To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), nine awards categories were created to represent excellence in marine surveying in various disciplines.
The deadline for nominations was 30 June. Following a meeting of the judging panel on 12 July, the nominations have been whittled down to a list of finalists.
The IIMS Silver Jubilee Award winners will be announced and their awards presented at the special 25th Anniversary Conference on 31 August at Regent’s University by Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency.
Outstanding contribution to the yacht and small craft marine surveying industry award
The judges were looking for individuals who had gone beyond the norm in their surveying careers within the small craft sector and who had made a significant contribution to IIMS life over a period of time.
Finalists
• Fraser Noble, McGruer & Co
• Ian Nicolson, Ian Nicolson & Partners
• John Excell, John Excell Marine Surveys
• Paul Homer, Homer Marine Ltd
Marine surveying project of the year award (yacht and small craft)
The judging panel were seeking to find small craft surveyors who had been involved in interesting, unusual, or challenging projects.
Finalists
• Mike Andrews, International Marine Surveys
• Lee Warltier, Sterling Global Marine Ltd
Outstanding contribution to the commercial shipping marine surveying industry award
In this category, the judges were keen to find individuals who have excelled in their careers and who have made a significant contribution to the Institute.
Finalists
• Capt. Khalil Khan, Oceanic Group of Companies
• Capt. Barry Thompson
• Capt. Syed Khalid Humail, Oceanic Surveyors (PVT) Ltd.
Marine surveying project of the year award (commercial shipping)
From the nominations received, the judges were keen to find projects that demonstrated a wow factor and clearly demonstrated the surveyor’s in depth knowledge of his subject.
Finalists
• Capt. Andrew Korek, Phoenix Marine Services Inc
• Capt. Zarir Irani, Constellation Marine Services
• Peter Broad, Broadreach Marine
Rising star award
The judges were looking to find someone who is still learning his/her craft as a surveyor, or a younger surveyor who is making waves in the industry.
Finalists
• Lee Warltier, Sterling Global Marine Ltd
• Capt. Delzin Irani, Constellation Marine Services
• Paul Lockhart, Lockhart Marine Surveys
Most effective use of social media award
The panel looked for evidence to see how the use of social media is being routinely utilised to assist the finalists’ businesses.
Finalists
• Steve Truss, Insight Marine Surveys Ltd
• Nick Fieldhouse, Fieldhouse Marine Surveys
• JG-Marine
Customer focus award
In this category, the judges looked to find examples to show how a strong ethos of customer service is embedded into the business.
Finalists
• Uday Moorthi, Quest Marine
• Chris Moody, Swanwick Yacht Surveyors
• Capt. Zarir Irani, Constellation Marine Services
Best web site award
The judges looked at how aesthetically pleasing each site was, but also considered the depth and relevance of content, functionality, how they graded against each other and how well optimised the sites were for search engines.
Finalists
• Andrea Carlevaris, ACP Surveyors
• Gary Miller, Miller Marine
• Chris Olsen, Olsen Marine
Innovation award
In this hotly contested category, the panel were keen to find the three most innovative and novel products, or services likely to have an impact on the maritime community now and in the future.
Finalists
• Mines Rescue Marine – Enclosed Space Management System
• Sky-Futures
• Ocean Signal AIS system
The judging panel was made up as follows:
Chairman: Mike Schwarz, IIMS Chief Executive Officer
Bridget Hogan: Director of Publishing & Marketing, Nautical Institute
Niamh Cullen: Director, Hoot Marketing
Fraser Noble: FIIMS & Chairman of the IIMS Certifying Authority
Lee Warltier: MIIMS
Jeremy Knight: AssocIIMS & CEO of Clipper Ventures Plc
Capt Andrew Korek: MIIMS & Regional Director IIMS Canada
