New guidance for surface swimmers

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) guidance document ‘Surface Swimmers’ (IMCA D 066) is a turnaround from the ICMA’s 2012 information note IMCA D 04/12 ‘Surface Swimmers’, which presented the view that surface swimming was an inappropriate technique for offshore construction activities.

Phil Towers, IMCA’s technical adviser – diving and lifting, explained: “We have now adjusted our position in line with other industry guidance and withdrawn all Information Notes on the topic.”

The guidance document acts as a safety aid for surface swimmer work tasks often conducted from a small craft or from the side of a barge or vessel. These tasks include inspection work on floating hoses; installation or maintenance work on floating hoses; work in and around SBMs; work associated with pipelaying operations; and work in the splash zone area.

Mr Towers added: “We emphasise in IMCA D 066 that surface swimming should not be used where the requirement is for a person to place their head under water; and should be a daylight only activity. Fully equipped divers operating in accordance with IMCA’s ‘International code of practice for offshore diving’ (IMCA D 014) should always be used in such circumstances. The safety of the swimmers is of paramount importance. Other restrictions are covered in the ‘Limitations’ section of the new guidance and should be strictly observed.”

By Rebecca Jeffrey