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IMCA to withdraw classic Windows eCMID Application

Published on 29 October 2020

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) eCMID system provides the marine and offshore industry with standardised formats for vessel inspection. Since its inception it has consistently evolved enabling Accredited Vessel Inspectors (AVIs) to use current devices to ensure a user-friendly effective solution. In July 2020 IMCA launched a new, cross-platform eCMID Inspection App that has proved so successful that its predecessor, the classic Windows application, will be withdrawn at the end of 2020.

The app, available via any modern browser, mirrors the features of the existing Windows application and allows AVIs to complete and submit inspection reports electronically while on site. The system includes the eCMID inspection template and the eMISW template for smaller workboats. Since its release, over 50% of vessel inspections have been carried out using the new app.

The app 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

On reviewing the adoption of the app, IMCA’s Marine eCMID Committee agreed that the classic Windows application will be withdrawn at the end of 2020, and have drawn up an appropriate timeline:

  • October 2020 – Downloading of the classic application will be disabled, and an in-app notification will be shown to existing users
  • 1 January 2021 – Download of new inspection applications will no longer be possible in the classic application
  • 28 February 2021 – Deadline for uploading completed inspection reports using the classic application

Mark Ford, Technical Director at IMCA stated:

“Concentrating our focus on the app will ensure we can fund new developments to continue to improve the system for all users. Our development roadmap includes further additions and improvements in the months and years ahead as we work to continually improve user experience and to improve reporting and analysis.

“Later this year, the ‘manage vessel’ pages in the database website will be updated to improve the experience for vessel operators, and of all those searching for reports via the ‘vessel access’ pages. Preparations are also well advanced to add the IMCA diving equipment systems inspection guidance notes (DESIGN) to the eCMID system, with new inspector accreditation types in development.”

Adam Hugo, IMCA’s IT Services & Solutions Specialist commented:

“We strongly encourage all users to plan their move to the new eCMID Inspection App as soon as possible. We have created extensive user guides which are available from our website at www.imcaecmid.com/guides, and ongoing support is available from the eCMID Helpdesk at ecmid@legacy.imca-int.com

“The app has been very well received, with users welcoming the simplified navigation and ease of use, as well as the ability to use Mac, iOS and Android devices for the first time. Our thanks go to those who have helped identify minor issues, which have been resolved promptly by our developers.”

IMCA will keep users informed both by email and on the dedicated eCMID website imcaecmid.com and via the eCMID AVI group on LinkedIn (operated by the IIMS Marine Surveying Academy).

The app is available via any browser at imcacmid.com/inspect