Conferences and training
2023 proved to be a busy year for training with a number of events held across the world, which were well supported. After a gap of several years, we resurrected the annual Conference and AGM as a hybrid event in June at Southampton. A number of members joined us for the AGM and following seminar presentations in person. Others appeared via Zoom. The quality of the presentations was top quality covering such important topics as marine corrosion and lithium-ion battery technology. Perhaps the high point was the Conference Dinner, which was held on a sunny summer’s evening at Chilworth Manor, near Southampton. Over 50 guests joined us for what proved to be a memorable event.
North America saw IIMS deliver two events. The annual Baltimore gathering always proves to be popular and James Renn put together a superb programme. Earlier in the year, the IIMS Canada Committee had organized half a day of training to follow their AGM. The presence of Luc Tremblay from Transport Canada was most welcome.
In September, I accepted an invitation and was honoured to represent IIMS at the 30th anniversary of the Marine Surveyors Association of Bangladesh (MSAB) in Chattogram. It was a long way to go for a one day conference, but I am glad I made the trip, not least as it gave me the opportunity to speak openly with the Director of Shipping.
Exhibiting at the KORMARINE exhibition in Busan, South Korea was an experience and to have the opportunity to put IIMS on the international stage at such a prestigious event was welcome.
Our annual gathering at Palma, Mallorca, in April attracted more delegates than usual. My thanks to local surveyor, John Walker, for helping to put together a quality speaker programme. We’ll be back there in 2024.
In mid-year, we ran our first online only seminar for members in Australia and New Zealand. The event attracted 80 registrants and proved to be a fruitful day. A wide range of topics were presented and discussed. My thanks to AMSA, the Australian maritime regulator, for putting up two speakers and my further thanks to Mick Uberti and others locally for facilitating the event.
In the UK we organised several training seminars at various locations. Our spring and autumn training events for yacht and small craft surveyors both drew large audiences, mostly online. In April under the guidance of Fraser Noble, a one day heel test training event drew both coding examiners and general surveyors in their numbers to Haslar Marina, Gosport.
Paul Homer and I have continued to host and deliver the quarterly three hour online report writing seminar. These continue to attract large audiences, notably from new students, sometimes as many as 50 delegates each session.
Our annual inland waterways training event for narrowboat surveyors took place in Nottingham and was an excellent day with an opportunity to look around some of the vessels and workshop facilities at the marina. Thanks Chris Williams for his organisational skills and help.
In November I ventured to Scotland, the first time for several years, to meet members and to help deliver training. The event attracted nearly 20 delegates, the best turn out I can recall. We spent a day doing some practical and theory heel test training before meeting on the second day at The Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club in Rhu near Helensburgh for a day of presentations. Listening to Ian Nicolson (for the second time this year) delivering his surveying masterclass based on his 75 years’ experience was a delight. Quite remarkable for a nonagenarian. We also enjoyed an informal dinner in Helensburgh – a chance to network.
The roll out of our first practical four day residential surveying course in November at Lyme Regis was something of a personal triumph. I have long advocated the chance for those who are new to surveying to be able to get some hands-on experience. Over the course of the event, the 12 delegates got the chance to forensically survey several boats and to complete a report assignment test for subsequent review. My thanks to David Pestridge, Geoff Waddington and Chris Olsen who were present to ensure fair play and to keep an eye on the delegates, advising and guiding where necessary. The success of this event means we will repeat it.
36 | ISSUE 106 | DEC 2023 | THE REPORT
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