Q1. Peter, I know of your keen interest in providing mentoring to new entrants to the surveying business, but before we chat about that, I’d like to understand more about your background. What was it that attracted you to the marine surveying profession in your younger days?
I got into the marine survey industry through a very roundabout journey. I had previous experience as a diesel mechanic, electrician, boilermaker and did an apprenticeship as a flour miller. For example, as an apprentice flour milling manager, I was required to learn every process of the flour mill, from intake of wheat to milling flour. This included learning about the mechanics of the machines, pneumatic, bucket elevators and electrical systems in a flour mill from 415-volt three phase to 240- volt single phase. As part of my apprenticeship, I did coursework that reinforced everything I learned on the job: Flour Milling diploma with City & Guilds London Institute.
I am very curious by nature, so I have often learned how to do things myself, like fixing cars, wiring my own boat, etc. I have always had the ability to problem solve, to logically
work things out, and will give most thing a go. My wife says I have an “encyclopedic mind” because once I have seen or fixed something, I remember what the problem is and what to do to fix it.
I built a fibreglass boat from 1992 to 1995 (Martz craft 35, centre cockpit sailing sloop) then sailed around the world (circumnavigated) for 7 years. With this variety of experience, I was employed as a marine electrician in the Caribbean (St Marteen) and a superyacht captain in the USA on three large vessels from timber to Sanlorenzo and Sunseeker. I also helped other sailors to troubleshoot their boat problems and could usually fix them.
When I returned to Australia in 2003, I started up a business doing electrical and electronics for boats. This was a rewarding but tedious trade and I became tired of crawling around in small spaces on hot yachts. I decided I wanted to “get off the tools” and began to consider what else I could do while still working on and around boats.
I had seen marine survey reports that were poor and lots of things were often missed. I also thought I could
do a better job than what I saw the surveyors doing! I realized I knew a lot about boats and how to build or fix them. Assessing them (surveying) was like the next step.
This type of work excited me and gave me something to work towards. I did the marine surveying course with U.S. based SAMS (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors) and I found a mentor to teach me on the job - that person was the Australian Director for SAMS. Later I met Captain Peter Lambert who I relied on for information and thus he introduced me to IIMS.
Q2. How has the industry evolved and what are the major changes you have witnessed over your time as a surveyor?
• I’ve been a marine surveyor for 23 years. I have seen the industry improve and provide better surveyors, who are more educated and better informed. I also thought that some of them needed mentoring and advice on how to express themselves when writing a report; and generally offered myself for them to seek information from my expertise over the years.
IIMS conference in Brisbane.
Completing a Tonnage Certificate at Maritimo Manufacturing. THE REPORT | MAR 2026 | ISSUE 115 | 151
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 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156
