Introduction
In April 2026, the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) will be celebrating as IIMS turns 35 years old. Consequently, I decided to invite surviving Presidents of the Institute, past and present, to write a few words to recognise and acknowledge this achievement.
I must say how humbled I am to read some of the kind comments that have been made about me personally. It is gratifying. Leading and developing the IIMS team has given me huge pleasure. I am backed by an exceptional team of talented individuals and between us we have made IIMS what it has become today. I could not have been successful without their dedication and commitment.
I have now been in post for 12 years and my passion for the surveying profession and wanting to do what we can to raise the standards of surveying around the world burns ever brighter. I continue to look for new opportunities, incorporating innovation and believe the next period is very positive indeed as IIMS continues to strive to make a difference in the surveying sector.
As I look back over my time with the business, I am proud of what we have achieved.
Happy 35th birthday IIMS and a big thank you to all our members, supporters, suppliers and others who have helped make this possible.
Reflections by Capt William MacDonald HonFIIMS, the first President of IIMS from 1991-1993
In 1991, some twenty likeminded marine surveyors gathered in the Queen’s room of the London Baltic Exchange. That meeting was called and organized by myself and my colleague Clive Taylor of Taylor Marine.
We all shared a common belief that the time was right for marine surveyors from around the world to come together and form a respected international institute. The meeting was held over a five-day period and was attended by approximately twenty surveyors, each representing a different country. At the conclusion of the fifth day, it was unanimously agreed that the time has come to establish the institute and I was honoured to be elected as its first president.
In its early years, the newly formed institute grew very slowly. We had no funds and no formal office address. A single desk in my office served as the institute’s headquarters and from this modest beginning progress was made day by day as we worked to sign up surveyors who shared our vision.
From those early beginnings, some 35 years ago, this embryonic institute has grown into what we see today – an organization with over 1,000 members from over 100 countries spanning Europe, India, Pakistan, Middle East, The Far East, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, The United States and Canada.
And now we celebrate our 35th Anniversary. Nowadays, the institute is widely respected by ship owners, charterers, cargo owners, P&I Clubs, insurance companies, yacht owners and international maritime regulators, to name but a few.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those forward-thinking surveyors who helped the institute grow over the years, including our current president, Capt Ruchin Dayal, and each of our past presidents as well as the dedicated team at our Head Office, Murrills House, in the United Kingdom.
I would also like to thank Mr. Clive Taylor of Taylor Marine who worked alongside me day after day in my office in 1991 when we were struggling to turn this vision into reality.
Special thanks must also go to our CEO Mr. Mike Schwarz, who for the past 12 years has guided the institute along its growth path, travelling tirelessly to meetings in many countries. Without his dedication, passion and leadership, this institute would not be where it is today.
I am mindful that some of our original founders are no longer with us, but they are not forgotten. Their contribution remains part of the foundation which the institute stands for.
As of myself, although I am well past my sell by date, I hope to be here once again to join you all at our 50th anniversary celebration – when I will be a young 98 years old!
Thank you all for being with us and for being part of this remarkable journey.
Thoughts from Capt Allen Brink HonFIIMS – President from 2007-2010
As I reflect on the 35-year journey of the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), I am filled with pride and optimism. I was privileged to play a key role in the founding of IIMS, and have remained committed to its growth and success, serving in various capacities, including as a Past President.
IIMS has been at the forefront of promoting excellence in marine surveying, and its relevance in 2026 is undeniable. The maritime landscape is shifting rapidly, with technological advancements and environmental concerns reshaping the industry. IIMS has adapted, embracing these changes and ensuring its members are equipped to navigate the evolving seas.
I had the privilege of contributing to the early stages of the education programme and to the handy guide library. These efforts have been a testament to the Institute’s commitment to promoting professionalism and best practices in marine surveying.
The Institute’s commitment to training and developing the next generation of marine surveyors is commendable. Through its education programme, IIMS is fostering a new wave of professionals who will shape the future of the industry.
Over the past 35 years, IIMS has made significant strides in promoting professionalism, ethics, and best practices in marine surveying. The Institute’s growth and recognition are a testament to its dedication to the profession and the industry it serves. As the shipping and boating industry continues to evolve, the role of marine surveyors remains vital, ensuring vessels are seaworthy, cargo is safely transported, and the environment is protected.
I am proud to be part of the IIMS community and look forward to its continued success in shaping the future of marine surveying.
Capt Bertrand Apperry HonFIIMS (President of IIMS 2014 to 2016) and still president of AFEXMAR (France) remembers…
The French Association of Maritime Experts (AFEXMAR) was a founding member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS).
The goal of the maritime experts at that time was to unite in order to promote our expertise considering the profession’s planned growth and internationalization in parallel with the fast evolution of global maritime trade.
