Marine Archives – Page 7 of 7

IMCA publishes DP station keeping incidents

Fifty six accounts of incidents that took place in 2010 on 41 vessels were submitted for the annual Dynamic Positioning (DP) Station Keeping Incidents report produced by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). These incident accounts have been analysed and included in the newly published report IMCA M 218. The largest percentage (37%) of incidents had ‘reference’ as their main cause, with many support submitters commenting that references had been a cause for concern. Electrical (21%), computer (11%) and power (9%) were the next highest scorers. Finally human error (5%), environment (7%), propulsion (4%) and procedure (4%) were the least

Thruster integrity management guidance from IMCA

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published ‘Guidance on thruster integrity management’ (IMCA M 216) describing integrity management systems and their application to marine thruster units installed in both new build and existing vessels. “Our new guidance document is designed to assist ship owners, operators and system designers in understanding the principles of integrity management and the benefits it can bring to the safe and efficient operation of both the thrusters units, and the vessels in which they are fitted,” explains IMCA’s Chief Executive, Hugh Williams. “Our aim in publishing the guidance is four-fold: to provide an understanding of

Guidance notes on diving and dumb barges produced by IMCA of use to offshore renewables sector

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has produced two information notes – ‘Diving on Offshore Renewable Energy Projects: Regulations and Guidance’, and ‘The Inspection and Auditing of Manned and Unmanned Barges’ which are of use, and interest, to those involved with offshore renewable energy projects. “As an increasing number of our members become involved with the offshore renewable energy sectors, we believe it is useful to them, and indeed to their clients, to have basic information in an easily digestible form,” says Jane Bugler, Technical Director of IMCA. “For example, the aim of the diving information note (IMCA M 18/12)

Learning the lessons, reporting DP incidents

In recent years there has been an increasing scrutiny of DP incidents, due, amongst other things, to high profile maritime incidents. Ian Giddings, Technical Adviser – Marine, at the International marine Contractors Association (IMCA) will be addressing ‘Learning the Lessons, Reporting DP Incidents’ at the forthcoming Marine Technology Society’s Dynamic Positioning Conference – DP 2012, being held 9-10 October in Houston, Texas. “The voluntary reporting of station keeping incidents on DP vessels to IMCA for analysis has operated for over 25 years,” he explains. “In my presentation I will be looking at that system, including the lessons learned both about

eCMID Update #5 – August 2012

CMID Update is a quarterly newsletter related to the IMCA M 149 CMID inspection and the associated eCMID database, www.imcacmid.com. The newsletter keeps readers up to date with changes to the CMID, changes to the eCMID database and other developments, such as CMID workshops.

IMCA's New guidance on mooring practice

Ships enter and leave ports regularly. Tying up a ship when alongside a berth or another vessel is potentially a very hazardous operation, unless simple and effective safety procedures are followed. ‘Mooring Practice Safety Guidance for Offshore Vessels when Alongside in Ports and Harbours’ (IMCA SEL 029/M 214), the latest publication from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is designed to ensure safe mooring with zero incidents. “Mooring accidents are always on the list of personal injury accidents, often resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities,” explains Jane Bugler, IMCA’s Technical Director. “Indeed, many people who read this guidance will

IMCA publishes revised Marine Inspection for Small Workboats

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Common Marine Inspection Document (CMID) is well used throughout the industry, now, with smaller vessels in mind, a revised edition of ‘Marine inspection for small workboats (Common marine inspection document for small workboats)’ (IMCA M 189 Rev 2) has been published. As IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler explains: “The revision is largely to do with providing a new layout to reflect the CMID layout and to facilitate its subsequent electronic completion and inclusion on the CMID database. The checklist provided in the new publication aims to help members ensure that the small workboats they

IMCA guidance on hold-back vessels during DP diving operations

New guidance has been produced by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) on the use of ‘hold-back’ vessels during diving operations. These are towing (or other) vessels that provoke additional security for DP (dynamically positioned) vessels engaged in critical operations by means of attachment by wire rope. “Our new publication (IMCA M 185 Rev 1) is intended to assist vessel operators who are considering using such a system of operation by discussing the issues involved and highlighting the minimum precautions that would need to be taken in the planning, execution and monitoring of the operation,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane

eCMID Update #4 – April 2012

Lifeboat hooks – new design requirements/industry guidance

In recent years there have been a number of accidents caused by the failure of on-load release hooks during lifeboat drills, which have resulted in seafarers being seriously injured and even killed. IMO has therefore been developing measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has been following the IMO discussions through the Industry Lifeboat Group (ILG), which is made up of a wide range of shipping industry organisations and is co-ordinated by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and IMCA has now published an information note (IMCA M 20/11) on the subject, which is available

eCMID Update #3 – January 2012

IMCA puts DP in the spotlight

As befits the 50th anniversary of the advent of dynamic positioning (DP), the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has turned the spotlight on this invaluable technology. Earlier this year ‘Guidance for developing and conducting annual DP trials programmes for DP vessels’ (IMCA M 190) was published. Now a complementary publication ‘Example of an Annual DP Trials Report’ (IMCA M 212) is available for free download from the IMCA website. IMCA’s new DP publicationsIMCA M 190 describes the development, conduct and management of annual DP trials programmes for all types of vessels equipped with DP systems meeting the requirements of International

IMCA publishes DP station keeping incidents 2009 and requests input to 2010 report

The sharing of information on incidents is essential as an aid to improved safety, with each one improving the knowledge base of other organisations undertaking similar activities. This is why the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) publishes an annual report on dynamic positioning (DP) station keeping incidents. The report on incidents in 2009 has just been published (IMCA M 211) and IMCA is requesting that details on any incidents in 2010 not already reported should be submitted as soon as possible. “We would encourage everyone to report their incidents, the yearly station keeping incident volumes we produce can only be

Annual DP trials under the conference spotlight

Annual dynamic positioning (DP) trials for DP vessels will come under the conference spotlight when Ian Giddings, Technical Adviser – Marine, International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) speaks at the 15th Marine Technology Society (MTS) DP conference 11-12 October 2011 in Houston, Texas. As he explains:”The 50th anniversary of dynamic positioning allows us the opportunity to look back – as well as forward. Conducting annual DP trials on DP vessels has been the accepted method of testing the DP system and verifying its operation for a number of years now – though not throughout those 50 years. “To aid those carrying

IMCA vessel assurance workshop

A systematic, and common, approach to vessel assurance is seen increasingly as invaluable to both owners and operators eager to improve safety and efficiency. It is an approach that encourages self-audit, promotes good record keeping and provides a means to demonstrate capability/status of compliance with identified requirements. With this in mind, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) published guidance on vessel assurance (IMCA M 204) last year and now, by means of their first Vessel Assurance Workshop, will turn ‘words into action’. “Our afternoon-long workshop being held Monday 12 September at Trinity Hall Aberdeen is free to attend and aims

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