Annual International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) Baltimore Conference 2026 and virtual meeting
Friday January 30th, Saturday January 31st 2026
“Staying Ahead of the Squall”, or “Adapting to the Inevitable Changes”
Click to register as an in-person or as an online virtual delegate.
James ‘Randy’ Renn and Ray Bracken have assembled an impressive lineup of speakers for your benefit, for what promises to be two days of exceptional training for professional marine surveyors.
Phone: 011 44 23923 85223 (IIMS UK), or 410-490-0216 (James ‘Randy’ Renn) USA
Network with fellow surveyors and industry sector professionals
14 CE’s Suggested
Contact: James “Randy” Renn 410-490-0216
Venue: MITAGS, 692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Cost: $250.00 in person, $200.00 Via Zoom.
Here’s the programme (subject to alteration)
Day One: Friday, January 30, 2026
0830-0915 EST: Mike Schwarz, CEO IIMS. State of the Institute. Moving Forward with AI and new Institute Additions.
0915-1030: John Malool SAMS AMS-SAMS: Safety concerns from all angles. What unknown perils you are exposed to during your inspection process, and prevention of potential damage.
1045-1130: Chase Eshelman, JD-Boating Law. Price fixing – what it is and is not.
1130-1200: Craig Norton, Inspect X: Survey format. Another major step speeding towards a faster, self-referencing, more depth and user-friendly survey format for marine surveyors utilizing the magic of AI. Things we haven’t seen, or dreamed. Craig will update our understanding.
1315-1415: Bill Lee AMS, FV, T&B, YSC, Ocean Reporter. Bill is involved with fishing vessel safety examinations and will talk about the new forms (CG 5587 05/25) the industry is using and the effect on the fishing vessel industry – e Especially vessel over 50 feet and over 100 tons built after 2016.
1430-1515: Ray Bracken MIIMS, SAMS AMS, YSC. Harmonization of Canadian and US Standards with regards to PFD Classifications – new methods of measurements and inventory requirements.
1515-1630: Patrick Durham, StacheD Training: Pat is deeply immersed in lithium battery technology, EV development, applications design and lithium incident suppression. As such and with affiliation with SAE, IAFC, FSRI, he will impart keen insights into the reality of this technology.
1630-1715: Andrew Kinsey, American Institute of Marine Underwriters. As Director of Marine Consulting at Integrated Specialty Coverages he is in a somewhat unique position to opine as to the state and transition of our industry.
1715: Closing remarks.
Day Two-Saturday, January 31, 2026
0830-0900: Good Morning! Starting today with Bill Weyant MIIMS, SAMS AMS, YSC, East Coast Marine Consulting Inc., Ethics and the Surveyor. Exploring the issues and why the issues are always on the horizon.
0900-1015: Mike Schwarz, CEO IIMS: Lithium-ion battery fires: What we know so far. Mike will give a non-technical overview of recent incidents and case studies, as well as offering some helpful guidance and safety advice.
1030-1200: Dennis David, Pure Way Filtration: Years ago, few Surveyors took oil samples; it is now commonplace. We take mold levels on most vessels we visit as a norm. We do not take vessel potable water samples or know all there is about the ship’s on-board filtration. Remember Flint Michigan and Marine Corps Camp Lejeune. Pure Way by way of RGS Dist. will discuss-expose some hard truths about what we put in our glasses and absorb during our showers.
1315-1400: Frank D Messana MIIMS, Sun Coast Marine Surveying: Internet Marketing Media as a Business Enhancement from an expert in the practice. Internet, Facebook and other media as tool approaches to business. Development or improvements in marketing. Lessons we need to practice.
1415-1500: Lloyd Griffin III NAMS CMS, SAMS AMS, YSC. Clean Marina Projects and the benefits and negative impacts. How to deal with subjects such as fly away dust, refuse removal and run off. How must a surveyor guard against self-contamination?
1500-1545: Dexter Ingram, Retired State Department Counter Terrorism Consultant. We may be seeing much more than we realize. Lessons in observation. Counter Terrorist Trade tools.
1545-1630: James ‘Randy’ Renn & Ray Bracken. Where is that saw dust in the bilge coming from and why is it getting worse? From a bit of a joke to a genuine problem. The Termites aren’t just coming, they are here and taking up residence in a fine yacht in your marina. What to look for and report.
1630-1700: Lloyd Griffin III NAMS CMS, SAMS AMS, YSC. “You just can’t make this up”. Always eagerly anticipated each year, Lloyd gives us a glimpse of some of the humorous photos he has found that defy the imagination to round off the Conference. Always a hoot!
Click to register as an in-person or as an online virtual delegate
Useful Conference contact data
Venue: Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, 692 Maritime Blvd, Linthicum Heights Md 21090.
Phone: 410 859-5700
Meeting Entry Code will be provided for online delegates for the Zoom meetings nearer the time.
Content will be recorded and made available after the event to all participants.
Cost: $250.00 in person. $200.00 Via Zoom. If you prefer not to use the online registration and credit card service (above), registration may be paid directly to IIMS by calling 011 44 2392 385223 during UK office hours – ask for Camella Robertson in the first instance. Cost may vary very slightly due to dollar valuation. Questions? please call James Renn 410-490-0216, or email iims.usa@aol.com
Rooms are available in the MITAGS Campus building used for the meeting at $180.00 per night Single, $225.00 Double.
Phone: 410-859-5700 to reserve and confirm cost. Mention the IIMS Conference. Lunch and snacks will be provided as part of admission. Breakfast is provided for those staying in the hotel.
See you there!