International Marine Contractors Association
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is the leading international trade association representing over 1000 member companies in over 60 countries specialising in offshore, marine, and underwater engineering.
In common with other trade associations, it provides members with guidance, allowing them to 'self-regulate' rather than look to clients or governments for setting rules and procedures. While governments legislate on a range of issues in the public interest, they cannot produce legislation for every part of an industry's operations. A key benefit of industry guidance is that it can be implemented and updated more quickly than legislation, which is vital in an industry with rapidly advancing technology. As a trade association IMCA must also comply with international competition law (competition, antitrust and similar laws).
Membership
There are separate categories of membership for contractor, supplier, training establishment, personnel agency and non-voting corresponding (oil companies, governmental and regulatory bodies) members (membership is not open to private individuals). Each member joins one or more of IMCA's four divisions (Diving, Marine, Offshore Survey, Remote Systems and ROV) according to its own areas of operation and gains access to the core world-wide activities of IMCA and to its local regional section.
IMCA is the leading body for employers of offshore commercial divers and utilizes the European Diving Technology Committee medical standards.[1]
Leadership
Chris Charman is IMCA's current Chief Executive joining in December 2012. He is responsible for delivering the association's extensive global work programme. Chris is a Fellow of the Institute of Risk Management, and an Associate member of both the Chartered Institute of Insurers and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Previously he has maintained senior finance positions in the Navy, CURM and HSBC across the globe.
Events
The Association has two main annual seminars, one based on Health, Safety and the environment and the other themed around an issue which the marine and offshore industry is currently facing. These seminars take place in each of the associations five geographical regions, rotating between them annually.
Publications
In addition to the seminars, the IMCA publishes guidance notes and accident statistics to improve operational safety within the industry.[2]
Certification
TBA
References
- ↑ Elliott, David H; Millar, Ian L (2009). "Is it enough to be 'Fit to dive'?". Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine 39 (2). Retrieved 2014-02-11.
- ↑ staff (2005). "International Marine Contractors Association publishes 2003 safety statistics". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society (SPUMS) Journal 35 (2). Retrieved 2014-02-11.
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