IIMS has released three new handy guides for sale on the subject of insurance damage surveys. The
series of ‘What a marine surveyor needs to know about’ now boasts sixteen titles in total following
the launch of these new handy guides, all of which have been written by the doyen of marine
surveyors, Capt Barry Thompson. View full press release.
IIMS News
Midsummer madness

Life at IIMS is always challenging. Trying to keep nearly 1,000 members, who work in every conceivable area of marine surveying in its broadest sense, content is never a simple task. So I have been particularly pleased to have heard from a large number of members on three counts in the past month. Firstly, I am grateful that members took the opportunity to write and tell me what a great edition number 80 of The Report magazine was. Indeed some said the best they had ever read. I cannot disagree. It was, in my opinion, a comprehensive publication touching many areas of your profession. If you have not read it, I encourage you to do so by clicking this link.
The second cause for member reaction followed the launch of Version II of the IIMS CPD App. A small handful of members have reported one or two issues with the iOS version, so if you are having problems, please let head office know. But putting that aside, a good number of members have written to say how much they appreciate this development to what was an age old problem.
More herrings than you can throw a fish at

Sometimes in my role as CEO, I find myself in the unlikeliest of places doing the strangest things. This was true just a couple of week ago and I am grateful to IIMS member, Jacek Goszczynski, who is based in Poland for inviting me to visit Szczecin to participate in the annual ‘Herring Gathering’. This event attracts over 2,000 people for an evening of celebration in the city of Szczecin in the north of the country. I found myself interacting with shipowners, hull insurance brokers, underwriters, educationalists and London P&I Club representatives. What a night and of course all in celebration of the humble herring – indeed I have never seen so many herrings in one place before, but I have acquired the taste.
Planning has been the name of the game recently at IIMS. We have a Large Yacht & Small Craft Super Training day coming up in November and the final finishing touches are being put to that. But more of that in the coming weeks. I am thrilled to announce that we have arranged a three day seminar in Singapore and I very much look forward to welcoming members, eCMID accredited vessel inspectors and anyone involved in the marine sector who would like to participate from 31 July to 2 August. We have a cracking couple of days lined up. For full details click here.
Continue reading “More herrings than you can throw a fish at”
The month of April yields brighter skies and new optimism

As we emerge from winter and go full into Spring in the UK, I become fully energised at this time and the passing of the years does not diminish this. As we emerge from the gloom of winter, the weather improves, daylight hours get longer, I can cycle in the late evening sunshine and my life changes with the changing seasons.
Setting this new found optimism against a darkening international political backdrop slightly takes the edge off things for sure. These are worrying times. We are all watching what is happening in the world closely I am sure. It leads me to question if there are implications for the marine surveying sector specifically? I suspect not however. Many surveyors already work in highly dangerous locations across the world and in difficult circumstances too, performing their important and challenging roles. But if I have one message it is to be safe in your work and to ensure you risk assess carefully.
Continue reading “The month of April yields brighter skies and new optimism”
The inner workings of the Royal Huisman superyacht yard

IIMS arranged a visit for a dozen members and non-members to the Royal Huisman superyacht yard in Vollenove, Netherlands on 6 and 7 April, followed by half a day’s training on day two.
The yard visit, which had been planned for some months, was hailed a great success by those who attended. To see and understand at first hand the challenges and high skills required to produce these iconic craft was a privilege indeed.
Continue reading “The inner workings of the Royal Huisman superyacht yard”
Captain David (Dave) Green, Master Mariner, obituary

Sad news has reached IIMS that long standing member, Captain David (Dave) Green, who was recognised for his significant contribution to the Institute with Honorary Membership, has passed away.
Capt Ian Wilkins MM FNI HonMIIMS, pays tribute to his friend and has written this fitting obituary.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Captain David (Dave) Green peacefully at home on Sunday 26th March.
Continue reading “Captain David (Dave) Green, Master Mariner, obituary”
Special IIMS enclosed space entry course

Of all those who board ships and need enclosed space entry, the surveyors are most at risk. In many cases the spaces they are about to enter are an unknown entity, therefore they are totally dependent on the ship’s management team having these spaces properly prepared with a trained rescue party adequately equipped and standing by.
It is now a matter of record that ships have more incidents, accidents and fatalities involving enclosed spaces than any other component of the marine sector. These accidents and subsequent fatalities are predominantly the result of people entering, working in, or ironically attempting rescue from those spaces.
IIMS extends its range of handy guides with two new publications

