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Year: 2019

IMCA’s Technical Director Awarded an IIMS Blue Water Award

Mark Ford , Technical Director of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) was caught by surprise when he was recently awarded an IIMS (International Institute of Marine Surveying) Blue Water Award at the IIMS London 2019 Conference Dinner held at 10/11 Carlton House Terrace in central London Mike Schwarz, CEO of IIMS quotes from his speech on the night: “…….Talking about having good people around us, I am also reminded that we have some brilliant partners who we work with and they with us. One of our key partners who we have developed a solid relationship with going back five

IMCA Set to Provide Assurance for DP Operations at 9th DP Asia Conference

Providing assurance for DP operations lies at the heart of the presentation being given by Captain Andy Goldsmith, Technical Adviser – Marine, the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) at the 9th Dynamic Positioning Asia 2019 conference and exhibition in Singapore 2-4 July.  Speaking in a session devoted to ‘Competency of DP Personnel and Practitioners’ on 3 July he will talk about three key IMCA initiatives – the recently launched DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme; assurance of process by means of IMCA’s ‘Guidance for Developing and Conducting DP Annual Trials Programmes‘ (IMCA M 190), looking particularly at revisions relevant to remote and

IMCA to Unveil eCMID Updates at AVI London-Based Seminar

There are over 450 Accredited Vessel Inspectors (AVIs) for the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) eCMID vessel inspection scheme around the world. This week sees the AVIs’ One Day Seminar being held in London (Regent’s University, 19 June). Three key members of the IMCA secretariat will be among the speakers at the seminar. Mark Ford, Technical Director and Adam Hugo, IT Services & Solutions Specialist will whet delegates’ appetites with news of developments planned for eCMID; and Graeme Reid, Technical Adviser – Marine will present IMCA’s DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme, launched on 1 May. This is a scheme which has

IMCA Warns Against Offline Use of eCMID System

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has issued a notice setting out the benefits of eCMID, its online vessel inspection system, and warning users that offline use is no longer permitted. Since 1 January 2018, IMCA has only recognised formal inspection reports conducted using its eCMID application and uploaded into the database website (www.imcaecmid.com). Any eCMID reports that are not uploaded to the database are not considered to be authorised vessel inspection reports. IMCA’s Technical Director, Mark Ford sets the scene, and provides a summary of the key benefits of the online eCMID system over the traditional offline approach: “The

IMCA to Stage Marine Renewable Energy Seminar

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is to hold a Marine Renewable Energy Seminar on 25 September in Amsterdam (Novotel Schiphol Airport). With the theme ‘Working together for safe and efficient operations’ this day-long seminar on the topic reflects the increasing involvement of IMCA members with the rapidly expanding global marine renewables sector.   Free to attend for IMCA members plus invited guests the one-day seminar will consider IMCA global initiatives and feature three sessions – ‘Achieving harmonisation of training and certification’; ‘Openness is the key to safe and efficient operations’; and ‘Future trends in the marine renewable energy sector’.

IMCA to Stage Lifting & Rigging Technical Forum

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is to hold a Lifting & Rigging Technical Forum on 24 September in Amsterdam (Novotel Schiphol Airport) with the theme ‘Offshore Lifting: Training, Certification, Competency’.   This one-day seminar devised by IMCA in conjunction with TechnipFMC provides an opportunity for IMCA members to participate in an industry forum considering both the human and technical aspects of crane operations in an offshore environment.   Free to attend for IMCA members plus invited guests this one-day seminar will consider current industry needs in terms of training, certification and competency requirements. Attendees will have the opportunity of

IMCA to Stage Lifting & Rigging Technical Forum

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is to hold a Lifting & Rigging Technical Forum on 24 September in Amsterdam (Novotel Schiphol Airport) with the theme ‘Offshore Lifting: Training, Certification, Competency’.   This one-day seminar devised by IMCA in conjunction with TechnipFMC provides an opportunity for IMCA members to participate in an industry forum considering both the human and technical aspects of crane operations in an offshore environment.   Free to attend for IMCA members plus invited guests this one-day seminar will consider current industry needs in terms of training, certification and competency requirements. Attendees will have the opportunity of

Application Process Now Open for IMCA's DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme

The application process for the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme opens today (1 May 2019). The launch sees additional support documentation added to the IMCA website and the first dates announced for examinations with further dates to follow. Two categories of practitioners are eligible for accreditation: A DP Trials and Assurance Practitioner, i.e. an individual actively involved in producing, witnessing and assessing the results of DP Failure Modes and Effects Analysis proving trials and DP annual trial programmes; and A company DP Authority, i.e. the responsible individual for a vessel operator or end charterer for managing

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

Countdown underway for Start of IMCA's DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme

