Jane Bugler
Simulators are used increasingly in the marine contracting industry, in particular for training and competence purposes, but also for work planning/mission planning purposes including engineering development, procedure development, technical assessments, research and asset risk assessment. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published a revision to ‘Guidance on the Use of Simulators’ (IMCA C 014 Rev 3).
“This document, originally published in 2010 and updated in August 2011 and then again in June 2012, and now once more in 2013 – proof of the increasing use of simulators in our industry – provides guidance on the use of simulators in training and competence, ’ explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.
“The front section of the guidance document covers general issues such as definitions, the types of simulator and their appropriateness for training and competence assessment purposes. This latest revision sets out scenarios for use in training on dive panel simulators as well as further guidance on how time on a simulator can count towards gaining panel time for both trainee Diving Supervisors and assistant Life Support Technicians, reflecting the latest update of IMCA D 013 ‘Offshore diving supervisor and life support technician certification schemes’.”
The use of simulators for training and education purposes is common practice in certain areas of the oil and gas industry, particularly in the areas of equipment familiarization and emergency response exercises. The level of realism of each simulator will directly impact the effectiveness of the learning experience for the trainee.
The use of a simulator in a structured training programme can provide trainees with valuable practical hands-on experience in a safe, controlled environment. Training programmes should endeavour to include a blended approach to learning to ensure that essential knowledge and behavioural skills are taken into consideration.
“As with any computer-based workstation activity, health implications of extended exposure should be carefully managed including regular breaks, ” adds Jane Bugler.
The document can be downloaded free of charge from the IMCA website at www.imca-int.com with printed copies costing £5.00 for members and £10.00 for non-members (plus 20% for delivery outside Europe) available from publications@imca-int.com.
Further information on IMCA and its work on behalf of its 900+ member companies in over 60 countries is available from www.imca-int.com and imca@imca-int.com. The association has LinkedIn and Facebook groups and its Twitter handle is @IMCAint
About IMCA
- IMCA is an international association with more than 915 members over 60 countries representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Asia-Pacific, Central & North America, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India and South America regions. As well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training, IMCA seeks to promote its members’ common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
- IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports – many are available for free downloading by members and non-members alike. These have been developed over the years and are extensively distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document (CMID) – now available electronically as eCMID, safety recommendations, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and distributes safety flashes.
