The reaction I have received following the publication of the 2021 Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium last month has been astonishing and has surprised me. Although the importance of the compendium was apparent to me when compiling it, I had not anticipated the extraordinary feedback that would follow. Clearly this will now become an annual publication. If you have yet to download your free 100-page copy of the compendium in pdf format, you can do so by going to https://bit.ly/3mqDVf4.


We have finalised and announced a selection of training opportunities covering a wide range of surveying topics in the coming weeks that will be of interest to many members, including online seminars in the US and Canada. See inside this bulletin for the detailed events calendar and how you can take part. In particular, I would draw your attention to a couple of upcoming events. The next Marine Corrosion Professional Qualification starts on 11 March 2022. Over 30 delegates joined the programme last year and the course fees have been held for 2022. Full details about this comprehensive qualification can be found at https://bit.ly/39PG3qG. Last year IIMS rolled out remote tonnage training following approval from the MCA. The first programme was a great success and, as a consequence, a number of new tonnage measurers around the world have qualified and are now authorised to undertake this activity through IIMS as a result. The next seminar takes place on 29 March, and you can read more and/or reserve your place at https://bit.ly/3GPBV8k.


You will read in this bulletin about the recent acquisition by IIMS wholly owned subsidiary, the Marine Surveying Academy Ltd, of the assets of the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers. There is certainly a synergy between IIMS and DIAGS (as it is affectionately known). I would encourage you to take a look at the new website – go to https://institutiondiagnosticengineers.org/.


I often think that the majority of the general public have little (or no) idea about what goes on at sea, the complexities of the industry and the inherent dangers - until major disaster strikes when it occasionally becomes headline news for a day or two. So, I was pleased to see a programme broadcast on the BBC recently entitled ‘Why ships crash’. The programme focused mainly on the saga of the Ever Given with some time devoted to the El Faro sinking. Whilst I would have liked to have a seen a wider selection of accidents covered, I believe it was helpful in giving a greater insight into the maritime world for those who take for granted how the goods we need and buy every day reach us.


And finally, I offer my personal congratulations to Capt Nick Soane, an Honorary IIMS Fellow, who I see has been appointed as the new President of the International Salvage Union.


Stay safe and survey well.


Mike Schwarz Chief Executive Officer


IIMS Fellow appointed as new president for International Salvage Union


The Annual General Meeting of the International Salvage Union (ISU) has appointed Captain Nicholas Sloane as its new president with James Herbert selected as next secretary general.


Captain Sloane, a director of international salvage service provider Resolve Marine has taken over as ISU president from Richard Janssen who continues as an ISU executive committee member. Mr Janssen reflected that most of his presidency was during the covid pandemic where ISU rose to the challenge acting as the global voice of the industry including “working on the important issues facing - if not threatening - our sector.”


Captain Sloane, a well-known figure in the salvage industry hails from South Africa and is a Fellow of the Nautical Institute and the International Institute of Marine Surveying. He has a commendable track record in the salvage world after starting his sea career in 1980 in many roles, primarily salvage and towage, rising to become master of the South African super-tugs John Ross and Wolraad Woltemade and then salvage master. His involvement in casualties and wrecks include all classes of ships and oil rigs but probably his most notable, and highest profile reference was leading the team that raised the cruise ship Costa Concordia from the Italian island of Giglio between 2012 and 2014.


Captain Nick Sloane HonFIIMS


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  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26