News Bulletins

View the news bulletin in full to continue reading: IIMS-News-Bulletin-March-2021 (pdf format) or click to read it in eReader format.

Let me begin by welcoming the newest member of our team. Vicki Loizides starts as Education Co-ordinator with effect from 1 March to replace Lorna Robinson, who has left to take up a new challenge.

My colleagues and I have been amazed by the number and quality of new membership applications that have reached us during January and February – far beyond what we would expect to see or regard as normal. It seems we will be keeping the Professional Assessment Committee busy in the coming weeks! Our first Certifying Authority seminar of 2021 attracted a large online audience. Many who attended were examiners who code with authorities other than the IIMS. I am grateful to our CA Chairman, Fraser Noble and also Rob Taylor, Code Vessel Lead, who spoke on behalf of the UK maritime regulator, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.

Since announcing the launch of our new Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion just last month, I have been delighted with the number of expressions of interest we have received so far. If you missed the announcement, please do have a look at what this standalone qualification has to offer you. It aims to give surveyors an in depth understanding of corrosion. Click for full details about the ten qualification modules and how to express your interest.

View the news bulletin in full to continue reading: News Bulletin February 2021 (pdf format) or click to read it in eReader format.

In the past month the UK has faced challenges post Brexit. Ross Wombwell spoke in January about the complexities of the RCD post Brexit. If you missed it, a copy of Ross’ video is available to purchase But IIMS and some of our coding examiners face a bigger challenge. News reached us that the Croatian government is allegedly excluding British flagged vessels under 24 metres from operating commercial charters in their waters post Brexit. Such action will lead to a loss of business for many surveyors and is a concern. IIMS has brought this matter to the UK government.

The recent two-day online US Conference was a great success. Thanks to James Renn for arranging a quality line up of. Check out the videos on YouTube.

IIMS has announced a new Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion. You can read full details in the bulletin, but in short it is a 10 module programme, delivered over 10 half day by an expert in the field of corrosion. Corrosion remains the bedrock of what a surveyor must understand and this professional qualification has been tailored to meet that need.

And don’t forget to check out our latest handy guide, the twenty sixth we have published.

Welcome to 2021. Although some members enjoyed a successful trading year, 2020 is best forgotten and consigned to the history books in my opinion.

This year marks the 30th anniversary since the inception of IIMS. Sadly, we will not be able to commemorate this landmark with face-to-face celebrations as was my original plan. But we are aiming to put together a two-day online celebration in June to mark the occasion. This will coincide with the AGM, so keep an eye out for further details soon.

A new year brings new training opportunities. At the time of writing, Brexit negotiations are still on a knife edge. But I am delighted that Ross Wombwell has agreed to deliver a webinar on 20 January entitled Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and CE marking – what we know post Brexit so far.

James Renn has done a great job in assembling a first class line up of seventeen speakers for the IIMS US Conference on 22/23 January. Make sure you do not miss this opportunity to be part of a great event and get some CPD points in your bank early in the year!

View the news bulletin in full to continue reading: News Bulletin January 2021 (pdf format) or click to read it in eReader format.

The news from IIMS headquarters in the past month has been distressing and sad to report. Just as we headed into a scheduled four week lockdown period imposed by the UK Government on 3 November, COVID-19 was unwittingly brought into the IIMS offices. Just two days prior, the local council inspector had praised us for our COVID-19 secure working environment following his unannounced visit. But such is the virulent nature of this awful disease, that it is no respecter of any boundaries, or measures put into place seemingly to try and prevent it.

Seven of my colleagues, including myself, were infected within a matter of hours. I labour the point only to highlight that this is a miserable and debilitating disease which is best avoided at all costs! Do all you can to protect yourself from it.

Editing the Report Magazine is, as I am often heard to say, one of the favourite parts of my job. Over the years the output of the publication has developed as the scope of articles has widened. The December edition, number 94, is published today. Click here to access the publication in either pdf or eReader format. In my opinion, it is the most complete publication IIMS has published to date and, at 116 pages, sets a new record as the biggest one ever too.

View the news bulletin in full to continue reading: IIMS News Bulletin December 2020 (pdf format) or click to read it in eReader format.