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40MNNovember 2011sonnel are still required. Contractors are called upon by clients, regulators and others to demonstrate that the indi- viduals working for them, particularly in safety-critical roles, are competent. IMCA, working through and in consultation with its members, has developed an extensive framework of guid- ance that its members can use to establish or enhance theirown in-house schemes, with recognised industry criteria and templates for assessment and record keeping. The IMCA framework includes a substantial amount of docu- mentation, set out in a straightforward manner for over 50 positions.Recently, IMCA?s President, Andy Woolgar of Subsea 7, raised the issue in his President?s letter in the latest issue of the IMCA quarterly newsletter ?Making Waves?, of elevat- ing competence from the marine contracting sector?s off- shore workplace to onshore and management personnel and ?corporate? competence. ?The standard components of qualifications, skills and experience that are demon- strated and assessed are harder to pin to a corporation,? he writes. ?But being tough does not mean it should not be done.? As background to these thoughts, he explains that IMCA members work hard to deliver safe and efficient projects. ?Much of IMCA?s delivery for members is in sup- port of this aim. One aspect, competence, has increasing importance? ? and goes on to explain the IMCA compe- tence framework. IMCA INNORTH AMERICALooking particularly at reactions in the USA he explains: ?After Macondo, the US authorities have been emphasis- ing the skills and experience expected from personnel in the Gulf of Mexico. This is being handed down by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) through its Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS) require- ments. IMCA is working with the Bureau through the Offshore Operators Committee (OOC) to clarify what skills and experience should be expected and how it should be demonstrated in our sector by using the exist- ing IMCA competence material. ?This (and related) work is what has raised the question of ?corporate? competence in my mind,? he explains. ?I look forward to feedback from throughout the industry.? In addition to providing documentation on compe- tence, IMCA has held three competence events during 2011, in Aberdeen, Singapore and, earlier in September, in Houston ? more are planned. IMCA values its rela- tionship with workboat owners and operators, and is eager for their input to the association?s work program. On the WEB: www.imca-int.com ASSOCIATIONS With some 200 guidance notes and technical reports ? the vast majority of which are available for free downloading from the IMCA website by members and non-members alike ? the breadth of IMCA?s knowledge base comes clear, especially in terms of marine operations, DP and diving. MN#11 (32-49):MN 2011 Layouts 10/27/2011 9:50 AM Page 40