IMCA launches global education fund

Over £50 000 was raised at the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Midsummer Charity Ball held in Aberdeen on Friday 20 June. This, and other resources set aside by the international trade association, forms the launch pad for IMCAre, a new international educational support fund.

“The marine contracting industry constantly strives for ever-greater safety levels. This is, after all, what IMCA guidance, safety flashes and safety promotion material is all about, coupled with the industry’s determination to aim for ‘zero incidents ,” explains IMCA’s Chief Executive, Chris Charman.

“Regrettably however incidents do still occur around the world, and we believe the marine contracting sector should provide support and assistance to those affected, particularly for families and communities where accidents to breadwinners can have significant impacts and serious consequences.

“IMCA’s Council and Overall Management Committee decided that rather than simply providing money, it would be much more in keeping with the aims and goals of our association to provide funds to support education – and thus the ability to add longer term value to those families and communities affected by a tragedy.

“IMCAre was born from this idea,” he says. “We are asking our Sections around the world - Asia-Pacific, Europe & Africa, Central & North America, Middle East & India, and South America - to identify deserving causes in their region and submit proposals to the IMCA Council and Overall Management Committee for an allocation of funds. Monies will then be passed to those sections for distribution to the families, communities, schools, or training centres – wherever we believe we can provide the most educational impact.

“Naturally we will expect the relevant section to remain involved with their projects to mentor, monitor and manage them in order to ensure the best outcomes.”

Funding details

The Society for Underwater Technology, which already operates an educational charity, will be providing administrative and banking support, which means that IMCA does not need to incur the cost and overheads involved in setting up and running another educational charity.

Contributions large and small are welcome, the bank account details are: Barclays Bank, Sort Code: 20-65-82, Account No: 50040657; Account name: Society for Underwater Technology; cheques made out to Society for Underwater Technology and with ‘IMCAre account’ written on the back should be sent to IMCA, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU, UK. The first awards will be made later this year.

Edited from source by Elizabeth Corner

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