eCMID and eMISW inspections updated by IMCA

Published on 13 July 2022

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published new versions of its eCMID and eMISW vessel inspection templates.

Over 1,400 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. Featuring similar questions but tailored to each use case, they cover hybrid battery systems for dynamically positioned (DP) vessels and battery propulsion systems for non-DP vessels.

These supplements will be monitored as this is an ever-changing technology, feedback from Accredited Vessel Inspectors (AVIs) is welcome as we move forward with the evolution of hybrid systems and the emergence of alternative fuels within the offshore industry. Mark Ford, IMCA’s Marine & Quality Manager said:

“Hybrid battery technology is always evolving with new management and monitoring technology being introduced. IMCA’s eCMID Committee will ensure that these eCMID templates remain current and provide good value to the inspection”.

Review copies of the new versions are available for downloading via www.ecmid.com. These are to help users prepare for an inspection, or for evaluation purposes, but are not valid for uploading to the eCMID database.

Feedback, as ever, is welcome, with forms for this purpose available on the eCMID website contact page at www.ecmid.com/contact

IMCA Contact

Mark Ford
Marine & Quality Manager
Contact

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Updated requirements for vessel data

In March this year, IMCA launched the new eCMID Analytics Hub for vessel inspection data (access via https://imca.me/ecmidanalytics for registered users). The Hub provides real-time reports on safety findings from current inspection reports, enabling wider trends and common risks to be identified and acted upon by vessel operators, inspectors and through IMCA’s committees and guidance documentation.

With the release of the latest inspection templates, new requirements have been added for key elements of vessel data (known as ‘Vessel Particulars’ within the documents) on the format of data entered in respect of elements including vessel dimensions, equipment, and capabilities. These changes will enable both a more granular analysis in future reports and a[JP1]  more accurate assessment of the registered fleet to be undertaken. A simple interface has been developed to help vessel operators and inspectors migrate from previous free-text data to the new formats.

Vessel operators are strongly encouraged to update (or complete, if not already done) their vessel particulars records prior to inspections taken place. This means that less time needs to be spent during the inspection obtaining and entering information, freeing up the inspector to focus on safety-critical aspects of their reports.

Mark Ford said:

“I’m really excited about the Analytics Hub for all eCMID data. This will assist not only inspectors but vessel operators and clients in being able to identify the common inspection findings on vessels and even a particular vessel type. IMCA will also be making full use of this data in our annual eCMID findings reports”.

About the eCMID System

The IMCA 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.

Two inspection templates are currently available within the system:

• eCMID – the Common Marine Inspection Document (IMCA M 149) is designed for inspecting any type of vessel of 500grt and more and/or 24m or more in length – those covered by ISM, ISPS and other relevant codes
• eMISW – the Common Marine Inspection Document for Small Workboats (IMCA M 189) is designed for smaller vessels, which may not be covered by ISM and other codes, but where a similar assessment of safety management systems on these vessels is beneficial

Inspections are undertaken by AVIs who undergo initial assessment, continuing professional development and five-yearly revalidation processes managed by the IIMS Marine Surveying Academy.

The online system includes a vessel and report database, with data controlled by vessel operators, a cross-platform inspection app, and the Analytics Hub for reporting and analysis of aggregated findings data, to help further improve safety performance across the offshore fleet.

The system is overseen by the IMCA Marine eCMID Committee, which includes representatives of all stakeholders – vessel operators, clients and inspection companies – to ensure a system that is truly ‘for industry, by industry’.

Find out more about the IMCA eCMID System at www.ecmid.com.

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