EDITOR’S LETTER


Dear member and fellow maritime professional


Edition 115 of The Report Magazine is a more eclectic mix of content than usual, proving once more what a diverse, fast paced industry we operate in. I am grateful to all those who have contributed to this edition.


Life at IIMS remains hectic as we currently explore a number of new opportunities and continue to seek ways to innovate for the good of our members and others in the surveying profession. But sometimes it is important to step off the treadmill momentarily to remember where we have come from. IIMS is about to celebrate its 35th


birthday. I


could not let this milestone pass by without comment from some of our Presidents, past and present. You can read their collective comments on page 19.


I have chosen to dedicate space to two long and in-depth articles, both very different in subject matter, but both deserving to be published and read. Composed by two IIMS stalwarts, past President, Capt Bertrand Apperry HonFIIMS, has authored Responsibilities of the Designated Person Ashore under the ISM Code (see page 75). Bertrand


has been involved with the ISM Code for many years going back to its inception, so he is well placed to share his views on this important topic. Geoff Waddington HonFIIMS has written an article entitled Rules without enforcement are no rules at all (page 63). I confess to being alarmed when I read Geoff’s article for it touches on a shifting culture that seems to be worsening these days which should concern us all.


Regrettably, the subject of deaths in enclosed spaces remains a hot topic and rightly so, perhaps unsurprisingly given that 2025 saw a surge in incidents in this area. Two articles, Enclosed spaces: When saving a life turns fatal by Siddharth Mahajan (page 85) and At least 1,010 fatalities in enclosed spaces aboard vessels between 2000-2024 (page 142), update the situation and keep this vexing subject firmly on the agenda. Nobody should go to work and not come home to their family because they have died in an enclosed space in 2026.


The Metstrade exhibition, held at the RAI facility annually in Amsterdam during November, is a big deal for many in the small boat sector. Indeed, I visited the show last year and was amazed at how huge the event has become. There was plenty of ‘new tech’ on view and this is reflected in


4 | ISSUE 115 | MAR 2026 | THE REPORT


the article Metstrade 2025 electric boat highlights (see page 133), which gives a comprehensive round-up of some of the products on display.


Current IIMS President, Capt Ruchin Dayal FIIMS, who is something of an expert on the subject of iron ore fines and its potential liquefaction as cargo, has written The Dangerous Erosion of Iron Ore Sampling Standards in India: A Call for Urgent Action (page 95). In his article, he raises significant safety concerns due to the possibility of liquefaction as cargo exports from Goa are set to resume and increase.


And finally, I am delighted that Australian member, Peter Pope MIIMS, accepted my invitation to be the subject of this edition’s A Day in the Life of feature (see page 150). Peter is rightly proud having mentored a number of younger surveyors over the years, most of whom are now IIMS members. I’d like to extend my thanks to Peter for the help he has given over the years to new entrants and hope you will enjoy reading his answers to the questions I posed to him and why mentoring is, for him, very rewarding.


Survey well, Mike Schwarz Chief Executive Officer


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