 006 and made a number of additions and amendments to ensure it provides an invaluable resource enabling work in the rapidly expanding global market to be undertaken safely and efficiently.” IMCA Contact Mark Ford Marine & Quality Manager

IMCA Seminar spotlights Lifting Tech & Offshore Renewables Lifting

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA’s) Lifting & Rigging Seminar makes a welcome return to the events calendar on 27 October in its traditional venue, the Novotel Amsterdam at Schiphol Airport. The day-long packed programme focuses on the technical side of offshore lifting and on the challenges created in the renewable energy market. As Mark Ford, IMCA’s Marine & Quality Manager explained: “We are delighted to be back to holding a face-to-face event that will be of interest to all involved in any aspect of offshore lifting and rigging in the offshore renewable energy industry.“We have an exciting line-up of

eCMID and eMISW inspections updated by IMCA

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published new versions of its eCMID and eMISW vessel inspection templates. Over 1400 vessels world-wide are currently covered by a live inspection report, providing a safety management system health check for both operators and clients. The inspection templates are reviewed and updated at least annually to reflect technological progress and regulatory developments, plus feedback received from the active community of vessel operators, inspectors, and other stakeholders. New supplements for battery and hybrid propulsion systems Two new optional supplements have been introduced to each template for selection by the inspector for relevant vessel types.

IMCA launches new Analytics Hub for eCMID Vessel Inspection Data

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has launched a new analytics hub within its eCMID System for vessel inspections, available at www.ecmid.com. The system provides real-time reports based on anonymised aggregate data from over 1100 inspections of offshore vessels and workboats undertaken using the latest eCMID and eMISW templates since May 2021 – a number which will only increase, as the system will track use across future versions of the templates. The default report, which can be filtered by date and vessel type, identifies the questions and sections resulting in the highest proportion of findings during inspections. This will allow

Registration Open – IMCA DP Conference

IMCA is hosting a Dynamic Positioning (DP) Conference on 31 May – 1 June 2022 focusing on technical and operational matters relating to DP. This event will be of interest to those involved in both offshore renewable energy and offshore oil & gas operations. We have an exciting line up of speakers and interactive sessions alongside IMCA’s renowned Quickfire Totally Technology Session. This two-day seminar provides an opportunity for IMCA members and industry colleagues to participate in an industry forum where attendees will hear from experts in Dynamic Positioning and have the opportunity to participate in Q&A sessions and workshops

IMCA finalises Guidelines for Walk to Work (W2W) Operations

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has expanded its ‘Guidelines for Walk to Work (W2W) Operations’ (IMCA M254). Originally published in October 2020, the guidelines were produced to help standardise the way in which vessels give personnel safe access to offshore structures, both in the wind and oil & gas industries, and were developed under the direction of IMCA’s Marine Division Management Committee. Vessel owners, wind farm operators and motion compensated gangway manufacturers worked alongside an offshore energy industry focused steering group consisting of representatives from leading manufacturers of motion compensated gangway systems to develop the guidelines. The document was

IMCA reviews its Safety Interface Document for a DP vessel working near an offshore platform to apply to all industry sectors

The International Marine Contractors Association has revised IMCA M 125 Safety Interface Document for a DP vessel working near an offshore platform, as part of a continuous review of IMCA guidelines to ensure their relevance across all energy sectors. The 1997 guidelines were originally developed to assist the interfacing of the DP vessel’s safety management system (SMS) with the SMS of offshore installations and was primarily focused on manned structures in the oil & gas industry. The revision includes a subtle name change to address its application to both manned and unmanned structures: Safety Interface Document for a DP vessel

Call to action for Marine Members

IMCA Marine Members – does your company operate vessels of 5,000 gross tonnage and above? IMCA encourages you to share your vessel fuel consumption data to avoid your vessels being grouped as general cargo vessels Please act and share your fuel consumption data with us by completing the relevant spreadsheets – 1 per vessel – to enable us to calculate data to share with the IMO. All the background details and information you need are available on our website and explained in a video message. You will also find supporting notes, slides, information note to help you complete this exercise

IMCA Marine Technical Expertise Enhanced

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is pleased to announce that Richard Purser has joined the team as Technical Adviser – Marine. Richard Purser brings 25 years’ experience in the marine engineering industry as Chief Engineer in the operation and maintenance of modern Dynamically Positioned (DP) vessels, power plants, auxiliary equipment, and DP systems. Richard worked for DNV as Senior Principal Marine Engineer for a number of years and has a wealth of DP and Marine Engineering knowledge which will enhance IMCA’s technical expertise. IMCA Contact Mark Ford Marine & Quality Manager Contact [contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"] Mark Ford, IMCA’s Technical

Ensuring eCMID and eMISW Inspection Integrity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA)’s Marine eCMID Committee considered the potential for remote vessel inspections at its December 2020 meeting, in light of ongoing restrictions at both national and company level due to COVID-19 that can limit both vessel access and the movement of accredited vessel inspectors (AVIs). The Committee determined that remote inspections using the eCMID/eMISW inspection templates would not be appropriate.  Some of the issues identified include: Connectivity and bandwidth issuesTime required of vessel crew and inspectors, and the quantity and complexity of information that would need to be transmitted and reviewedThe practical format of the inspection

IMCA Publishes “Guidelines for Walk to Work Operations”

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published a new document ‘Guidelines for Walk to Work (W2W) Operations’ (IMCA M254) under the direction of IMCA’s Marine Division Management Committee. The Marine Renewable Energy Committee formed a workgroup consisting of vessel owners, wind farm operators and motion compensated gangway manufacturers and worked alongside an oil & gas focused industry steering group consisting of representatives from leading manufacturers of motion compensated gangway systems. The W2W guidance has been produced to help standardise the way in which vessels are intended to give personnel safe access to offshore structures both in the wind and

IMCA Publishes a New Code of Practice for Offshore Pipeline and Umbilical Installation Systems

In April 2019 the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA’s) Marine Division Management Committee set up a workgroup to focus on developing a code of practice for offshore pipelines and umbilical installation systems. Bringing together world-leading pipelaying contractors, Allseas, Subsea 7, McDermott, Saipem and TechnipFMC, the workgroup came together to share knowledge and best practice in order to establish a standard for the industry. This has resulted in the publication of the new ‘Code of Practice for Offshore Pipeline and Umbilical Installation Systems’ (IMCA M 253). The new Code of Practice includes all equipment required to lay the product safely and

IMCA launches progressive web app for eCMID

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) announces the launch of its Progressive Web App (PWA) for its Common Marine Inspection Document system. IMCA’s eCMID system provides the marine and offshore industry with standardised formats for vessel inspection. It offers a safety management system (SMS) ‘health check’ and can help improve the quality and consistency of inspections, as well as reducing the frequency of inspections on individual vessels through the adoption of a commonly recognised inspection process. This new eCMID inspection app has been through a rigorous testing process with a group of accredited vessel inspectors (AVIs). The app mirrors the

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