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M 202), which acknowledges the risks attached to personnel transfers at sea,particularly between vessels and other offshore structures. Such transfers can include movements of personnel at crew change and shift change from vessel to vessel and also between ves- sels, offshore structures, barges and crew boats as well as to and from the quayside. IMCA?s document provides guid- ance to the offshore industry on the safe transfer of personnel at sea, cover- ing risk assessment, training and com-petence, responsibility, equipment and communications, and focusing onthe main methods of personnel trans-fer between vessels, offshore structures and the quayside. The publication identifies the primary methods of per- sonnel transfer as small boat orlaunch; larger crew boat or support vessel; personnel transfer basket; gang- ways, bridge or accommodation lad-ders, including motion-compensatedhydraulic gangways; and mating 'surfer' structures allowing personnel to transfer safely. For each case, the guidance note covers the main safety issues and pro- vides information on the specialistequipment that may be involved (such as 'surfers') as well as special duties or responsibilities of personnel involved, particularly with regard to communi- cations. Transfer by helicopter is not covered, as this is very much a separate subject, adequately addressed else- where by specialist publications. COMPETENCE : THEKEYTOIMPROV -INGOFFSHORESAFETY There has been an increasing global emphasis on the importance of using competent personnel - something thatis continuing despite economic swingsin the last few years. Experienced per- MN#11 (32-49):MN 2011 Layouts 10/27/2011 9:45 AM Page 39