The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) set up an industry-wide workgroup during 2011 to develop guidance on hyperbaric evacuation. The work was split into five main topic areas: risk assessment, technical, operations, medical and standards.

Hugh Williams, IMCA’s Chief Executive explains: “The standards subgroup has focused its attention on the development of establishing common technical interfaces for hyperbaric lifeboats and reception facilities. The work, which has involved informal discussion with contractors and equipment manufacturers, has led to the development of a technical proposal that covers the ten main interface areas, including lifting strops, falls, support position, locating pins, the hyperbaric lifeboat (HLB) flange and its position.

“The proposal is not intended to be a standard as such but rather is set out as an industry good practice recommendation. IMCA recognises that the proposed recommendation could have far reaching consequences for our industry from the actual diver in saturation all the way through to the shipbuilder constructing as new diving support vessel (DSV).

Tags: International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA)