MARINE SURVEYING ACADEMY UPDATE
The Marine Surveying Academy (MSA), a subsidiary owned by IIMS, has had a solid year. After a year of spectacular growth in 2017, it was always going to be hard to match that extraordinary performance in 2018.
MSA continues to operate in two distinct market sectors, that of accrediting offshore auditors as part of the eCMID AVI scheme run on behalf of the International Marine Contractors Association and delivering the Registered Marine Coatings Inspector’s (RMCI) standard for those operating in the superyacht sector. A third market, underwater pipe insulation inspectors, is starting to show signs of a renaissance.
The eCMID and RMCI standards are both maturing as schemes, which means the number coming forward
to be accredited and recognised is reaching its capacity. With this in mind, the MSA Directors have spent much of 2018 looking for new opportunities in various marine sectors. Expect to see some important announcements in early 2019 as they look to roll out some exciting new projects.
In his introduction recently to the first newsletter released to the eCMID AVI community recently, Mike Schwarz wrote:
When I first discussed the idea of an accreditation scheme with IMCA colleagues back in early 2014 for those carrying out CMID inspections as they were then (eCMIDS as they are now), I had no idea that the scheme would flourish so positively in the subsequent years. Back then the clamour from vessel owners and operators in the offshore sector, before the collapse and downturn occurred, was reaching fever pitch. Clean up the sector so that those boarding a vessel to conduct an eCMID could prove their competency to do the inspection was their implicit message. So, as I look back now as we recently celebrated the third anniversary of the eCMID AVI scheme, I feel a sense of pride and satisfaction, but not complacency! Developing a world-class accreditation scheme that remains fit for purpose, capable of withstanding the test of time, is flexible, yet has a robustness to it has been no easy task. Initial scepticism has long gone, yet the learnings along the way have been both steep and challenging at times. IMCA has made significant changes to the eCMID process too and we have adapted to accommodate those where necessary.
At the time of writing I can confirm that we have now accredited over 440 AVIs. In total, over 520 inspectors have come forward to be recognised. Some have failed, but that is as it should be with a scheme such as this. Only those who have been able to provide objective evidence to satisfy the peer group assessors have gained the badge. I believe this is one of the main reasons why major vessel owners and operators, including Ørsted Energy, Siemens and Swedish energy giant, Vattenfall, have all publicly stated that they will always seek to use accredited AVIs.
Nearly 400 inspectors have been trained at one of over 30 worldwide courses we have run under the guidance of lead trainer, Ian Coates. Surprisingly, around 100 have taken the training but have yet to formalise their accreditation application.
I would also like to record my thanks to my colleagues, who work tirelessly on your behalf, to administer and manage the scheme. They are Hilary Excell, MSA Director and Business Manager, who is ably supported by Pui Si Chung and Sharon Holland.
This year we have run two successful AVI seminars in London and Singapore that have been well attended. We will continue this theme next year, so watch out for details. We are also committed to further building and developing the eCMID AVI community for your benefit too.
The Report • December 2018 • Issue 86 | 23
Member News
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