Hurricane Tow
Photo reproduced with kind permission of Aluminium Boats Ltd. E. Cowes. Isle of Wight UK & Sue Stevens Media, Ashurst UK
develop internally with recognition that there were concerns across the sector that there was no formal approval requirement for the selected IMCA vessel inspectors. This company carefully identified who would complete these inspections on our behalf, but commonly inspectors would be provided under the umbrella of a reputable offshore consultancy with a clear demonstrable inspection track record.
IMCA understood the system was working, but also realised that it was necessary to ensure that the vessel inspectors were approved to maintain the respect and integrity of the IMCA inspection process. An inspector, having demonstrated capability and also suitable knowledge and experience, could be approved to undertake the inspection. A more formal Inspector assessment process was required and was identified as desirable by various groups across the offshore energy sector. It was also identified
internally that as a result of the new technology and vessel innovations the inspectors would need to become more specialised for specific vessel types. An approval system developed a few years ago and operated by the Oil Contractors International Maritime Forum (OCIMF) created the Offshore Vessels inspection document (OVID). The system ensured a quality process with inspectors approved to a common standard and trained to complete the inspection to a specific set of criteria. This process was at the time available only to oil companies who had initially extended a concern regarding standards of inspectors and the approval process in the offshore sectors.
IMCA and AVI’s – Accredited Vessel Inspectors
Over the last few years IMCA has engaged fully in a similar process with the creation of a new group of
Accredited Vessel Inspector’s (AVIs). These inspectors are expected to demonstrate their knowledge, experience and competency to an independent approval body to achieve the accreditation to complete IMCA inspections on specific vessel types. The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) was approached to oversee and manage the approval process and following submission of the above information combined with some inspection training, now approve Accredited Vessel Inspectors (AVIs). Accreditation is given for the specific vessel types considered competent and the inspector is subsequently issued with a unique number which is used on all inspection documents completed.
This is a significant step and improvement in quality as Vattenfall as a company can now clearly see who is an approved inspector and what vessels types can be inspected. The step change to a measurable standard for inspectors is recognised as an approach to
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