Our primary goal was providing competent and independent marine surveying experts. To achieve this, we needed a membership recruitment policy that included not only experienced ex-seafarers, of course, but also land- based engineers working in the maritime or related sectors. This was fundamental to our credibility in a world where the old “good enough” approach was no longer acceptable.
The knowledge required today must be regularly updated, as regulations closely follow technological progress and changes. Keeping ourselves current was a challenge, and we immediately began offering our marine surveying experts professional continuing education. IIMS and AFEXMAR have done a great deal to keep surveyors up to date, including instruments like the ISM and the ISPS Codes, which have been major turning points in maritime safety and security management.
Remember, the first ISM expert course (The ISM Surveyor & Consultant) was offered as early as 2004 through the IIMS Marine Surveying Professional Qualification and Diploma.
Today, this expertise is recognized as essential within the college of experts, as well as in management audits of our industry, including offshore (for example, the recent Coastal State Control related to the Montego Bay Convention) and the rapidly developing Port State Control.
As a French branch of IIMS, AFEXMAR is still offering these courses and continues to improve them as far as possible. We wish a long life to the Institute.
The IIMS is 35 years old: Geoff Waddington HonFIIMS – President from 2020-2022
I joined the IIMS in 2003. The IIMS was a much smaller organisation in those days; we were based in Gosport, and most functions were held on board HMS Wellington. Nikki and Vicki were pretty much running the show, and an AGM would only fill a small room on board.
I became involved with the Education program, writing modules for the IIMS diploma program. John Lawrence became the CEO and we moved to Murrills House at Portchester.
I was chairman of the Education Committee and an executive board member, but the IIMS was not in a good place, and financially in a very poor state indeed. In January 2014, I was part of the committee to recruit a new CEO along with John Lawrence, John Heath, Paul Homer and Adele representing our HR and recruitment company, who I was sat next to. We had a mixed bag of applicants and although we all knew we required someone to lead the IIMS out of the mire, my take on a solution was to recruit someone who knew nothing about the industry at all, but who had a sound business background. With some help and support from Adele and the other board members, Mike Schwarz was chosen and recruited.
The profile of the IIMS then began to grow noticeably on the world stage. Within the IIMS improvements were made in every sector to streamline the business and
improve performance. The education department left the influences of Edexcel and in 2014 the training department Marine Surveying Academy was formed to develop and promote professional courses, but most importantly, the Institute was now financially sound.
It was my privilege to serve as President from 2020 to 2022 during the Covid years. By then, we had established such a good financial situation that we could afford to purchase the freehold and real estate of our headquarters building.
Over the years, the IIMS has become the Institute for Marine Surveyors of all disciplines from all over the world, and I am immensely proud of our collective achievements
Institutions survive because they exist. They thrive because they serve.” Capt Zarir Irani HonFIIMS – President 2018-2020
For over three decades, IIMS has grown into a global community connecting surveyors across 100 countries. The Institute’s focus on accredited training and ongoing professional development has supported members take steps forward in their careers. This steady growth shows commitment to technical excellence and international standards within the maritime industry.
For me, being an IIMS Honorary Fellow is more than a certificate to hang on the wall. It represents credibility recognised globally. When I work with flag administrations, underwriters, shipowners, yacht and small craft owners, or legal professionals, the IIMS name stands for expertise and value high standards.
What I value beyond the qualifications, is the strong
professional community the Institute has built. Through forums, publications and regional events, members stay connected, so no surveyor works in isolation. In a profession where good judgment matters, shared experience is invaluable. When our team at Constellation cannot attend a survey, we turn to fellow IIMS member globally, confident they will uphold the same standards.
As maritime rules and technology change, IIMS stays ahead by updating its training and guidance to match industry needs, ensuring membership remains relevant and valued by those who appoint IIMS surveyors.
My time with IIMS has been truly rewarding. I found my mentors and gained directional guidance from my board seniors and fellow members at IIMS conferences, and I would give back in the blink of an eye.
Institutional value is not created overnight. It is built steadily through standards, education, accountability, and community. That is the legacy I see as we celebrate 35 years, and I look forward to its continued benefits for future members.
May we continue to flourish, self-innovate, and become stronger as a global association in the years to come.
Peter Broad HonFIIMS, Immediate Past President, (2022-2024) reminisces
The term ‘through-life pathway’ perfectly encapsulates my journey with IIMS since I joined in 1999 as a junior Lloyd’s Register surveyor.
At that time, few Classification Society surveyors were members – a situation that remains largely unchanged. While IACS provides a clear career development framework for classification surveyors, independent marine surveyors had no structured pathway, guidance, or professional standards. IIMS was still a fledgling organisation with admirable ambitions, working to establish credibility within the maritime community.
I became involved in diploma course development and discovered my passion for teaching, whether through formal training, mentoring, technical articles, or books.
