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r ina
a ffa ir s
JUNE 2009 The Newsletter of the Royal Institution of the Naval Architects
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S COLUMN
IN THIS ISSUE
A
lthough the founding members may not have
recognised the term, the Institution’s ‘mission 2009 AGM
statement’ in 1860 was “to promote and facilitate Resolutions, elections to Council,
the exchange of technical and scientific information, award of prizes and medals and
views and discussion”. That statement remains equally the President’s Address at the 2009
valid in 2009, and providing the access to that up-to-date Annual General Meeting on 30 April
technical information relevant to naval architecture and the are reported in full on page 2.
maritime industry, essential to achieving and maintaining
professional competence, remains one of the most important 2009 SGM
functions of the Institution. For many members, such access Changes to the membership structure
to information is the primary benefit of membership and were approved at the 2009 Special
essential to their continuing professional development General Meeting on 30 April are
described on page 3
What has changed today is the volume of information which is available to those who
are involved in the design, construction and maintenance of marine vessels and structures, 2009 Annual Dinner
and the means by which it is made available to those who search for it. To properly The speeches and awards at the
meet its ‘mission statement’ today, the Institution must provide information that is both Institution’s 2009 Annual Dinner,
credible and readily available to those who seek it. Today, such information is provided held again at the Royal Lancaster
through the Institution’s range of leading international publications, conferences, the Hotel and enjoyed by members,
Internet and local meetings. companies and their guests, are
reported on page 7.
The credibility of the information provided in the institution’s journals and conference
proceedings is, I believe, accepted and valued throughout the global maritime industry. International and National News
Whilst information provided, for example, in company press releases provides a source of Applications are now open for
information, members and readers of the Institution’s journals are reassured to know that travelling Fellowships from the Winston
all editorial in the Institution’s journals is written under the by-line of the Institution’s Churchill Memorial Trust for 2010.
editorial staff or their contributors, often as a result of country or company visits by them. Each year the Trust awards some 100
Editorial in support of advertising is not a feature of the Institution’s journals! Similarly Travelling Fellowships to UK Citizens to
papers published in the Transactions or presented at conferences are always subjected travel overseas to undertake study
to independent peer review. This may require a longer lead time for the Institution’s projects related to their profession,
conferences, compared with its commercial competitors, but is reflected in the quality trade or particular interest.
of its conferences. The Secretary-General of the
International Maritime Organisation
Whilst the demand for greater and more instant access to information has led to its invites nominations for candidates
journals, conference proceedings and Transactions being presented in electronic format, for the International Maritime Prize for
whether online or on CD-ROM, the Institution considers that this format is complementary 2009. - details on page 12
to the printed format – there is a time and place for both, and for the foreseeable future,
the Institution will continue to provide either or both where it is appropriate. For example, People in the News
delegates to conferences will continue to receive the proceedings in printed format, rather Senior members of the Institution in
than CD-ROM – at least until laptops have a battery life of more that 8 hours! the UK and Australia are honoured
The publication of this and future issues of RINA Affairs online, employing the for their achievements – details on
technology used for the journals will allow the development of the Institution’s newsletter page 14
(complemented by its email newsletter - RINA News), not only in its presentation, but The Institution highest professional
also in its content. But as with all the Institution’s activities, it is for the members to judge, honour – the William Froude Medal -
and I would welcome any and all feedback on this and all the Institution’s publications. has been awarded to a distinguished
Scottish Shipbuilder, known and
Chief Executive respected by many members of the
industry – details also on page 14
RA JUNE 09.indd 1 02/06/2009 11:59:54
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