Fifteen members of the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) have voted to approve joint International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) and International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) amendments to existing codes on diver safety. These amendments will harmonize the codes “with current industry practice.” No national representatives opposed the amendments.
Specifically, the amendments relate to two IMO documents: Code of Safety for Diving Systems and Guidelines and Specifications for Hyperbaric Evacuation Systems. In preparation for the Maritime Safety Committee’s decisive meeting, both IOGP and IMCA carefully explained the reasons behind the proposed amendments. Leading those efforts were IMCA’s former policy and regulatory affairs adviser, Eleni Antoniadou.
Joint papers submitted by IOGP and IMCA and a presentation at the meeting itself also "contributed to the successful outcome," said IOGP Safety Director Chris Hawkes. “Our amendments incorporate the great strides that the industry has made in the provision and use of diving and hyperbaric evacuation system safety issues since the existing code was issued almost 30 years ago,” he said. “Now the challenge will be to maintain momentum with our suggested amendments.