IIMS operates as a business, not merely as a membership organisation. While membership is vital – bringing together core professionals who contribute to the maritime industry worldwide – it is not simply granted upon payment. Our rigorous vetting process ensures we thoroughly understand prospective members’ genuine competencies and experience. IIMS membership has become the global benchmark for non- IACS surveyors. Many marine insurers now require surveyors to belong to a recognised professional body, and several countries have adopted IIMS membership standards as the minimum requirement for surveyors operating within their jurisdictions.
The breadth of knowledge held by our members spans commercial shipping, the superyacht industry, vessels under 24 metres, inland waterway vessels, offshore installations, wind energy, subsea equipment, marine coatings, and autonomous vessels. We have members involved in cutting- edge technology as well as expert shipwrights who preserve traditional knowledge and skills.
IIMS and its members serve as ambassadors for the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in global maritime operations.
IIMS has become the world’s leading professional body for non-IACS marine surveyors, backed up by professional leadership at our head office and a highly motivated team at Murrills House. We have achieved ISO 9001 certification through DNV, one of the premier certifying authorities. We participate in several Non-Governmental Organisations and Advisory Committees in the UK and other countries.
We have come a long way in 35 years, and I am incredibly proud to have been part of this through-life journey, becoming a Fellow and ultimately serving a two-year term as President of the Institute.
Thank you to all our fellow members and staff at HQ. Here’s to many more years of continued success and excellence on our pathway.
Reflections on 35 Years of IIMS from our current President Capt Ruchin Dayal, FIIMS
When I look back at my journey with the International Institute of Marine Surveying,
I realise that it began not with a title or a role, but with a sense of purpose. In 2014, I presented a paper on cargo liquefaction at a packed lecture hall at the IIMS Conference
in London. That moment was formative. The discussion that followed, the engagement from fellow professionals, and the seriousness with which the subject was received gave me a profound sense of meaning. For the first time, I felt truly proud – not just of what I was doing, but of the difference that work could make. In IIMS, I found an organisation that valued integrity, technical rigour, and the courage to speak up when safety was at stake. In many ways, I found my professional inner self.
Over the years, IIMS has evolved dramatically, and in my opinion, one of the most defining moments in its recent history has been Mike Schwarz since he took the helm as CEO. Under his leadership, the Institute has not only grown rapidly but done so with clarity and purpose. The team he has built at Headquarters in Portchester, UK has ensured that IIMS has remained not merely relevant, but ahead of the curve, during what has arguably been the most technically explosive decade our profession has ever experienced.
Digitalisation, new cargo types, remote surveys, cybersecurity, and now artificial intelligence have fundamentally altered how surveying is practiced. Through all of this, IIMS has moved, and continues to move, with the times – adapting, learning, and leading. That gives me great confidence that the Institute will continue to remain relevant well into the future.
As the AI revolution begins to take shape, many within IIMS are already embracing it with open minds. And if the profession must evolve again, as it surely will, I have no doubt that the Institute, and its members, will be ready to evolve with it. At 35 years, IIMS stands not just as an institution, but as a community – one that continues to matter.
IIMS through the ages: 1990 – 2026
1990 – The first International Marine Surveying Conference sponsored by IMarEST and The Nautical Institute was held.
1991 – April – Institute of Marine Surveyors founded. Capt Bill McDonald elected as first President.
1997 – The first issue of The Report magazine published.
1998 – IIMS appointed as a certifying authority by the MCA.
2001 – IIMS celebrates its 10th anniversary.
2002 – Professional qualification distance learning courses launched.
2003 – April – Change of name from ‘Surveyors’ to ‘Surveying’.
2004 – January – John Lawrence appointed CEO. 2007 March – New Zealand branch established.
2008 – February – first IIMS Australasian conference held. 2010 March – Registered office address changed from Gosport to Portchester. Indian Branch launched.
2013 – December – John Lawrence, CEO retires. 2014 January – Mike Schwarz appointed as CEO.
2015 – Registered Marine Coatings Inspector and eCMID Accredited Vessel Inspector programmes launched.
September – first IIMS handy guide published: What a marine surveyor needs to know about enclosed spaces. IIMS presents Jeffery Casciani-Wood with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
2016 – IIMS turns 25 years old and holds a Gala Dinner in London and presents Awards for Excellence. Association of Marine Surveyors of British Columbia merges with IIMS Canada Branch.
May – IIMS Nigeria branch formed.
2017 – February – CPD App launched.
September – IMC Golden Shield Excellence awarded to IIMS for Leading Maritime Training Institute. Mike Schwarz appointed Chair of the MCA certifying authority professional standards working group.
2019 – February – Marine Surveying Search App launched.
November – UAE branch celebrates its 10th anniversary on the QEII in Dubai.
2020 – IIMS purchases Murrills House.
2021 – January – IIMS launches first Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium.
September – IIMS becomes founder member of the Maritime Professional Council of the UK.
2023 – First Mid Month Marine Communiqué broadcast. 2025 IIMS presents Paul Homer with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
2026 – IIMS is 35 years old… we’re looking forward to where we go next.