International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is a leading internationaltrade association for themarine contracting industry. It is a not for profit organisation with members representing the majority of worldwide marine contractors in theoil and gas andrenewable energy industries.
IMCA was formed following the merger of the Association of Offshore Diving Contractors (AODC) with theDynamically Positioned Vessel Owners Association (DPVOA) in 1995.
IMCA's purpose is to improve performance in the marine contracting industry.
IMCA represents over 700 member organisations in over 60 countries.[1] It operates in five geographic regions: Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India and South America).[2] IMCA has a full-time secretariat in London that organises and manages the regional and technical committees. The extensive committee structure consists of elected member representatives who are experts in their field of operation.
As a trade association, IMCA is required to comply with internationalcompetition law and represents the industry on national and international forums, such as theInternational Maritime Organization.[3]Members are obliged to comply with the IMCA Code of Conduct as a condition of membership. One of the commitments is to operate with riskas low as reasonably practicable (ALARP), and to minimise environmental impact.[4]
IMCA has developed a comprehensive body of knowledge in the form of a suite of thousands of published guidance documents, technical information notes, DVDs and safety promotional materials which are internationally recognised as authoritative and establish standards of good practice in the marine contracting industry.[5]
IMCA has published guidance documents in the following fields:
Safety flashes: Anonymised reports of accident, incidents, and near misses reported by members, and circulated to the interested public in the interest of improving safety. These reports may contain only the bare details, or a basic analysis, of what happened, depending on what was reported. As a general rule, no judgements are made nor blame suggested. The reader is left to learn what they can from information provided.[7]
IMCA recognises some diver training certificates for surface oriented and closed bell offshore diving under the IMCA international code of practice for regions where there are no relevant regulatory systems. These certificates are listed in the current IMCA Briefing Note. IMCA does not approve or recognise specific diver training schools or courses.[13]
IMCA organises an annual programme of meetings and events all over the world, including regional meetings, briefing sessions, technical seminars and workshops on specific industry related issues. The Association's flagship event takes place every two years with an agenda combining business and strategic issues featuring senior executives and technical sessions. IMCA also supports a number of conferences and exhibitions hosted by other organisations which share a common interest of its members.
^Staff (2002). Williams, Paul (ed.).The Diving Supervisor's Manual (IMCA D 022 May 2000, incorporating the May 2002 erratum ed.). London, UK: International Marine Contractors' Association.ISBN1-903513-00-6.
^Staff (July 2014). "Section 5 - Diving Bell: 5.23 - Onboard gas, and 5.24 - Onboard oxygen".IMCA D024 Rev 2 - Part 2 DESIGN for Saturation (Bell) Diving Systems(PDF) (Revision 2 ed.). London,UK: International Marine Contractors Association. pp. 4 of 10. Retrieved30 January 2016.
