Updates to IMCA’s eCMID and eMISW Inspection System

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) dedicated eCMID website at www.ecmid.com provides the marine and offshore industry with a wealth of information on what the eCMID and eMISW vessel inspection reports are, why they benefit the industry, how to use the database and inspection app, along with news on updates affecting the system. Over 1,500 vessels worldwide are currently covered by a live inspection report providing a safety management system health check for both operators and clients.

The latest additions to the website embrace a new quality assurance process alongside updates to IMCA M 167 – Guidance on the IMCA eCMID System; updates to eCMID and eMISW inspection templates; and changes to upload fees for 2023.

New eCMID quality assurance process and M 167 update

A new quality assurance (QA) review system has been introduced to review samples of uploaded vessel inspection reports on an ongoing basis; this is covered in the updated IMCA M 167 which also reflects the extensive changes to the system’s IT platform in recent years.

The new QA system is being undertaken independently by the IMCA secretariat using anonymised versions of uploaded reports, with a standardised assessment template ensuring a consistent approach to the reviews.

As Mark Ford, IMCA’s Marine & Quality Manager explained:

“We aim to provide generalised feedback to eCMID Accredited Vessel Inspectors (AVIs) in a range of ways, primarily through the AVI training process and regular newsletters.

“Early reviews have already proved useful in identifying improvements to the inspection templates and the inspection app, such as improved guidance notes to clarify the intention of certain questions, and fine tuning of the app layout and instructions which will be added to the development roadmap. Not only is the new QA system publicised on our dedicated eCMID website but also via the IMCA LinkedIn page which has just topped 30,000 followers”.