The month of April yields brighter skies and new optimism

A family on the tug boat 'Whitby Crest'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.

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The inner workings of the Royal Huisman superyacht yard

Royal Huisman's recently launched Ngoni
Royal Huisman’s recently launched Ngoni

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.

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Captain David (Dave) Green, Master Mariner, obituary

Captain Dave GreenSad 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.

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Special IIMS enclosed space entry course

Picture from the enclosed space entry courseOf 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.

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IIMS extends its range of handy guides with two new publications

Small craft Engine Surveys guideIn 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.

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IIMS LYSCWG set to visit the Royal Huisman yard in Holland

Drone shot of the Royal Huismann YardThe 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.

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The death of Captain Ieuan Lampshire-Jones has been announced

 Captain Ieuan Lampshire-Jones next to the Southeast AlaskaWith 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

A moored sailing boatFirstly 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.

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New IIMS Membership Secretary appointed

Camella Robertson has been appointed as the new IIMS Membership Secretary to succeed Jan Cox
Camella Robertson has been appointed as the new IIMS Membership Secretary to succeed Jan Cox

The search to find and recruit a replacement for the popular current IIMS membership Secretary, Jan Cox, has reached its conclusion. Jan, who formally retires from the Institute in February after many years’ service, was herself part of the interview process to find her successor. Two excellent candidates emerged as front-runners following the first round of interviews. Both were invited back for second and final meetings.

IIMS is delighted to announce that Camella (Cam) Robertson is the new Membership Secretary and will formally take up her new position on Monday 9 January 2017. Cam will work side by side with Jan for six weeks to enable her to learn about the role in depth. Cam brings with her a wealth of experience in managing a membership organisation, general administration and event management too. For the past four years, she has been Club Manager at the Royal Naval Club and Royal Albert Yacht Club, located in nearby Portsmouth.

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The magnitude of what we do

METSRADE ShowIt is a while since I last posted to my blog here. In truth, my time has not been my own since the IIMS London Conference on the first day of September. There are busy fools of course and people who are busy with a purpose. I certainly identify with the latter. The past couple of months have seen IIMS meeting, training and sharing knowledge with dozens of marine surveyors, both members as well as others in the marine world.

Only after the delivery of a presentation, or a paper, does the magnitude of what we do or say become apparent as the audience assesses and gives feedback. But what exactly do I mean by that? In my role as CEO of IIMS I have a duty to think carefully before I speak, to ensure I strike the right chord and to deliver a message that is relevant. It is a responsibility I take very seriously and I always check and double check my content before releasing it in whatever format.

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IIMS Small Craft Working Group 2016 ‘super’ training day report

Conference Delegates sat in a room Over 30 yacht and small craft surveyors converged on Boathouse No.4 at the iconic Portsmouth Historic Dockyard for the 2016 ‘super’ training day on Monday 24 October and were joined by half a dozen more who came to the event remotely using video conferencing.

Chairman of yacht and small craft surveying, John Excell, welcomed guests to the day and particularly thanked Cygnus Instruments Ltd and Matrix Insurance Ltd for their generous sponsorship support of the day.

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