IMCA South America Regional Meeting

Technical Adviser – Marine

Richard joined IMCA in June 2021 having gained 25 years of experience in the DP related industry.

Richard started his career as a cadet engineer with P&O Containers where he stayed until obtaining his Class 2 Engineering certificate. He then moved into the offshore industry first on seismic survey, followed by pipelayers and then onto DSVs during which time he gained his Class 1 Chief Engineers Certificate.

Richard worked for a number of years at Trinity House Lighthouse Authority and was involved in their new build programme.

Richard came ashore to work for an Aberdeen based DP Consultancy, PML, which was acquired by Noble Denton and then DNV. He spent 13 years as a DP Practitioner producing FMEAs on all types of Dynamically Positioned vessels as well as incident investigations and FMEA analysis on mission critical equipment, specialising in closed bus FMEAs utilising advanced generator protection systems and hybrid battery systems.

Head of Legal & Regulatory Affairs

Margaret is a qualified maritime lawyer and chemical scientist who holds Chartered status with the Royal Society of Chemistry (CChem) and Chartered status with the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH).

Margaret has over 20 years’ experience in shipping. She previously worked for the IMO Secretariat, leading on the development of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code and related regulations on the carriage of hazardous chemicals and noxious and polluting substances, including the HNS Convention.

Her experience also includes working for a member of the International Association of Classification Societies as a senior safety and environmental specialist, and as an expert adviser on several high-profile maritime incidents.

Diving Consultant

Bryan joined the IMCA secretariat as a Technical Adviser – Diving in February 2012 from the UK Health and Safety Executive. At the Executive, Bryan worked as a front-line inspector, initially in the metals and minerals sector and then for more than 12 years as a Diving Specialist Inspector. In the latter role, he was responsible for the inspection of all sectors of the diving industry in Great Britain and for the investigation of accidents, incidents and complaints related to diving at work, both onshore and offshore. In addition, Bryan supervised a number of diving research projects and developed diving industry guidance on behalf of the Executive. He also worked on diving topic assessment of oil and gas company safety cases.

Bryan began his career as a diver in the early eighties. He worked for a variety of diving contractors, most of whom are now IMCA members, in the Middle East, India, North Sea, and West Africa. Over a fifteen year period he took part in a wide range of commercial diving activities.

Bryan’s wealth of experience in the offshore diving industry and as a safety professional makes him a valued member of the IMCA team, where he focuses on the work programme of IMCA’s diving committee.

Diving Manager

Bill Chilton joined IMCA in November 2021 as Technical Adviser – Diving and became Diving Manager in January 2024.

He has 25 years of experience in the commercial diving industry. Prior to joining IMCA Bill worked at the UK Health & Safety Executive for 12 years as a Diving Specialist Inspector regulating the safety of divers working in the offshore energy and other sectors of the diving industry. During his time at the HSE, Bill also worked as a decommissioning specialist when he was seconded for a period to a team specialising in decommissioning.

Prior to his time at the HSE, Bill worked as an air and saturation diver on a wide range of diving projects.  During this period, he also held a variety of topside positions, including project engineer and project manager.

Bill holds a BSc (Hons) in Geography; an MSc in Marine Resource Management; and an MSc in Decommissioning.