MAY 2010

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S COLUMN

T

he AGM and the Annual Dinner last month provided the opportunity to look back at the Institution’s achievements. At the AGM, in his last Report to

members, the President highlighted the achievements over the past three years, noting that they were the Institution’s achievements and not his. Te full text of his Report is published in this issue of RINA Affairs and on the website. At the Annual Dinner, the President looked back at the

changes to the Institution over the past 150 years. He reflected on how the founding fathers of the Institution would view the changes which have occurred since 1860. He wondered if John Scott Russell, Edward Reed, Nathaniel Barnaby and the other 15

who formed the Institution of Naval Architects were at the Dinner –perhaps they were, in spirit if not in body! – would they recognise the Institution they founded, and would they approve of the changes? Te Institution’s mission statement in 1860 – although perhaps the founding fathers would not

recognise the term – was to “promote and facilitate the exchanges and discussion of scientific and technical developments, and thereby to improve the design of ships”. In 1860, that was achieved mainly through the publication of papers in the Institution’s Transactions. Tat mission statement remains equally valid today, when it is achieved through the Institution’s publications and conferences. Since 1860, the Institution has published over 6000 papers, either in the Transactions or conference proceedings, and today, the Transactions and conference papers are complemented by the up-to-date reporting of developments in the global maritime industry in the Institution’s leading technical journals. Te Institution’s first conference was held in London on 1 March 1860, and included papers on

new Tonnage laws and fuel economy – no change there! – today, the Institution’s conferences are held worldwide. For many members, the opportunity to meet with other maritime professionals at local Branch meetings represents one of the greatest benefits of membership. Over the past 150 years, the number of branches has increased to 22 Branches now in 16 countries. Te President noted that in 1860, there were no student members. Today, the Institution has

links through the membership of staff and students with over 60 universities worldwide. Te founding members would surely applaud the Institution’s priority of engaging with those about to enter or newly entered into the maritime industry. In 1860, the Institution sought to influence such issues as ship design, maritime safety and the

protection of the maritime environment from its base in the UK – although the environment was not perhaps such a priority in 1860 as it is in 2010. Its aim of “improving ship design” was perhaps made easier by the UK’s dominant position in shipbuilding. Today, the Institution still seeks to influence such issues, but on a global scale. It does this through its international membership, through its agreements of co-operation with many national professional and through its close links with industry. Te Institution also contributes its collective expertise in such forums as the International Maritime Organisation. Te history of the Institution over the last 150 years is reflected in the development of the

design and construction of marine vessels and structures, and indeed the maritime industry as a whole. Te Institution can rightly and proudly claim to have made a significant contribution to that development, both collectively as an international organisation and individually through the work of its members. I am sure you would agree that that John Scott Russell, Edward Reed, Nathaniel Barnaby and the others who formed the Institution of Naval Architects in 1860 be proud of their legacy.

Chief Executive

IN THIS ISSUE

2010 AGM

At the 2010 Annual General Meeting, Mr Peter French was elected as the next President of the Institution.

Medals and Prizes were presented to authors of papers published in the 2009 Transactions.

In his Report, the President looked back at the Institution’s achievements over the past three years.

2009 RINA Small Craft Group Medal

The 2009 RINA Small Craft Group Medal has been awarded to a an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to class dinghy and small craft design.

2010 Annual Dinner outstanding

Members, companies and their guests enjoyed the 2010 Annual Dinner at the Lancaster Hotel, London, in the presence of the Institution’s senior Honorary Fellow, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh K.G., K.T.

The Naval Architect wins international award

The 2010 MarineBiz International Maritime Excellence Award for the Best Maritime Media has been presented to The Naval Architect journal.

New Corporate Partners

The Institution welcomes new Corporate partner members in Germany and Serbia.

IJME cited

The International Journal of Maritime Engineering is now included in the leading Science Citation Index ExpandedTM, published by Thomson Reuters.

What is Naval Architecture?

Members’ definitions of Naval Architecture and the Naval Architect are revisited.

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