IIMS News

Capt Zarir Irani takes over as President of the International Institute of Marine Surveying

Posted on by News Hound
IIMS would like to express their thanks to Adam, who travelled to the event in London especially from Australia, for his sterling work over the past two years.
IIMS would like to express their thanks to Adam, who travelled to the event in London especially from Australia, for his sterling work over the past two years.

Capt Zarir Irani (pictured right) took over the role of IIMS President from Adam Brancher (pictured left) in a simple ceremony at the Annual General Meeting on 26th June held at Heathrow Airport, London, UK.

IIMS would like to express their thanks to Adam, who travelled to the event in London especially from Australia, for his sterling work over the past two years. He was presented with a miniature President’s medal as a memento and a tippling stick in recognition of his service.

In his final address as President, Adam reflected on how proud he was to have held the position for the past two years and as he looked Continue reading “Capt Zarir Irani takes over as President of the International Institute of Marine Surveying”

Rules and regulations – love them or hate them

Posted on by CEO

A Shogun boatRules and regulations seem to be very much the flavour of this month. The three recent ones I’d like to draw your attention to particularly and mention in a bit more detail are the looming EU General Data Protection Regulation, International Maritime Organization’s strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships and the new Yacht Code under development by the Red Ensign Group. And whilst not all three launch this month, it is the fact that such diverse bits of regulation should be in the news together, reminding me of the wide range of skills a marine surveyor needs to master (or at least have a grip on) as business knowledge combines with technical knowledge and maritime regulation to potentially create the perfect storm. Many a marine surveying business has failed, not due to a lack of technical skills, but an inability to embrace core business management skills and the associated red tape.

Continue reading “Rules and regulations – love them or hate them”

Hugo Du Plessis HonMIIMS obituary

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Image of Huge De PleissThe sad death of Hugo Du Plessis has been announced at the age of 94. Expert yacht surveyor and author of a guide to fibreglass boat construction and maintenance, Hugo had been an Honorary member of IIMS for some years.

Highly regarded in the cruising world, Hugo was an experienced sailor. Born in 1923, he and his sister were home educated before he went on to boarding school and then to Southampton University where he studied electronics.

Hugo was just 16 when the Second World War broke out and he served with his father, Gerald, in the Boldre Platoon Home Guard.

Growing up in the English New Forest, Hampshire, in close proximity to the Beaulieu and Lymington rivers, his love of boats was born. Many happy hours were spent negotiating the low tide mudflats in various craft from a Sharpie to a canoe before he eventually purchased his first yacht, Crimson Rambler.

Continue reading “Hugo Du Plessis HonMIIMS obituary”

Surveying Sails by Ian Nicolson handy guide released for publication

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IIMS Surveying Sails guideWhat a Marine Surveyor Needs to Know About Surveying Sails by Ian Nicolson has been published.

Author, Ian Nicolson, was a doughty pioneer in the field of ocean cruising in his early years. He emigrated by sail in 1952 to Vancouver, Canada. He returned to Britain by hitchhiking across Canada and building himself a small wooden yacht cruiser near Halifax, which he sailed home singlehanded across the Atlantic in 1954. He continues to sail regularly.

Having written more than 20 books and many articles on design, construction, operation and handling of small marine craft, Ian is perfectly placed to apply his knowledge and experience to the subject of sail surveying. The aim of the Surveying Sails handy guide is to give a comprehensive overview of the skills and knowledge required by a marine surveyor to satisfactorily undertake this important task.

Continue reading “Surveying Sails by Ian Nicolson handy guide released for publication”

UK Transport Secretary proposes Maritime 2050 vision

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UK Transport Secretary proposes Maritime 2050 vision
UK Transport Secretary proposes Maritime 2050 vision

Speaking at the UK Chamber of Shipping’s Annual Dinner, Chris Grayling MP, UK Secretary of State for Transport, contributed to a “radical” vision that will support the nation’s maritime industry for the future.

The UK Government will cooperate with industry bodies and businesses, and will publish a call for evidence that will provide a framework for engagement. An expert panel will also be appointed, Mr Grayling said.

“We need a clear path for the future, we need a strong partnership between this industry and government – and we’re calling it Continue reading “UK Transport Secretary proposes Maritime 2050 vision”

The World LPG Association puts the focus on marine in a new report

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The World LPG Association puts the focus on marine in a new report
The World LPG Association puts the focus on marine in a new report

The World LPG Association (WLPGA), with its continued commitment to cleaner environment, has issued a report “LPG for Marine Engines – The Marine Alternative Fuel”, dedicated to the use of LPG in the marine sector.

