Press Releases

The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has launched an award in memory of yacht and small craft marine surveyor, John Excell. The John Excell Award for Outstanding Achievement is open to all students enrolled on the distance learning diploma in marine surveying. It will be awarded on a periodical basis to deserving students – those who deliver not only outstanding academic achievements but who also demonstrate first-class interpersonal skills. Suitable recommendations will be put to the IIMS Education Committee for review and acceptance.

John Excell, who was an Honorary Fellow member of the Institute, died in April 2021 following a long illness at the age of just fifty-one. He held high office within the Institute and was Director of Yacht & Small Craft Surveying, a member of the management board, and an MCA coding examiner. John was passionate about training and sharing his knowledge with fellow surveyors and gave generously of his time to do so. It is, therefore, fitting that this award should be presented in his memory.

Click to read the full Press Release

The International Institute of Marine Surveyors (IIMS) is concerned for the health and well-being of its members as well as any marine surveyor travelling locally and internationally for work.

Already there is evidence that the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a profound effect on some areas of the profession. But the picture is fluid, changing hourly and by the day, so you are advised to check the current status before you travel for work.

How Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads
When someone who has COVID-19 coughs or exhales they release droplets of infected fluid. Most of these droplets fall on nearby surfaces and objects, such as desks, tables or telephones. It is possible to catch Coronavirus by touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching the eyes, nose and/or mouth. If you are standing within one metre of a person with Coronavirus (COVID-19) it is possible to catch it by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by them. In other words, Coronavirus spreads in a similar way to flu. Most persons infected with Coronavirus experience mild symptoms and recover in several days. However, some go on to experience more serious illness and may require hospital care. Risk of serious illness appears to rise with age – so far people over 40 seem to be more vulnerable than those under 40. People with weakened immune systems and people with conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease are also more vulnerable to serious illness.

Read the press release in full Coronavirus COVID-19 advice for travelling marine surveyors

The International Institute of Marine Surveying has set up a campaign to develop a database of known faults in production boats. The Institute is inviting its members who are actively engaged in the sub 24 metre yacht and small craft marine surveying sector to provide examples of known faults.

It is obvious that prior knowledge of known faults before attending survey is of huge relevance to a surveyor. Speaking with surveyors, it is abundantly clear that there are a number of known faults common to some makes of boat.

So, what constitutes a known fault? What IIMS is looking for is the same fault that has been observed on two identical boats. This might be, for example, cracking around the keel area, electrical system defects or engines that are known to have faults. This is not a witch-hunt against yacht and boat builders and equipment suppliers, rather an attempt to give the small craft surveyor some vital additional information as part of their toolkit. Submissions to IIMS can be made anonymously.

Read the press release in full: IIMS set to collate international database of known faults

Finding a marine surveyor just got even easier with the launch of the free Marine Surveyor Search App from IIMS.

The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has launched a new free App for iOS and Android devices that makes finding a commercial, or yacht and small craft marine surveyor by area, or specialization, fast and simple. Not only a key benefit for members of IIMS, it will make the search for a surveyor easier for the boating and yachting public, brokers, P&I Clubs, marine insurers – in fact anyone needing the services of a marine surveyor on an occasional or ongoing basis.

The App can be downloaded in the usual way from either the Google Play Store or App Store. Just search for’ Marine Surveyor Search’.

Read the press release in full: Marine Surveyor Search App launched by IIMS

Most professions and activities recognise their own special international days to create awareness. Three such examples are World Radio Day, World Puppetry Day and International Firefighters’ Day. IIMS thought it was high time that marine surveyors have their own day – a day that celebrates their work and profession and brings them together, albeit in an online capacity.

So, IIMS has created the Marine Surveying International Fest 2018, a 24-hour celebration of marine surveying. The date for this innovative and eye-catching event is Wednesday 12 into Thursday 13 September, depending on your time zone! View full press release.

Pause for a moment and ponder this question. How much is your life and your safety at sea worth? Most people would say it is priceless and impossible to put a value on. And yet many people seem to misunderstand the worth, value and principle role of a marine surveyor, whose very job it is to ensure your safety at sea by surveying, inspecting and reporting on your expensive, potential new purchase. Instructing a marine surveyor to work on your behalf should never be seen as a distress purchase where price is the all-important factor. View full press release

Fifteen years after launch, the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) distance learning commercial ship and yacht and small craft professional qualifications were recently nominated for an Award in the International Maritime Club’s Golden Shield Excellence Awards 2017 in the ‘Leading Maritime Training Institute’ category. And at the ceremony on Friday 15 September 2017 at the Lloyd’s Old Library in London, IIMS was announced as the winner in this category. View full press release.

The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has launched a new App that has been designed specifically to help members maintain their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points in a simple, yet efficient fashion.
The new App was launched on 1 February 2017. Version two is already under development and will be released soon to include some enhancements. View full press release.

Seawork 2014 saw the issue of an updated UK Workboat (Brown) Code following comprehensive updating by an industry technical working group (TWG) over a long period of time, supported by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Further detailed work has been carried out by the TWG since then and the official launching of the Workboat Code Edition 2 is expected shortly. View full press release.