Membership


Retaining members for any membership organisation is challenging these days and we live in difficult times. But I am pleased to report that IIMS membership has remained stable this year. Some months we tip just over the 1,000 mark, some months just below. We have had the usual churn of membership across the year of about 4%, which is quite normal. A few members have passed away and some have left the industry, but most noticeable this past year is the number of retirees, much higher than in previous years.


New membership applications seem to come in waves. Some months we get one or two, other months many more. But across the year we receive about 130 new applications. Each and every one is reviewed by a member of the Professional Assessment Committee (PAC). They are responsible for ensuring that only those who are suitable to become members are granted membership. We have rejected some applications this year for the simple reason that there is no supporting objective evidence. Most applicants apply for far too many specializations and when asked for some evidence and proof of their competency and experience, they cannot provide anything substantial enough to satisfy the PAC. Capt Chris Kelly and his committee colleagues are to be congratulated for their commitment and valuable work in this area.


Certifying Authority


Under the guidance of David Parsons, supported by Rosie Webb, the IIMS Certifying Authority (CA) has had a remarkably successful year with a significant uplift in income too. To remind you, IIMS is contracted by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) to code commercial boats up to 24 metres. Our fleet size has grown, albeit slowly. But tonnages have grown exponentially, in fact more than doubled. We have authorized several members as tonnage measurers over the year. But it seems there have been other external factors at work in our favour.


Our annual CA external audit was undertaken by the MCA in October. It is fair to say we look forward to this event each year with a bit of trepidation. But the audit was clean with a few findings, but nothing of significance to report. I extend my personal thanks to IIMS CA Chairman, Fraser Noble, who backed by a strong and engaged committee, has done a first-class job.


The MCA is engaged is bringing two new sets of regulations to the sector. The Workboat Code 3 has had a difficult passage towards the statue book and the outcome of the consultation angered a number of surveyors and vessel operators. Those individuals and organisations voiced their opinions loudly across


the year. At the time of writing, the full extent of the new code is not clear, but in the coming weeks the content will be revealed and then we need to train some of our code examiners accordingly who specialize in workboats with details of the new regulations.


In conjunction with this work, the MCA has also been active in bringing the various codes applicable for Sport and Pleasure vessels into one code. IIMS has had a seat at the table as the new code has been formulated. I expect this work to go into formal consultation early in 2024 before formal implementation later in the year.


Professional Qualifications


The Institute has had a progressive year with its two professional qualifications, one in Yacht and Small Craft Marine Surveying, the other in Commercial Ship Surveying. Vicki Loizides continues to run the distance learning programme efficiently helped by the new automated student portal we introduced last year. This year nearly 100 new students have enrolled. Vicki has continued the ongoing process of assessing and reviewing the various modules to ensure they are still fit for purpose in an ever changing technological landscape.


THE REPORT | DEC 2023 | ISSUE 106 | 35


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