Offshore Renewables Keeping IMCA Busy

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is responding to the growth of involvement by its members in the marine renewable energy sector by releasing two more toolbox talk prompt guidelines before the year-end.

IMCA’s Marine Renewable Energy Committee has already produced and published a toolbox talk prompt guideline for a Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) deckhand during personnel transfers. The second, on CTV/DP vessel operations, is in preparation.

The committee is also developing an IMCA presentation covering the requirements for standardised boat landings and gangway landing areas. This will be used by committee members to inform and influence offshore wind farm developers internationally, IMCA said.

IMCA’s Technical Adviser – Marine, Captain Andy Goldsmith, said: “IMCA’s Marine Renewable Energy Committee has been busy responding to the needs of our members in this growing sector. The Committee interacts directly with field developers, suppliers and regulators within the offshore renewable energy sector. It ensures that IMCA represents marine contractors in this sector and that its members use existing IMCA Guidance.”

Also scheduled for this year is a revised version of ‘Guidance on the transfer of personnel to and from offshore vessels and structures’ (IMCA M202). The committee is also working with G+ to provide appropriate guidance on the use of immersion suits when transferring to and from vessels at sea.

As part of its work programme, the committee has issued a safety flash concerning a collision by a vessel with the working platform on a wind turbine.