Diving Contractor Assurance

ORCA evaluates potential diving contractors against IOGP 468 expectations before contract award, including:

• Diving System Assurance Readiness: Review of asset class status, certification basis, and planned verification activities for new, fixed, or mobile systems per IOGP 468 life‑cycle pathways.
• Management System Maturity: Assessment of the contractor’s Diving Management System, governance, competence frameworks, and audit history, aligned with IOGP 468 roles/responsibilities and assurance processes.
• Operational Preparedness: Cross‑check of procedures against IOGP 411 themes (organisation, interfacing, audit plans, hazard identification, and worksite readiness) to validate safe execution capability.

Deliverables include an actionable gap analysis with risk ranking, recommended conditions of award, and a pre‑award assurance plan.

We conduct structured Diving System Assurance audits compatible with IOGP 468, focusing on:

• System Configuration & Certification: Verification of pressure vessels, life‑support, control/alarms, gas management, electrical/hydraulic/pneumatic systems, and documentation sets against the relevant codes and class basis cited by the contractor, mapped to IOGP 468 verification areas.
• Assurance Process Execution: Planning, conducting, reporting, and close‑out follow the IOGP 468 audit process (initiation, preparation, site execution, and report distribution).
• Interface Checks: Vessel/worksite interfaces, third‑party services, and emergency arrangements are reviewed in line with IOGP 411’s project and audit planning guidance.

Outputs include a non‑conformance register, prioritised remedial actions, and verification evidence suitable for client acceptance.

ORCA supports pre‑mob testing, FAT/SAT witness, and commissioning of contractor equipment to confirm operational readiness prior to diving:

• Readiness Reviews: Execution of punch‑list close‑out, proof testing, communications checks, emergency drills, and documentation verification aligned with IOGP 468’s assurance intent.
• Operational Integration: Confirmation that dive system controls, life‑support, gas logistics, and power/emergency provisions interface correctly with the host vessel or facility, consistent with IOGP 411’s interfacing and audit plan guidance. 

Once operations commence, ORCA provides ongoing assurance to ensure sustained compliance and safe execution:

• Planned & Risk‑Based Audits: Periodic and ad‑hoc audits to verify continued effectiveness of the Diving Management System, maintenance regimes, and crew competence, consistent with IOGP 468’s monitoring approach.
• Worksite Inspections & Operational Reviews: Onboard observations against IOGP 411 (e.g., worksite representative roles, HSE audits, vessel/worksite inspection, and diving equipment systems audits).
• Performance Metrics & Reporting: Leading/lagging indicators, trend analysis, and close‑out tracking to maintain visibility of risk and progress.

We test and strengthen the contractor’s emergency arrangements and learning culture:

• Drills & Scenario Testing: Verification of alarms, comms, aborts, emergency power distribution, bell recovery, and evacuation contingencies during drills and simulations, linked to assurance expectations in IOGP 468.
• Investigation & Improvement: Post‑event reviews, root‑cause analysis, and lessons learned integrated into the assurance cycle, reflecting IOGP 411’s management audit and continuous improvement themes.

From tender to demobilisation, ORCA maintains a single‑source assurance register and evidence pack:

• Assurance Plans & Checklists: Tailored to the project phase and the system type (new, fixed, or mobile) per IOGP 468.
• Annual Reviews: Structured follow‑up aligned with IOGP guidance to confirm that standards, certificates, and competence remain current throughout the contract term. 

• Offshore Energy Producers: Major operators and independents seeking rigorous pre‑award diligence and in‑contract assurance.
• Marine & Subsea Service Providers: EPIC/EPCI, vessel operators, and construction contractors integrating diving operations into broader scopes.

Our experience spans oil & gas, offshore wind, subsea construction, decommissioning, and industrial diving support, ensuring consistent, transparent assurance across portfolios and geographies.

• Standards‑Led: Our methodology aligns directly with IOGP 468 and complements IOGP 411 operational guidance, giving you an auditable, internationally recognised assurance basis.
• Independent & Evidence‑Driven: Clear findings, risk prioritisation, and pragmatic close‑out support.
• Operationally Practical: We embed with project teams to reduce downtime, mitigate risk, and protect schedule and cost without compromising safety.

Wherever your project is located, ORCA delivers a consistent assurance model, pre‑award verification, mobilisation readiness, in‑contract monitoring, and close‑out, grounded in IOGP 468 and aligned with modern diving operations best practice.

Contact ORCA below to schedule project Contractor Assurance....