In recent weeks, IIMS has released two new handy guides in the series ‘What a Marine Surveyor needs to know about‘ bringing the total number of publications to twelve.
What a marine surveyor needs to know about small craft engine surveys
Many marine surveyors consider the survey of the machinery to be outside the scope of a pre-purchase or insurance survey and simply ignore it. Small Craft Engine Surveys is designed to give the marine surveyor who has limited experience of machinery surveys sufficient knowledge and confidence to enable him or her to understand both what and the implications of what is involved.
Author: Elliott Berry
ISBN: 978-1-911058-11-3
Size: 168 pages Continue reading “IIMS extends its range of handy guides with two new publications”
The year has started with a bang!

Already we are one month down in 2017 and things are busy at IIMS head quarters! The first few weeks have seen so much activity. Camella Robertson has joined to replace the soon to retire Jan Cox as Membership Secretary. Cam to her friends is settling in well at what is a busy time of the year for membership.
Already we have delivered two great, well attended training events. I relish the opportunity to get out and meet members, but equally non-members to talk about the work we are doing at IIMS and in particular the resources that are available to surveyors of all persuasions. Ultimately it is about helping great surveyors to become even greater by sharing all this mine of knowledge and expertise.
IIMS LYSCWG set to visit the Royal Huisman yard in Holland

The recently formed IIMS Large Yacht & Small Craft Working Group is pleased to announce another training event and has been fortunate to secure an opportunity to visit the Dutch superyacht builder, Royal Huisman yard at Vollenhove in the Netherlands.
Royal Huisman has built some of the most iconic, striking and stylish craft to set to sea in recent years. They boast a facility of 30,000 square metres, which houses the modern equipment and infrastructure required for large custom yacht building and refitting. This state-of-the-art facility, set in Holland’s internationally renowned concentration of specialist maritime businesses, includes many advanced design and engineering software programmes for rapid communication with clients and the design team on systems design, engineering and construction processes. Naval architects and designers have access to the people with the experience, expertise and specialist skills that will enable them to realise their vision in the most intricate detail. IIMS has been granted permission to bring a group to the facility and this is a unique opportunity to have a look into their exciting and dynamic world at close quarters.
Continue reading “IIMS LYSCWG set to visit the Royal Huisman yard in Holland”
The death of Captain Ieuan Lampshire-Jones has been announced

With deepest regrets and sadness I have to inform you all that on 30th of December, 2016 our esteemed colleague, friend and mentor Captain Ieuan Lampshire-Jones sailed away peacefully to Fiddler’s Green at the age 94. Captain Jones was one of the original founding members of the Association of Marine Surveyors of British Columbia and he has played a crucial and supporting role in the amalgamation process between AMSBC and the International Institute of Marine Surveying and in subsequent formation of the IIMS Canada Regional Branch.
Captain Ieuan Lampshire-Jones was born in a small village in Wales (Aberarth), Captain Jones followed in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great grandfather by choosing a career at sea. “You had three choices: farmer, preacher or seaman,” said Jones. He joined his first merchant ship, the Lottie Rolfe (part Continue reading “The death of Captain Ieuan Lampshire-Jones has been announced”
Time for reflection at the end of an inspiring year

Firstly let me pass on my season’s greetings to all IIMS members who celebrate Christmas. May you have a peaceful and joyous holiday time.
The past twelve months have been memorable and I believe when we look back in time and reflect on 2016, our silver jubilee anniversary year, we will look back fondly and with pride. At a recent meeting with the head office team, I took the opportunity to share our achievements as an organisation and I think we were all genuinely surprised at what has happened over the past 52 weeks! It is always, in my opinion, important to recognise how far one has come before setting out one’s stall for the period ahead. Some of the things that go on behind the scenes at IIMS are not important to the wider world, but make a world of difference to the team – the installation of fast broadband, new PCs and a brand new server, for example, have transformed the way we work and our productivity this past year. And our progress as we embrace new technology and turn it to our members’ advantage is very pleasing.
Continue reading “Time for reflection at the end of an inspiring year”