IMO to consider the proposed revised text for the IMO Diving Code

IMCA will field a delegation of diving experts at the upcoming IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 8) to provide technical support during IMO’s consideration of the revision of the Code of Safety for Diving Systems and the Guidelines and Specifications for Hyperbaric Evacuation Systems which has been developed by correspondence, led by the Government of the Bahamas, and set out in document SSE8/14.

IMCA’s Core Diving Industry Workgroup (CDIW) has been providing technical input to IMO Member States during the 18-month revision process which involves restructuring the existing Code, in line with the Goal-Based Standard (GBS) principles of based on three main aspects:

1. addressing issues related to ships or structures conducting diving operations;
2. addressing diving systems, including abandon and evacuation; and
3. developing additional guidance, as needed.

The aim of the work includes ensuring that the draft revised diving code will provide equivalents to SOLAS to fill in any regulatory gaps which are identified.

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