CEO Update – December 2020
Welcome to the December edition of Making Waves, rounding off what has been tumultuous year for us all. Despite this, I am pleased to report plenty of successes and progress in 2020:
We maintained full business continuity during all COVID lockdowns, and in fact the Secretariat has been working fully remotely since 13 March. The IT systems have worked very well and there has been no interruption in service to our Members. Our committee work has continued as planned, the document reviews and developments as planned, and our seminars and regional events have all taken place in the virtual format.
IMCA News
IMCA Fully Supports Seafarers
Under the hashtag #SeafarersDeliveringChristmas, the maritime industry has come together to develop a range of initiatives to help show both gratitude and thanks to all the seafarers who have maintained the movement of global trade throughout this turbulent year.
IMCA is supporting the Seafarers Delivering Christmas campaign, highlighting both the ongoing crew change crisis created by the pandemic and critical work of seafarers and offshore workers in keeping economies running.
Offshore Industry Group Welcomes IMO Endorsement of Industry-Developed Framework of Protocols for Crew Change and Travel
The Offshore Industry Group comprising IADC, IAGC, IMCA, IOGP, ISOA and the Workboat Association (details below) welcomes the endorsement by the IMO Member States of the Framework of Protocols developed by the wider Shipping Industry to facilitate safe crew change and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) met virtually in November and approved a circular thereby giving government-level recognition to the industry-developed protocols.
The Industry Group recognises the initiative the IMO Member States have shown and thanks them for their support.
IMCA and ADCI Work Together to Achieve US Coast Guard Recognition to Improve Diver Safety
The United States Coast Guard issued a Policy Letter regarding Commercial Diving Operations and Equivalent Levels of Safety in October which applies to all USCG regulated vessels operating anywhere in the world. The Policy is not only set to improve US diving safety, but also bears testament to the combined efforts of ADCI and IMCA who have worked closely together for many years.
IMCA Supports International Anti-Corruption Day – 9 December 2020
IMCA recognises and supports the United Nations (UN) International Anti-Corruption Day which this year fell on 9 December.
Reflections on the 5th Anniversary of the Paris Agreement
Nadine Robinson, IMCA’s Technical Adviser on Environmental Sustainability shares a podcast to recognise the 5th anniversary of the historic Paris Agreement.
Developing a Code of Practice for Offshore Pipeline and Umbilical Installation Systems
IMCA talks to Raymond Vink, Chair of the Pipelay Joint Industry Project, about the development of new guidance for the marine contracting industry created by world-leading pipelaying contractors.
Fuel Consumption Data Collection
In support of IMCA and the Russian Federation’s joint submission to the IMO (MEPC 74/6) proposing a suitable metric for assessing the Carbon Intensity of the offshore sector, the Marine Policy & Regulatory Affairs Committee (MPRA) has developed a spreadsheet for the collection of fuel consumption data.
An Information Note published in November invites all Members to submit the requested data via a spreadsheet to IMCA so that it may be compiled and used to lobby the IMO for a sensible approach for the treatment of the offshore sector. Members can be assured that all data submitted will be treated anonymously.
Read the information note and submit your data
IMCA’s Diving Supervisors’ CPD to be Mandatory from 2021
IMCA’s Diving Supervisors’ Continuing professional development scheme, launched in Q1 2020 will be mandatory from 2021. We urge IMCA Diving Supervisors to register now if they have not already done so.
Safety
Coming in January – Annual Safety Statistics Submission
IMCA Contractor Members should note that submission for 2020 Safety Statistics will open in early January 2021. As in recent years a web-based portal will be the vehicle for IMCA Contractor members to submit their safety statistics online. Full details of the timeline and submissions process will be published in January.
To view current safety statistics visit legacy.imca-int.com/data/safety/
If you have any questions, please contact Nick Hough, IMCA Technical Adviser.
Publications
Latest Publications
Check out the latest IMCA publications on our website. You can download digital publications, read the latest Information Notes, Safety Flashes and Alerts or order logbooks.
Technical Updates
Guidelines for Walk to Work Operations
The Marine Renewable Energy Committee formed a workgroup consisting of vessel owners, wind farm operators and motion compensated gangway manufacturers and worked alongside an oil & gas focused industry steering group consisting of representatives from leading manufacturers of motion compensated gangway systems to produce guidelines to help standardise the way in which vessels are intended to give personnel safe access to offshore structures both in the wind and oil & gas industries.
Events
IMCA Events Round-Up
During November and December we ran a series of successful webinars, connecting with our members on a range of topical issues through five regional webinars and one technical webinar.
Recordings and presentations from each webinar are available on the events section of our website.
Keeping Our Members Up to Date
IMCA Digest
IMCA’s Digest is an online collation of all of IMCA’s output. Here you can find a handy list of all IMCA output – publications, information notes, minutes, news updates, events information and more – to help you catch up, or to identify the issues we’ve been working on that are the most important to you. You can browse the latest output, or filter for any specific period to make sure you keep in touch with IMCA’s activities.
Updated IMCA Website – Widening Member Access
We recently launched our upgraded website with the aim of widening access to our materials across Member’s organisations by changing from company login details to individual login details bringing a range of new benefits to our members.
Latest Updates on IMCA Committees
We operate through a committee structure which addresses many different areas of technical expertise. We have more than thirty committees and workgroups in place all working towards improving specialist aspects of performance in our industry. For the latest information regarding Committees please visit our website.
IMCA would like to take this opportunity to thank all its committee members for their continued support of our work programme.
Read on to find out about a couple of important changes.
Making Waves
Editorial
Feedback and suggestions for future articles are welcome: makingwaves@imca-int.com
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