makingwaves news from the International Marine Contractors Association issue 47 – May 2008 Putting people first IMCA brings together contractors, training establishments and agency representatives to identify industry needs, discuss training provision and tackle the skills shortage together. Trinity Hall in Aberdeen was the venue from training providers and agencies. for an IMCA seminar dedicated to They covered issues such as the balance training and related issues which took between standardised and bespoke place on 27 February and attracted courses, consistency both between over 75 eager delegates. contractors and between schools, along with the critical role agencies play in The event had been organised by the supplying appropriately trained and HR Specialist Workgroup, under the competent personnel to support the TCPC committee, to facilitate better industry’s work. communication between contractors and training establishments on current Four presentations from training training needs and delivery. establishments in the four technical divisions – diving, marine, offshore survey Roy Hay of Technip, the workgroup’s and ROV – set out the variety of courses chairman, opened the event by outlining on offer and how in each area training this objective. He noted that a primary providers looked to work together with objective was for contractors and industry for the benefit of all. training establishments to work together to identify the ‘log jams’ that were Delegates then split into sector-specific hindering training and retention of workshops to address the practical personnel, such as the difficulties in issues being faced in each part of the getting bed space for trainees offshore industry before reconvening for a final (see page 4 for more on this issue). discussion and summary session. ROV seminar success at oi08 Jane Bugler, IMCA Technical Director, The event placed great emphasis on Developments in ROV Technology – IMCA’s provided delegates with an overview on partnership and there was a willingness second seminar on ROV issues alongside the state of play with regard to training to work together expressed by all Oceanology International, attracted an increased audience of over 120 delegates programmes and qualifications, including parties. The HR Specialist Workgroup for a series of presentations and panel-led existing IMCA material. and IMCA more widely are taking discussions, covering the latest advances and forward a number of excellent ideas Gavin Smith (Subsea 7) and Anne predictions for the future as the industry identified at the event as part of the Thomson (Technip) then spoke from the undertakes an increasing range of ongoing work to tackle skills shortages operations in ever deeper waters. viewpoint of major contractors, outlining now and in the future. what such companies needed and wanted Turn to page 14 for a full report. Also in this issue: Communications in lifting Fresh look for offshore careers Diving DESIGN review New guidance on communications in IMCA has expanded and relaunched its The diving equipment systems lifting operations is now available, as range of careers materials, with a bright inspection guidance notes are being part of IMCA’s current focus on new look and information on a broader reviewed, with a new name and offshore lifting safety. range of roles. additional guidance on use planned. Get the message in full on page 12 See what’s coming on the horizon on page 4 Find out more on page 11 AB International Marine Contractors Association www.imca-int.com makingwaves The IMCA Newsletter News from around IMCA issue 47 – May 2008 industry among those present. Hugh Williams, in his welcoming In this issue: speech, gave guests a brief update on IMCA, its guidance News from around IMCA 2 and how the association strives From the President 3 to improve efficiency in marine Core activity news 4 operations, in itself prompting discussion on a number of Regional news 6 subjects. With contractors, consultants, IMCA Directory 7 lawyers, insurance personnel and Secretariat staff regulatory representatives and committees 7 present, a variety of perspectives Current members 8 and personal areas of expertise and interest added further to You may have missed ... the conversation. recent documentation 10 HQS Wellington attracts attention for IMCA Many members attended, Divisional news 11 Some 120 members and guests floating museum and so provides including representatives of the attended a social reception a wonderful venue for an IMCA Diving 11 Overall Management aboard HQS Wellington on event, with maritime interest in Committee, IMCA Council and Marine 12 5 March. detail, history and background. secretariat, who were on hand Offshore Survey 13 The vessel, moored on the Over 70 companies were to entertain our guests, who Remote Systems & ROV 14 Thames in London, is a restored represented at the event and enjoyed the refreshments and a World War II sloop and home of such diversity clearly delicious buffet with music in Spotlight 15 the Honorable Company of encouraged enjoyable the background. on Alan Forsyth Master