AB Offshore Renewable Energy
Marine Operations
IMCA is the international
trade association
representing offshore,
marine and underwater
engineering companies
It seeks to:
n strive for the highest possible
standards with a balance of risk and
cost in: health and safety; technology;
quality and efficiency; environmental
awareness and protection;
n achieve and sustain self-regulation in
the industry;
n ease the free movement of equipment
and personnel globally;
n achieve equitable contracting regimes;
n provide the framework for training,
certification, competence and
recruitment to support and sustain the
industry globally;
n resolve industry issues; and
n promote co-operation across the
industry.
Members include pipelay, heavy lift,
diving, remotely operated vehicle, survey
and offshore construction contractors,
plus various contractors operating
specialist marine equipment.
IMCA has two core activities in which all
members participate:
n Competence & Training includes a
comprehensive framework devoted to
promoting safety by defining and
encouraging training and competence
in key safety-related positions.
n Safety, Environment & Legislation
(SEL) includes monitoring national and
international regulatory bodies,
circulation of relevant information to
members and advancement of
industry positions where necessary
Members join in one or more technical
divisions relevant to their own activities:
n Diving
n Marine
n Offshore Survey
n Remote Systems & ROV
IMCA works with a global focus, but also
has regional sections covering the key
offshore areas: Asia-Pacific, Central &
North America, Europe & Africa, Middle
East & India and South America.
IMCA has published substantial and
comprehensive good practice guidance
on marine operations based on its
members experience in a range of
related areas. More details on specific
activities are set out on these factsheets.
www.imca-int.com
January 2011
The Offshore Renewable Energy Market
The offshore renewable energy industry is expanding rapidly. This expansion has brought new clients,
contractors, suppliers and consultants to this market. They have delivered new energy generating designs,
new structural solutions, new vessels and new personnel.
Challenges in Marine Operations
All marine construction faces similar challenges, but these can be magnified in new circumstances. The
main marine operations involved include:
Site survey Towage and shipment Piling
Lifting and installation Cable laying/trenching/burial Diving and ROV operations
Dredging Personnel transfer
A variety of vessels may be involved, including:
Survey vessels Tugs and supply vessels Dive support vessels
Crane vessels Construction support vessels Accommodation vessels
Cable laying vessels Guard vessels Dredgers
Crew boats
These vessels vary greatly in size and design, including:
Ship shape vessels Jackable ships Dumb barges
Jack-up barges Hybrid vessels Small workboats
The challenges for these marine operations include:
Vessel design/selection Offshore structure design: Vessel equipment design
Weather criteria loadout, tow and installation
Safe and efficient marine operations depend on choosing the right design, equipment and procedures as
well as engaging trained, experienced and competent personnel.
Offshore renewable energy depends, for example, on wind, wave and current. Going further offshore, or
into deeper water, adds expense due to longer cables, deeper structures and longer transit times for
personnel. So projects are often located relatively near to shore and can be in areas of high current,
persistent wind and shallow water perhaps with breaking waves. Each aspect obviously affects the marine
operations. Offshore wind farms cover large areas and may have many vessels engaged in work
simultaneously, generally known as SIMOPS.
Marine Operations Often Cross International Boundaries
Vessels working offshore in any country must comply with national and international legislation but other
geographic influences stem from the vessels flag, nationality of the contractor, nationality of the crew and
so on. Because of this international influence, international good practice has been developed to
encourage good standards in offshore operations and to help clients and contractors to demand and
deliver, respectively, solutions that are safe and efficient, acceptable to the authorities and consistent
wherever the operation takes place. Existing national legislation covers aspects of operations for ports
and harbours construction, dredging, cable laying for telecommunications and offshore construction for
the oil & gas industry. International requirements stem from the International Maritime Organization, for
example. Various countries have drafted their own additional requirements for offshore renewables.
Complex Challenges, But Help Is At Hand
In terms of good practice, a lot has been published by trade associations on equipment, procedures and
personnel.
IMCA is a source of good practice. The Association is a knowledge base and a facilitator for cross
industry dialogue providing a common language to discuss marine challenges.
This sheet aims to highlight IMCA publications relevant to offshore renewables.
 Offshore Renewable Energy Marine Operations
Page 2
AB
The Aim of International Marine Operations Good Practice Guidelines
Industry good practice guidelines aim to:
Improve safety and efficiency
Provide acceptable procedures for contractors
Assist clients to call for appropriate standards in tenders for marine operations
Assist contractors to deliver appropriate standards in bids for marine operations
Assist clients to benchmark tenders
Assist clients to audit contractors vessels and work preparations during a project
Assist contractors to self audit their own vessels and work preparations
Promote training and assess competence to help assure success

IMCA Publications Relevant To Offshore Renewables

IMCA has produced many guidelines for offshore operations and continues to update them and produce
new ones as required.

General
1. Initial vessel selection Common Marine Inspection Document
2. Vessel audit Vessel design, trials, equipment audit
For all vesssels
For small workboats
3. Personnel Basic safety training and vessel induction
Competence framework for all disciplines in marine operations
Log books for many disciplines
4. Conditions of contract Several standard contract formats
IMCA Contracting Principles
Risk in construction contracts

Good practice guidelines for equipment, procedures and personnel

Station keeping, DP and mooring Simultaneous operations (SIMOPS)
Communication between work sites Personnel transfer
Lifting operations Diving operations
ROV operations Survey operations
Subsea construction

Some specific guidance

High voltage training (on vessels) Working at height
Reporting of incidents Risk assessment
Safe use of electricity underwater (for divers)

Safety materials
Safety posters Safety pocket cards
Safety DVDs

New vessels and personnel

Vessel equipment specifications Vessel trials
New personnel induction and training

Incident databases, safety flashes, statistics and sharing

Past learning for new vessels and personnel

www.imca-int.com