KBA - Successful Completion of IMCA Surface Supplied Diving Assessment for Indonesian Divers

CHANGI, Singapore - Sept. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- Over a two-week program from 19 August – 02 September 2014, the first batch of 12 experienced divers from PT. Advanced Offshore Services (PT. AOS) has successfully completed their Surface Supplied Diver Assessment at TOTAL Indonesie (TEPI) offshore site installation in Balikpapan. The assessment was carried out in accordance with the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) document – ‘Competence Assessment of Experienced Surface Supplied Divers’.

The diver assessment was part of PT. AOS and TEPI commitment to bring the competence level of local divers to international IMCA’s standards. With the support of TEPI, PT. AOS aims to raise the standard of divers and diving team, of both the National (Indonesian) and other staff through various initiatives and training. PT. AOS has since arranged various diving competency courses such as IMCA Diver Medic, IMCA Trainee Air Diving Supervisor, KMB DSI Helmet Technician course and other similar courses for their personnel.

KB Associates Pte Ltd (KBA) is the only company approved by IMCA outside the UK to conduct the experienced diver assessment program and were contracted by PT. Advanced Offshore Services (PT. AOS) and TOTAL Indonesie (TEPI) to conduct the assessment. The assessment requires the divers to complete a theory review and exam and a range of practical assessments while using an IMCA compliant surface supplied air diving system and support equipment. The practical tasks included use of airlifts, underwater burning equipment, inspection and photography, a range of u/w tools, emergency diver recovery drills - dives to 40m and DDC drills over the 14-day period.

Michael Whelan (KBA’s assessor) has over 30 years of experience as a diver, diving supervisor and commercial diver trainer; and he was supported by Omar Bin Othman from Singapore. Michael said “The divers showed that their experience over the years has given them a good foundation and the assessment went really well. During the assessment the divers were able to demonstrate their skills and knowledge while reinforcing the safety standards required in areas such as conducting emergency drills.”

Ravi Rohidas from Advanced Offshore has commented “I would like to thank TEPI Balikpapan, TEPI Handil, LSM provider Team and Darren Brunton & his team - Michael Whelan and Omar Bin Othman from KB Associates Singapore as well as the team of PT. AOS for all their efforts in the successful completion of this assessment, we are now looking at the next step for the diver competency development with IMCA Diver Medic training (http://www.kbatraining.org/courses/Commercial-Diving/IMCA...).”

Discussions are in the plan for the second batch of local Indonesian divers to be assessed as part of the PT. AOS and TOTAL Indonesie’s initiative and dedication to raise the commercial diver competency standards and safety for local national divers.

For further information regarding the assessment program, please contact KBA Group Head Office at Tel: +65 6542 4984, email us at enquiries@kbassociates.org or visit our website at www.kbassociates.org

ENDS