With upcoming stricter IMO emission rules, the global 0.5 sulphur cup, ECAS and SECAs emission limits and the requirements for higher quality fuel, it is inevitable that there will be a radical change in shipping fuel options from HFO to cleaner alternatives. Amongst the options, LPG is one of the promising solutions for the reduction of exhaust emissions from marine vessels. LPG as a clean and immediately available energy source, is characterised by low particle emissions, low NOx (nitrogen oxide) and nearly zero SOx (sulphur oxide) emissions, offering significant environmental advantages while meeting all energy and environmental challenges.

The WLPGA report aims to open the doors for LPG as the next marine alternative fuel. The report contains a wealth of information, data and compelling arguments in support of using LPG as the fuel of choice in marine vessels. It also promotes the understanding of Continue reading “The World LPG Association puts the focus on marine in a new report”

Meeting IIMS members is so rewarding

Posted on by CEO
Delegates participating in the IIMS 5th biennial UAE branch conference
Delegates participating in the IIMS 5th biennial UAE branch conference

November. Now where did that go? Ah yes I remember – it vanished in something of a whirl. From one training event and seminar to another. Hugely rewarding for me personally though I have to say and I was delighted to meet so many members, both at the UK events and at the UAE Branch Conference over the course of the month. I have learnt a great deal, which for a highly non-technical person such as me is probably a dangerous thing! However, it occurred to me that if I did, then so did our members too. Certainly the positive feedback would suggest that to be the case.

We have just released dates for our tentative training programme for 2018 and the schedule is published elsewhere in this bulletin. In Continue reading “Meeting IIMS members is so rewarding”

We are never too old as a month of learning opportunities looms

Posted on by CEO
The IIMS web site attracted a record number of unique visitors recently
The IIMS web site attracted a record number of unique visitors recently

The month of November is looming large and for IIMS that means a busy month of training, seminars and a Conference too. Yes the coming weeks will see IIMS personnel out and about meeting members from all over the UK and further afield too. I recommend the programme of events we have put together for your benefit over the coming weeks and hope to meet many members at them. And remember if you cannot be there in person, some of the events you can attend in an online capacity using the Zoom option. Full details about the upcoming events can be found elsewhere on the web site.

But in brief, we kick off with the Large Yacht & Small Craft Working Group Scotland two day training event by Glasgow Airport on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 November. This is rapidly followed by the Large Yacht & Small Craft Working Group ‘Super’ training day near Portsmouth a week later on Monday 13 November. The week after sees the Certifying Authority two day training event taking place in Continue reading “We are never too old as a month of learning opportunities looms”

IIMS and BSSA to deliver a special one day seminar entitled Marine Corrosion and its Prevention in Small Vessels

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Lifeboat being lifted into the boatyardIIMS has joined forces with the British Stainless Steel Association (BSSA) to deliver an essential one day seminar called ‘Marine Corrosion and its Prevention in Small Vessels’. The day’s seminar programme will be delivered by Dr Mike Lewus, Technical Advisor, BSSA on Tuesday 23 January 2018 at Lakeside, North Harbour, near Portsmouth commencing at 09.00. Delegates who cannot be there in person may join online live via Zoom. IIMS was so impressed with Mike when he spoke at the London Conference on the same topic, that they have engaged him to expand his presentation into a whole day’s seminar. And this is the result.

Continue reading “IIMS and BSSA to deliver a special one day seminar entitled Marine Corrosion and its Prevention in Small Vessels”

Tempus Fugit – well it has for me!

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Yes I know I look ridiculous; but I could not resist trying the tin hat on at the Cabinet War Rooms
Yes I know I look ridiculous; but I could not resist trying the tin hat on at the Cabinet War Rooms

The past month has flown by and what a progressive month it has been, in fact a non-stop merry go round at times!

The IIMS Conference in London, Dinner and the AGM at Regent’s University were all successful, but I was saddened by the low number of members who came to London this year. As a consequence of the poor turn out, the management board has reassessed the future role of the London Conference and an announcement will be made soon. But for those who did attend, what a treat they had over the two days. I personally thought the presentations were not only relevant but also of the highest quality, delivered by people who were both knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects. You can watch any or all of the 10 videos that we made over the two days on the IIMS YouTube channel. And what a venue we chose for our Conference dinner. On reflection, the Churchill Cabinet War Rooms proved to be an inspirational choice, much enjoyed by those who attended.

Continue reading “Tempus Fugit – well it has for me!”

IIMS scoops Golden Shield award for its education programme

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The Golden Shield CertificteThe IIMS distance learning commercial ship and yacht and small craft education programmes were recently nominated for an Award in the International Maritime Club’s Golden Shield Excellence Awards 2017 in the ‘Leading Maritime Training Institute’ category. And at the ceremony itself on Friday 15 September 2017 at the Lloyd’s Old Library in London, IIMS was announced as the winner in this category.

Vice President, Capt Zarir Irani, accompanied by Allen Brink, stepped in for IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, to receive the award. Continue reading “IIMS scoops Golden Shield award for its education programme”

Midsummer madness

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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.

Continue reading “Midsummer madness”

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