The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on matters of operational safety, training standards, and the mutual recognition of diver qualifications.
The two trade associations in the commercial diving industry have had a close relationship for a number of years and earlier this year established the International Diving Industry Forum (IDIF) together with the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP), to reduce and control the risks associated with diving in the oil and gas industry.
Under this memorandum of understanding IMCA and ADCI will recognise each other’s international offshore diving qualifications, monitor each other’s diver certification schemes, share views and opinions relating to safety and collaborate to ensure that commercial diver training for offshore operations is conducted to the highest industry standards.
Allen Leatt , CEO of IMCA, stated: “This collaboration is an extension of our work together at IDIF and formalises ad hoc arrangements of the past. We recognise that there is a cross-over in our membership and working closer together will certainly be beneficial to our shared membership. We look forward to working with ADCI for the benefit and safety of offshore commercial diving globally.”
Phillip Newsum , executive director of ADCI, said: “The formal collaborative efforts of both associations will allow us to better address industry challenges, as well as standardize and promote best safe practices.”