What is the purpose of IMCA Industry Guidance?

The purpose of IMCA (International Marine Contractors Association) Industry Guidance is specifically to promote good practices and support self-regulation within the marine contracting industry. This guidance serves as a resource for companies and professionals to enhance operational safety and efficiency. By emphasizing good practices, IMCA encourages organizations to adopt standards that reflect careful consideration of safety, environmental impacts, and operational competency.

Self-regulation is critical in the marine industry, where diverse situations arise that may not always be covered by regulatory frameworks. IMCA guidance allows companies to benchmark their practices against industry standards, facilitating continuous improvement and fostering a culture of safety and responsibility. The collective knowledge and experiences shared in the guidance material help the industry to remain resilient and adaptive.

In contrast, establishing regulatory compliance focuses more on adherence to legal requirements, which may not encompass the proactive approach of promoting best practices. Listing equipment suppliers and providing checklists fall outside the scope of IMCA guidance's intent, which is centered around fostering a higher standard of practice rather than simply cataloging suppliers or operational standards.