Handy Guide number 26 published by the Institute

Handy guide 26, ‘What a marine surveyor needs to know about metacentric stability, the inclining experiment, heel and rolling tests’, authored by Elliott Berry FIIMS, covers an area that for many marine surveyors remains something of a dark art. Yet understanding stability and its theory as well as in practical terms as to why a vessel floats is something all surveyors must understand fully.

The handy guide 26 is presented in four distinct parts:
Part 1 – The inclining experiment
Part 2 – A typical inclining experiment report for a steel yacht
Part 3 – An approximate determination of a small vessel’s stability by means of the rolling period tests
Part 4 – The statical stability and stability criteria

An experienced practicing marine surveying practitioner, Elliott presents the theory using a number of formulae backed by helpful diagrams and illustrations to show what the marine surveyor should do and be aware of when conducting inclining experiments and heel tests. Continue reading “Handy Guide number 26 published by the Institute”

Remembering the novelty of face-to-face training

Do you recall those days when we used to get together in a room to do some face-to-face training and networking? It seems an age ago already with Zoom and Teams taking over as the was to train. So, imagine my angst when the planned 7 day practical course at the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis, which had been under development for more than a year, was placed in jeopardy by the pandemic. It was unclear if we could run the event safely until just a couple of weeks prior. But I am delighted to say we managed to get the course away with a reduced number of 6 students.

I spent a day with the students – social distancing and other sensible pandemic measures were in place naturally. As I write, the course has just one more day to run, including the multiple choice testing for students to undergo. Over the week, students have had the chance to get their hands dirty learning skills in the workshops about vessel structure as well as undertaking some practical activities with GRP. Continue reading “Remembering the novelty of face-to-face training”

IIMS releases Marine Surveying International Fest III 2020 speaker details

IIMS releases Marine Surveying International Fest III 2020 speaker details
IIMS releases Marine Surveying International Fest III 2020 speaker details

It’s official – Marine Surveying International Fest III 2020, the ultimate marine surveying online training event, is coming to a screen near you soon! If you are not familiar with the Fest format, now in its third year, it is an annual online only event hosted live by IIMS from Portchester, UK and broadcasting through Zoom with both days starting at 06.00 (London UK time). If you cannot or choose not to join live, there is an option to purchase the entire day’s content in video format to watch at your leisure. The event is open to IIMS members but also to non-members too – all are welcome to join.

Continue reading “IIMS releases Marine Surveying International Fest III 2020 speaker details”

Two free guide available to download in pdf format published by IIMS

Free guide available to download in pdf format published by IIMS
Free guide available to download in pdf format published by IIMS

IIMS has published a new 36-page informative free guide called ‘The use of moisture meters on small craft’. Additionally, the Institute has republished another 16-page free guide entitled ‘Biological Attack on Iron & Steel’.  Both guides, authored by Jeffrey Casciani-Wood HonFIIMS, are available in pdf format from the IIMS website.

The use of moisture meters on small craft
The first thing to know about moisture meters is that they do not actually measure moisture. What they do measure is conductivity. The origins of the moisture meter lie in the building and construction industries and the original scale was based on the water content of brick and stonework. The scale has largely remained unchanged. There are a number of these machines available in the market and they were first introduced into the marine industry for checking how an frp hull had dried over time prior to rebuilding for osmosis treatment and for that they remain a useful tool. They are also used to check for moisture below a surface that looks dry. Continue reading “Two free guide available to download in pdf format published by IIMS”

IIMS Canada Branch Vancouver conference voted a great success

The Lonsdale Quay Hotel hosted the IIMS Canada Branch Conference
The Lonsdale Quay Hotel hosted the IIMS Canada Branch Conference

A group of 40 plus attendees (including online delegates) and marine industry experts gathered for the first full-scale IIMS Canada Branch Vancouver conference on 6/7 March. Judging by the positive feedback from those who attended, the event was a great success.

The Lonsdale Quay Hotel in North Vancouver with its quirky market and food stalls on the ground floor proved to be a highly popular choice of venue and their hospitality team worked hard to satisfy everyone with a non-stop stream of coffee, pastries and savoury food.

Unable to join in person for business reasons, Regional Director, Ed O’Connor, said a few words to open the conference, before inviting Continue reading “IIMS Canada Branch Vancouver conference voted a great success”

Report on the IIMS Baltimore 2020 Conference

Capt Bill Weyant and Bob Kissinger discussing surveyor ethics
Capt Bill Weyant and Bob Kissinger discussing surveyor ethics

Held in Baltimore during late January, the Maritime Institute (MITAGS) once again played host to IIMS for its annual 2020 Baltimore conference visit to the US. The conference has grown in popularity and this one, the first marine surveying conference of the new decade, was the largest so far attracting forty plus delegates, most of whom joined in a real time capacity.

