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Year: 2014

Safety and environment and diving statistics produced by IMCA

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has produced two important sets of statistics – ‘Safety and environment statistics for IMCA members: Report for the period 1 January-31 December 2013‘ and ‘World-wide diving personnel statistics for IMCA members: Statistics for 2012‘. “Safety and environment statistics are a useful insight into the performance of a company and industry sector in the areas of health, safety and environment,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”And our diving statistic aim to give a global snapshot of how many people are active in the industry on three specific dates in the year.” “The purpose of our

Busy autumn lies ahead for IMCA experts

September sees the start of the Autumn conference season, and a busy time lies ahead for experts from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), who will be speaking at events in the UK, Singapore, China and The Philippines. Dynamic positioning (DP) specialists Ian Giddings and Chris Baldwin, both Technical Advisers at the association will be speaking at Kongsberg Maritime’s Simulator User Conferences; Nick Hough, also a Technical Adviser, will be speaking and chairing a session at Oceanology International China 2014; and Technical Director, Jane Bugler, will be delivering a keynote address at China’s Diving, Salvage & Offshore Summit-2014; and Peter

Bribery and corruption – a pressing issue around the world

Bribery and corruption is a growing concern for businesses in all sectors and jurisdictions. Corruption is a problem not only from an ethical and competition-distorting perspective, but also because of the substantial risk it creates to the reputation of affected businesses and the potential financial implications of a conviction, or even just the adverse publicity of an allegation or investigation. The increase in enforcement of national and international bribery and corruption legislation means businesses must demonstrate compliance. Due to its complexities, this can be a challenging area for businesses to address. Indeed, they need to stay ahead of developments in

IMCA competence workshop being held in Singapore

A competent workforce is a productive one, operating with fewer risks, meaning shorter downtimes and fewer injuries – all steps towards that much sought after industry ‘holy grail’ of zero incidents. Effective competence schemes established by companies of all sizes ensure confidence in the offshore industry, and that all appointed to safety-critical positions can carry out their jobs in an effective manner. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) first introduced a competence assurance and assessment framework in 1999, and IMCA sees encouraging evidence of an ever-increasing number of competence schemes, using that regularly revised framework, being introduced by companies around

Keynotes will get IMCA's annual seminar off to a flying start

Keynote addresses on both days at this year’s International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Annual Seminar (London, 19-20 November 2014) will ensure both days get off to a flying and highly relevant start. Following an introduction and welcome by Pascal Grosjean of Technip, Chairman of IMCA’s Europe & Africa Section keynote addresses on the conference theme ‘Where next for the offshore marine industry?’ will be delivered by IMCA’s President Massimo Fontolan, Vice President Commercial, North Atlantic and Arcticof Saipem; Dave Turner, Vice President Subsea Upstream Production Operations, BP; and Judith Hackittt CBE, Chair of the UK Health and Safety Executive. Day

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

IMCA publishes revised Guidance on the Transfer of Personnel to/from Offshore Vessels and Structures

One of the activities specific to offshore operations is the transfer of personnel between vessels and other offshore structures. Such transfers can include movements of personnel at crew change and shift change from vessel to vessel and also between vessels, offshore structures (including offshore wind turbines), barges and crew boats as well as to and from the quayside. Safety of transfer is of paramount importance. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has revised its ‘Guidance on the transfer of personnel to and from offshore vessels and structures’ (IMCA SEL 025 Rev. 1 / IMCA M 202 Rev. 1) to include

Making Waves #71 – June 2014

Making Waves 71 (PDF)Highlights from issue 71 of Making Waves Include:A focus on the ROV personnel shortages – and how our initiatives are making a differenceWorking at height: a killer that we need to get under controlTips on avoiding a social media disasterLots more information and insight from the people who matter on the topics that matterYou will see in this issue that Making Waves has taken a step forward to enhance an already popular read. There are more pages, a new design and a new approach to the editorial to ensure that the magazine is more international, inclusive, relevant

Video short: IMCA Chief Executive reveals changes already underway

Since announcing objectives to deliver our new Vision & Strategy at the start of the year, plenty of hard work has been going on behind the scenes at IMCA. In this video short IMCA’s Chief Executive, Chris Charman, gives a brief update of just a few of the exciting developments already underway. In the first piece of its kind, he reveals updates to our quarterly newsletter Making Waves, planned changes to the membership structure in 2015 to better reflect the demographics of the members and the intention of appointing overseas ambassadors to represent IMCA. Further updates will be available in

