Some of these old attitudes are the corner stones of why certain sections of the marine industry, (ours included), face so many problems - the refusal to change with the times. My most hated expressions have always been “that’s the way it’s always been” or “that’s the way we have always done it”. Just because something has been done a certain way for fifty years does not make it right.


Taking up the theme of change, a favourite regulation of mine in MGN 280 says, “a vessel over 12 meters requires a whistle and bell” and “over 20 meters in addition to the whistle the bell is required to be approved by a UK nominated body.” It may be all very well for a superyacht to pay in excess of £1,200.00 for a new shiny Lloyds bell with fancy bell rope to be displayed at the bow and polished daily by the crew. But what benefit is there to the average boat owner who would stick it in a box and put it away in a locker never to see the light of day. Either way, what is the point?


There are many more examples too. Distress flares, fire extinguishing systems and so on all need bringing into the 21st


Some issues have been overlooked for years. I am not averse to being a bit controversial, so let’s consider construction materials for vessels. No longer as popular as it once was but why is ferro cement (concrete) not a generally accepted material? MGN 280 states “A vessel may be constructed of wood, fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) aluminium alloy, steel or combinations of such materials”, “proposals for the use of other materials should be submitted to the Certifying Authority for consideration and approval”.


century. Before we change the rules and bring in maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) operating without crew, perhaps we should clean out some of the old.


I may be biased having once owned a ferro cement sailing yacht. However, let’s consider the facts, which are - concrete is fire retardant, largely impervious to oil contamination, inherently stiff and strong, resistant to rot, corrosion, UV damage and the long-term effects of being immersed in water. It is also simple and cheap to repair, even underwater. Sounds ideal to me! Have a look at these links in regard to WWI and WWII vessels - https://bit.ly/3vNh7LP and https://bit.ly/3kBhsuE. Some D Day Mulberry Harbour structures are still floating on the south coast of the England today. I wonder what the carbon footprint assessment would come out like for a concrete ship powered by sail.


It is also poignant to be going out on a high with


the publication of the 100th anniversary edition of the Report Magazine. In my navy days I would have been accused of being ‘Anchor Faced’ but I am more impressed and prouder each and every year of this publication which now boasts a readership of many thousands. I was recently invited to attend Craig’s 10th


anniversary cake


cutting and I must say what an amazing talent this man has and how much we benefit from his skills. Of course, the head of the team behind the success of the Report is our own CEO, Mike Schwarz, and I must take this opportunity to pay tribute to the amount of hard work and professional knowledge that he injects into everything he does on our behalf. I do get concerned at times though because to coin another phrase ‘A willing horse’. And finally, my thanks to the Head Office management team and staff who collectively make the organisation what it has become.


Well, as they say ‘That’s all folks’. Although it is time for me to go, rest assured you haven’t heard the last from me. I now have aspirations to attempt become the next MOG (Jeffrey Casciani- Wood) - if that is at all possible!


Geoff Waddington I.Eng; IMarEng.M.I.Mar.EST;


F.I.I.M.S. (President IIMS)


President: Mr Geoff Waddington (FIIMS) Immediate Past President: Capt Zarir Irani (FIIMS)


Chief Executive Officer: Mr Mike Schwarz Head Office Team


Mrs Camella Robertson ....Membership Secretary & Office Manager Mr David Parsons .............Certifying Authority Administrator Miss Rosie Webb ..............Office & Web Administrator Mrs Vicki Loizides .............Education Co-ordinator Mr Craig Williams.............Graphic Designer


Vice President: Mr Peter Broad (FIIMS) Deputy Vice President: Capt Ruchin Dayal (FIIMS)


Miss Jen Argent ................Management Accountant Miss Elly Bryant ................Accounts Support Administrator Mrs Hilary Excell ...............Marine Surveying Academy Business Manager Mrs Pui Si Chung ..............MSA Accreditation Scheme Administrator Miss Rachel Moores ..........MSA Events & Course Co-ordinator


Tel: +44 (0) 23 9238 5223 | Email: info@iims.org.uk | IIMS, Murrills House, 48 East Street, Portchester, Hampshire, PO16 9XS, UK | www.iims.org.uk © The International Institute of Marine Surveying 2022 - The Institute and authors accept no responsibility for any opinions, statements or errors made in any article, feature or letter published in this Magazine.


The Report • June 2022 • Issue 100 | 7


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