2010 ANNUAL DINNER

he had undoubtedly made a significant contribution to maritime safety and the protection of the maritime environment. Te certificate of Honorary Fellowship

was presented to Eſthimios Mitropoulos by the Institution’s senior Honorary Fellow, HRH Te Duke of Edinburgh. In his response, the Secretary General

congratulated the Institution on its 150th anniversary, a truly remarkable achievement and testimony to an institution that has manifestly succeeded in maintaining its vitality and continued relevance in the face of massive changes that have taken place over such a long period of time. He expressed his profound personal honour at being elected an Honorary Fellow, but also stated that he was fully aware that the honour conferred on him that evening was a tribute to the International Maritime Organization, which he had had the privilege to serve for many years. Terefore; on behalf of all the Member States of the Organization, as well as the rest of the extended IMO family of international organizations and secretariat staff, he offered a sincere and heartfelt “thank you”.

David Moorhouse

The President introduced David Moorhouse, Chairman of Lloyd’s Register, as the first speaker for the evening. In welcoming David Moorhouse, the President said that the links between the

Principal speaker – David Moorhouse.

The IMO Secretary General receives his certificate of election as an Honorary Fellow.

Institution and Lloyd’s Register dated back to 1860, when the Institution was formed at a meeting in London on the evening of 16 January. Eighteen persons were present at that meeting, including two Lloyd’s Register surveyors. He noted that this year, Lloyd’s Register celebrated the 250th anniversary of their founding in 1760. In opening his speech, David

Moorhouse observed that it was not possible to get to be 150 years old without the ability to make a cont inuous contribution to the maritime community, a contribution that adds real value. He noted that such an achievement has required this Institution to evolve and develop from a domestic based organisation to one that spans the increasingly volatile global maritime environment in which both the Institution and Lloyd’s Register work. Nonetheless, he was sure that the Institution would continue to value the UK component of its membership, the component in which its reputation was forged, the reputation which has been key element in its international success. He went on to express his concern that without a strong domestic capability, from which its reputation was also derived and people’s perception of it also created, the UK is in danger of loosing its leading position in the advancement of ship design and ship science.

8

The President’s Speech

In his speech, the President 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 – noting that perhaps they were, in spirit if not in body – would they recognise the Institution they founded, and would they approve of the changes? He looked at some of the changes which the Institution had experienced, to its membership, its activities, including its publications and conferences and most of all in the development of its internationalism.

The President addresses the Annual Dinner.

RINA Affairs May 2010 Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13