James Renn FIIMS had arranged a first class line up of speakers who presented on a wide range of topics, much appreciated by those who participated.

Having welcomed delegates, James handed over to Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, who gave an overview of the main activities of the Institute. He gave way to Van Macomb, who delivered a succinct presentation on surface coatings for non-skid surfaces. James came back to the podium to continue the theme as he talked about measuring slip resistance in non-skid surfaces. Continue reading “Report on the IIMS Baltimore 2020 Conference”

IIMS plays a leading role in the development of a new Marine Surveyor ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeship scheme now approved by government with funding

ew Marine Surveyor 'Trailblazer' apprenticeship scheme
Marine Surveyor ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeship scheme

IIMS has played a leading role as part of a small but dedicated team that has worked hard over the past two years to develop the framework for an apprenticeship scheme (‘Trailblazer’) for the marine surveying profession in the UK.

The working group has been chaired by Alan Cartwright, Blabey Engineering Ltd, with Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, in attendance from the outset. More recently, Alan Larsen, SCMS, joined the working group to help shape its direction. Di Fitch from John Moores University in Liverpool in conjunction with Mark Aberdein has been ever present and has brought her considerable specialist knowledge in the area of Continue reading “IIMS plays a leading role in the development of a new Marine Surveyor ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeship scheme now approved by government with funding”

METSTRADE set to get bigger still in 2019

The expansion of the METSTRADE trade show is set to continue say the organisers with almost 1,500 companies already signed up including newcomers Suzuki, Nuova Protex, NOCO and Nautinov.

The SuperYacht Pavilion, which was extended to three halls last year, has already sold out and will host 334 exhibitors including first time participants, Inmarsat, Vedder, Pianeta Gemme and LuminellWhile.

Away from the SuperYacht Pavilion, space has been created on the METSTRADE floor for the 2019 event by removing and combining some show items and areas. In recognition of the success of the MaterialDistrict Pop-up and to enable growth for the Construction Material Pavilion, the MaterialDistrict will move to a new area. Continue reading “METSTRADE set to get bigger still in 2019”

Join IIMS in Brisbane for an essential two day workshop on 1 and 2 August

Members and non members from Australia and New Zealand are invited to attend the IIMS two day workshop that has been arranged in Brisbane on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 August 2019. IIMS is grateful to Kedge PYT Ltd for their generous support.

And if you are unable to be there in person, or distance is an issue, you are welcome to join us as an online only delegate via the Zoom platform.

The venue is:
Novotel Brisbane Airport, 6-8 The Circuit, Brisbane Airport QLD 4008, Australia

The cost for both days to include refreshments, tea, coffee and buffet lunch is just AUS$ 275. Attendance at the event earns 5 CPD points. Continue reading “Join IIMS in Brisbane for an essential two day workshop on 1 and 2 August”

Solent University to open the largest maritime simulation centre in the UK

Solent University will open what it claims to be the UK’s largest and most sophisticated maritime simulation centre on its main campus in Southampton.

Part of Solent’s overall investment of more than £40 million into maritime education and training, the new ship and port simulation centre will open its doors for business this June 2019.

“As pioneers in the use of simulation for professional development of ship’s personnel since the 1970s, we are proud to remain at the forefront in delivering specialist higher-level training,” says Lars Lippuner, Head of Commercial Operations at the University’s Warsash Continue reading “Solent University to open the largest maritime simulation centre in the UK”

Western Mediterranean LYSCWG workshop training report

The Western Med Large Yacht & Small Craft Working Group met for its annual training event in Palma last week.

The event, which stretched over three days this year, was attended by 20 surveyors across the various days, all of whom agreed that it was one of the best events IIMS had organised on the island of Majorca. John Excell, Chairman of the LYSCWG, said it had been the best event since the resurrection of the group some seven or eight years previous in terms of the breadth and quality of the content.

John Walker who co-ordinates IIMS activities on the island for the event agreed; and Mike Schwarz thanked all the presenters for giving their time to share their specialist knowledge.

Continue reading “Western Mediterranean LYSCWG workshop training report”

Clipper Ventures has acquired the Hamble School of Yachting

The announcement follows the setting up of Clipper China, Clipper Ventures’ Chinese sail training division aimed to meet the country’s growing participation in offshore sailing.

“The decision to buy the Hamble School of Yachting is part of a wider strategy to develop our offering within the offshore sailing industry,” said Clipper Race chairman and co-founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

“Clipper Ventures is the world’s leading provider of offshore sail training and Continue reading “Clipper Ventures has acquired the Hamble School of Yachting”

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