Industrial strategy – progress update on UK government and industry partnership

The UK government has published the industrial strategy progress report, which highlights the achievements, latest activities and future priorities of the industrial strategy. The progress report provides a timely update on the eleven sectors: Aerospace Agricultural Technologies Automotive Construction Information Economy International Education Life Sciences Nuclear Offshore Wind Oil and Gas Professional and Business Services As well as an update on the five cross cutting themes: Sector Partnerships: Providing support for all sectors to help increase global competitiveness, support innovation and maximise export potential. Technologies: Supporting the development and commercialisation of technologies where theUKhas the research expertise and business capability

IMCA's Asia-Pacific meeting in Perth, Australia

A busy day lies ahead for members of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) on Thursday 29 May when the Association holds its Asia-Pacific Section meeting in Perth, Australia. The open meeting for IMCA members, corresponding members and guests follows a closed early morning voting member meeting. From 10.00 the open meeting will consider competition law policy; provide a worldwide update on all IMCA divisions – Competence and Training; Safety, Environment and Legislation (SEL); Diving; Marine; Offshore Survey; and Remote Systems & ROV; and then encompass an international regulatory update; and discuss recent safety-related incidents before the first of a

IMCA addressing personnel shortages at forthcoming Macaé meeting

The ways in which different sections of the offshore industry are approaching the pressing need of meeting the challenges of personnel shortages; coupled with identification of the attractive career development opportunities and frameworks offered to those recruited in – order to retain and develop them – will come under the conference spotlight in Macae, Brazil next month. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is holding a seminar ‘Addressing personnel shortages in South America’ (Teatro Sesi Macae Auditorum, Wednesday 4 June) aimed at interested offshore industry bodies, operators, contractors, academic institutions, training providers and personnel agencies working across South America’. The

IMCA video publications now available online

IMCA has produced a wide range of video publications, on subjects such as Competence Assurance, Piracy, Working at Height and Neurological Assessment of Divers. IMCA has now made these video publications available to view online to members and non-members alike. The videos can be found under their respective divisions: Competence and Training Safety, Environment & Legislation Diving The videos have also been made available on Youtube and can be found at https://www.youtube.com/user/IMCAint Copies of videos can still be purchased in DVD format from the publications team.

London-based Anti-Bribery and Corruption Seminar being held by IMCA

Bribery and corruption is a growing concern for businesses in all sectors and jurisdictions. Corruption is a problem not only from an ethical and competition-distorting perspective, but also because of the risk it creates to the reputation of affected businesses and the potential financial implications of a conviction. “The increase in enforcement of national and international bribery and corruption legislation means businesses must demonstrate compliance,” explains Chris Charman, Chief Executive of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA).”Due to its complexities, this can be a challenging area for businesses to address. Indeed, they need to stay ahead of developments in this

Key IMCA diving guidance expanded and refreshed

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,

IMCA publishes guidance on hyperbaric reception facilities

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

Call for papers open for IMCA's London-based annual seminar

The call for papers for the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) 19th Annual Seminar that this year will be held in London (19-20 November), is currently open with a closing deadline of 23 April 2014. “Our ‘Where next for the offshore marine industry?’ theme for this year’s event follows on from the theme of the 2013 Annual Seminar held in Singapore ‘Addressing the Challenges of New Frontiers’,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler. “‘Where next?’ was a question that a lot of people were asking at that highly successful event, which attracted well over 480 delegates from 32 countries. It

Jane Bugler to speak at Canadian Underwater Conference

Jane Bugler, Technical Director of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) will be speaking on ‘IMCA Offshore – Changes to Guidance’ at the 2014 Canadian Underwater Conference and Exhibition with its theme ‘Man and Machine Underwater’, being held in Toronto on 6-8 April 2014. “I will be covering our most recent Diving Division guidance documents, all of them designed to aid risk management and to ensure maximum efficiency and levels of safety,” she explains.”First on the agenda will be hyperbaric evacuation. “Although IMCA D 024 – ‘DESIGN (Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note) for saturation (bell) diving systems’ contained a

Making Waves #70 – March 2014

Making Waves 70 (PDF)Highlights from issue 70 of Making Waves Include:IMCA’s Vision & Strategy and the targets set for this yearOur Competence and Training action plan for 2014Updates to key IMCA publicationsImportant diving safety alertsSpotlight On Ashutosh Chaudhary of Marine Engineering Diving Services

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