After more than two years IMCA’s diving experts finalise work on producing a revised text for the IMO Diving Code

After more than two years, IMCA’s Core Diving Industry Workgroup (CDIW) has finalised work on the revision of the IMO Diving Code and produced an accompanying guidance document to supplement the text of the new Code. These documents have been submitted to the upcoming 9^th session of IMO’s of Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 9) which is scheduled to meet in February 2023, under the auspices of the Bahamas who had led the work and with whom IMCA has collaborated closely.

IMCA’s diving experts have been providing technical input to IMO Member States throughout the revision process which has involved restructuring the existing Code, in line with IMO’s Goal-Based Standard (GBS) principles 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 have been identified.

If accepted by the SSE Sub-Committee the text will then be submitted to the 107^th session of the Maritime Safety Committee for approval and subsequent implementation by IMO Member States.

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