The application process for the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme will open on 1 May. In preparation, IMCA has created a dedicated page on the IMCA website providing information on the scheme and the steps that those seeking accreditation need to undertake. “The aims of the scheme are to improve the consistency and conduct of DP trials throughout our industry; and to set a recognised level of knowledge for DP practitioners responsible for developing, witnessing and reporting of DP trials, and those responsible for the management of DP assurance processes,” explained Captain Andy Goldsmith, IMCA’s Technical

IMCA Appoints Technical Director

Mark Ford, Technical Manager of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), has been promoted to Technical Director of the global organisation. Mark Ford, IMCA’s new Technical Director “Mark has been with IMCA for the last seven years and knows the Association perhaps better than anybody,” explained IMCA’s CEO, Allen Leatt. “I know therefore that he will do a great job for us in driving our technical programme, which continues to grow in scope and detail. Mark Ford joined the IMCA Secretariat in 2012 from Charles Taylor Consulting, where he worked as a senior surveyor and divisional director in the safety

Focus on Remote Surveillance at Rio de Janeiro Regional Meeting

Focus on remote surveillance and remote data management, services and access Speakers from IMCA, Fugro, Kongsberg and TechnipFMC IMCA South America regional meeting October 2018 The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is to hold its South America Regional meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday 14 March. With its theme ‘Remote Surveillance in Support of Offshore Operations’ this will be an opportunity for IMCA members and their guests to receive an update on the Association’s activities, and to hear highly relevant presentations from three IMCA member companies. Chaired by John Chatten, IMCA’s South America Committee Chairman, the meeting will include

IMCA Publishes Guidelines on the Shared Use of ROV Sensors

Potential to improve efficiency and reduce costs The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) has published ‘Guidelines for the Shared Use of Sensors for ROV and Survey Purposes‘ (IMCA S 025 / R 022), which is available on the Association’s website. The document provides technical guidance and an overview of some of the factors to consider when sharing ROV-mounted positioning, surveying and imaging sensors that may be used for more than one specific purpose. While the sharing of sensors may be desirable to improve efficiency and reduce costs, there are certain technical factors that need to be managed in order to

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

Making Waves 88 – January 2019

In our latest edition of Making Waves, we feature the IMCA Annual Seminar held in November 2018. This covers the opening day and the focus on strategies being developed to cope with the downturn, and new ways of oil companies and contractors working together. It also includes the two Technical Sessions, on Marine and Diving, held on the second day, and the discussions on matters such as professional development, energy efficiency initiatives, diving instruments and health, fitness and medical issues.Other highlights in issue 88 include:Corporate Social ResponsibilityCompetence e-PortfolioeCMID 2018DP Practitioner Accreditation SchemeDiving Supervisor Annual Update ProgrammeEthics and Compliance Programme

IMCA to Unveil 2018 Dynamic Positioning Stats and Practitioner Accreditation Scheme

Highest number of reports on DP Station Keeping events since Reporting Scheme began Date for DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme announced The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Captain Andy Goldsmith, Technical Adviser – Marine, will reveal the findings of the 2018 IMCA DP Station Keeping Reporting Scheme, and details of its DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme at the European Dynamic Positioning Conference today (5 February) in London. Latest results from the DP Station Keeping Reporting Scheme In 2018, IMCA received the highest number of reports on DP Station Keeping events since the scheme began in 1990. Compared with 2017, there was a

IMCA Seminar on the Use of the Competence e-Portfolio

• Understanding the advantages of IMCA’s competence e-portfolio • How the e-portfolio works in practice • Seminar – 5 February 2019, Aberdeen The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has developed a competence e-portfolio for contractors to assess the skills and experience of freelance personnel in a more standardised way. The seminar, ‘Re-establishing the vital role of competence and training’ on 5 February in Aberdeen, is designed to give delegates a good understanding of the advantages of IMCA’s competence e-portfolio. Nick Hough, IMCA Technical Adviser, said: “Contractors need to clearly evidence their capabilities. A CV is not always a satisfactory tool

IMCA Issues Guidance to Assist Analysis and Testing of DP Systems

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published ‘Guidance to Identify DP System Components and their Failure Modes‘ (IMCA M 247). The new document complements the Association’s existing guidance on Dynamic Positioning (DP). Captain Andy Goldsmith, IMCA’s Marine Technical Adviser, said: “Unexpected events that jeopardise station keeping integrity are regularly reported via the IMCA DP Station Keeping Report Scheme. This new IMCA guidance document is intended to assist in minimising such events and provide guidance for those involved in the analysis and testing of DP systems.” IMCA M 247 identifies the different components of a DP system and provides guidance

IMCA Safety Statistics – A New Look for the New Year

IMCA contractor members to take part in annual safety survey The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is introducing a new web-based method for collecting safety statistics from its contractor members. This will result in simpler, more timely reporting, and the ability to easily benchmark performance. IMCA began collecting safety data over 20-years ago, and the statistics show that reported injury rates are just one tenth the level reported in 1997. The traditional spreadsheet has now been replaced with a web-based user-friendly dashboard. This will enable members to submit data and to compare their performance with that of other similar-sized companies

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