Mariners. She is a conversation about today’s Forthcoming events 16 Redesigned websites about to go live Get involved After much anticipation, the new IMCA websites are approaching In this edition of Making launch. A thorough review has taken place to ensure their content is Waves you can find a variety fully up to date and relevant for the variety of visitors the sites receive. of ways in which you can get Following the most radical overhaul in over six years, a brand new the most out of IMCA. design has been implemented, intended to be clearer, brighter and Here are a few pointers: more visually appealing and to help you focus on the content you need. Add our new incident Those who regularly use the current sites won’t be lost, however, as reporting address to your the overall structure has been retained, albeit with revised navigation distribution lists and help to help all levels of user find what they are looking for – the latest make the industry safer downloads, information on logbook and publications ordering, event see page 4 programmes and booking, membership joining materials, incident reporting (see page 4) certification enquiries or information on the Share your passion to help wide variety of exciting careers available in our industry (see page 4). attract new recruits The new public website – www.imca-int.com – is well advanced and see page 4 will be launching very shortly. The members-only website will follow Contribute your feedback shortly afterwards, integrating the new design with the wealth of as the review of IMCA’s additional material including over a thousand documents available for diving equipment exclusive member downloading plus additional information on taking (DESIGN) guidance begins part in seminars, meetings and other association activities. see page 11 Making Waves – the newsletter of the Contact [email protected] with any feedback on the new sites. International Marine Contractors Submit your reports on Association – is published quarterly to DP incidents in 2007 to promote knowledge of safety and Discover IMCA in depth in our new brochure help make the analysis technical matters affecting the offshore, even more comprehensive marine and underwater engineering The eye-catching IMCA in depth brochure is undergoing review and see page 12 industry. refreshment. Expanded to 16 pages with additional text and Succinct, positive contributions of photographic content, the result will be an enhanced guide to IMCA Find out about how your potential interest to a wide cross-section for use by secretariat staff and members with a wide audience. company can support of members are welcome. scientific research with the The views expressed on these pages are SERPENT project those of the respective authors and do Updated document register available not necessarily reflect the policies or see page 14 positions of IMCA itself. The April 2008 issue of the IMCA Document Register, containing a full Attend an event – see the listing of current publications and information notes setting out Editor: Adam Hugo IMCA calendar on page 16 ([email protected]) guidance, is now available at https://members.imca-int.com/documents/ issue 47 – May 2008 | makingwaves | 3 Not ‘The Industry Policeman’ From the President IMCA is not a regulator, but questions received by the secretariat often indicate that some people think we are. Here are a few facts Demand for oil continues to about IMCA to describe our position: exceed supply with a resultant IMCA publishes good practice guidelines – These are not standards, requirements or law, unless another increase in oil price. We party (a client or government) adopts them and demands increasingly hear that we are at, compliance or are close to, ‘peak oil’. – They are internationally recognised ‘good’ practice in marine operations – not ‘best’ practice, which could be construed as For our industry, ‘peak oil’ being ‘gold plated’ or over-the-top necessitates working in ever more challenging – We encourage members, in every way we can, to comply with the guidelines environments: deeper water, Arctic climate and remote Contractor (ICO and Co) members agree to be audited against locations with little infrastructure, as well as high security these guidelines by clients. This is a powerful statement and an risk locations. unusual position for our industry and trade associations – IMCA publishes a number of audit documents to supplement Not good news for the planet, perhaps, but it does the guidelines. These help members check their own reinforce the sustainability of our industry at a high level for operations against the guidelines and can be used by clients and other agencies to complete their own audits many years to come. – Using these materials and others, clients are responsible for ensuring that contractors deliver what is stated in the contract However, there is also some good news on the oil IMCA has published several factsheets (available on our websites) exploration side – news which at the present time comes to explain these processes, including What is a trade association?, mainly from Brazil.