IMCA’s DP Competence Assurance in the Spotlight in Rio

Published on 11 March 2020

Vessel and crew competence assurance were firmly in the spotlight at the South America Regional Meeting of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) in Rio de Janeiro which saw a record attendance of IMCA members and guests on 5 March.

Following a global update on IMCA activity by Captain Andy Goldsmith, Technical Adviser – Marine, the attention turned to competence assurance, when Gisele Mangifeste, Marine Superintendent, Total, spoke on ‘Client requirements for dynamically positioned (DP) vessel and crew competence assurance’.

The second guest presentation of the day on ‘IMCA assurance processes eCMID and eMISW’ was given by Alex Castro, Senior Consultant, LLA Marine. The presentations were followed by an open and interactive discussion between all attendees.

Reflecting on a busy week, Andy Goldsmith explained:
“Vessel and crew competence assurance were the main focus of meetings we held in Rio last week. We were eager to reassure clients that our vessel owning/operating members follow IMCA guidance, which means that both vessels, and crews, meet industry good practice requirements.

We took maximum advantage of our time in Rio by also holding a productive meeting with the Brazilian Navy, again on DP vessel assurance. Earlier in the week John Chatten of Fugro, and Chairman of IMCA’s South America Region and I presented at Global Offshore Brazil on ‘IMCA driving collaboration offshore Brazil'”.

Two presentations were given at the meeting with the Brazilian Navy, the first on ‘How an IMCA member currently provides assurance for safe and efficient DP operations (competence assurance schemes(s) and vessel inspection CMID)’, followed by Petrobras speaking about their DP zero incident programme.