IMCA Releases New Diving Guidance on Subsea Power Cables

New guidance from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has been published to support the increase in diving work associated with subsea power cables.

While subsea power cables have been in use for many decades to provide electrical power to islands, offshore installations, and subsea plant and equipment, the demand for subsea power cables has significantly increased in recent years owing to a massive growth in offshore wind farm construction projects.

IMCA D 079 Subsea Power Cables is intended to assist IMCA Members in the identification and mitigation of potential risks when planning their diving projects on, or in connection with, subsea power cables. Typical subsea work undertaken by divers on or in close proximity to subsea power cables may include installation activities, inspection, or remedial works.

D 079 provides useful background information on subsea power cables, identifies the main components on different types of cables, and describes the factors which should be considered when planning, managing, and conducting diving operations on, or close to, high voltage subsea power cables.

In addition, IMCA D 045 Code of Practice for The Safe Use of Electricity Under Water has been revised to include a new section entitled, ‘Diving on High Power Cables.’ The new section gives advice on when diving can be permitted in close proximity to live subsea high-power cables, referencing DNV GL report 2018-0239 Probability of Failure in Subsea Power Cables. It also includes guidance on evaluating the condition of subsea power cables greater than 30 years old, as well as advice on what to consider when planning diving on or close to the dynamic sections of subsea power cables.

Bryan McGlinchy, Diving Manager at IMCA. (Image credit: IMCA)

Bryan McGlinchy, Diving Manager at IMCA said: “Given the recent increase in demand for diving work in connection with offshore wind farms, the release of IMCA’s new guidance on diving operations in the vicinity of subsea power cables couldn’t be timelier. The newly published guidance should help our Members ensure that diving projects involving subsea power cables are always completed safely and efficiently. It should also help us to meet our huge ambitions in this space.”

Both guidance documents are available to anyone working for an IMCA Member company: https://www.imca-int.com/store/digital-publications/diving/