Allen Leatt
INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL SEMINAR OPENS IN ABU DHABI
Over 325 marine contracting specialists and their oil company clients from 30 countries are in Abu Dhabi this week for the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Annual Seminar which opens tomorrow (27 October) at the Jumeirah At Etihad Towers,
With its theme ‘A health check for the marine contracting industry’the two-day seminar tackles topics such as: the challenge of adding value not cost; the latest operational and technological advances in the fields of marine, diving, ROV and offshore survey; and discusses the need to get back-to-basics to operate safely and efficiently in difficult economic times. .
This year’s seminar has the added bonus of delegates from around the world to meet the two men with their hands newly on the IMCA ‘tiller’ – Allen Leatt, the association’s new Chief Executive and new Technical Director, Richard Benzie. Both are looking forward to the opportunity of meeting those taking part in the Annual Seminar as delegates, speakers and exhibitors within weeks of taking up their posts.
As has become traditional the Seminar combines plenary sessions; technical presentations in three parallel sessions; workshops on technical issues and, very importantly, networking opportunities both during the day within the exhibition hall, and in the evenings. This evening sees a welcome reception staged, sponsored by Northern Marine Manning Services; Tuesday evening’s ‘Arabian Nights: Desert Safari’ is sponsored by TPSMI; and the Closing Night Beach BBQ is sponsored by JFD. Lunch breaks during the conference are sponsored by DP & Marine Assurance Norway AS (Day 1) and Promar (Day 2).
This year’s seminar has a strong list of endorsing organisations – ADCI, CDSA (China Diving & Salvage Contractors Association), The Hydrographic Society; IADC, the Dynamic Positioning Committee, The Nautical Institute, The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), and the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP); and 28 exhibiting companies.
Who is showing what?
Information provided by exhibitors gives a flavour for the wide range of interests of IMCA supplier members, the first part of IMCA’s ‘what they are showing’ preview can be found at http://bit.ly/1S5AnHL. Three more exhibitors have now supplied information on their exhibits:
Atlas Professionals will be showing corporate films on competence management. www.atlasprofessionals.com
JFD will feature the Divex COBRA (Compact Bailout Rebreathing Apparatus) set that has been designed to be as simple as possible to operate and maintain. The set is completely mechanical and relies on no complex electronics for its operation. Like all Divex breathing systems, the equipment is robust and reliable, has a very low work of breathing. COBRA is designed with the intent that the diver should not be required to have to think about his life-support equipment, but to be allowed to focus on the task in hand, knowing the life support is always there when required. www.jfdglobal.com
Lexmar Engineering has revised the design of their 10’ Emergency Support Module (ESM) specifically to meet the IMCA D024 Rev 02 guidelines, with DNV approval. Lexmar has succeeded in meeting all the Rev 02 requirements, while maintaining a very attractive unit housed in a 10’ high cube offshore lift container. Lexmar partners with Fathom Systems in providing complete saturation dive systems. Together they will exhibit a section of the Lexmar saturation control panel, showcasing Lexmar efficient ergonomic design and effective control layout, coupled with seamless incorporation of the Fathom Systems communications, gas analysis, diver monitoring and chamber shut-down systems. www.lexmar.com.sg
About IMCA
- IMCA is an international association with over a thousand members in more than 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 code of practice, DP documentation, marine and ROV 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.
