Q5. What has been the most demanding and challenging survey you have ever been involved with?


Over a period of twenty years of surveying, I am convinced that no two jobs have been the same. Each assignment has been unique in its own way and merited 200 % commitment.


Nevertheless, there are some assignments that stand out and leave an indelible mark on every surveyor’s journey. So was it with me.


This incident dates back to 2007, wherein a loaded VLCC collided head on with a fully laden container vessel, whilst both vessels were underway. Numerous Underwriters, Clubs, Lawyers, Loss Adjusters, Recovery Agents and Surveyors were involved. We were representing the Hull & Machinery Underwriters of the container vessel and were also required to conduct a “without prejudice” inspection on the VLCC.


Obviously, the stakes were very high, therefore information gathering and sharing was an extremely sensitive issue. The sheer magnitude of damage and collateral ramifications was humungous. Estimated steel renewal on the container vessel was in the range of 700 metric tonnes and on the VLCC was over 900 metric tonnes.


and my own survey firm was formed in December 2010. In essence, throughout my professional life spanning approximately 38 years, post- graduation, I have either been on a ship or performed as a marine surveyor.


Based on all the above, beyond any shadow of doubt, I can emphasise that nobody can become a surveyor unless he/she is guided by a meaningful mentor. There is a plethora of books on the art of surveying and guidelines on effective surveying but none of them are a replacement for an effective mentor.


It is a well-known fact that no matter how many years of sea-time you may have put in, you will still be a novice when you come ashore. When we come to the stage of changing the hat the greatest challenge lies in “un-learning”, prior orienting to the newer perspective of looking at shipping, as seen from shore side. This gestation period is a litmus test, during which, many stalwarts have surrendered and “gone back to sea”.


Therefore, during the initial days, it is mandatory to be a “shadow – surveyor” and learn to catch the strings from a senior. The art of “being on-site effectively” is imbibed by watching your peers at work and learning from their “rights & wrongs”.


Verification of steel damage and quantification of repair scope was an elaborate task and needed various levels of cross-checking. However, there was an underlying beauty to the entire management structure. All stake-holders were proactive and result oriented, although every minute detail was under the scanner and challenged, at every stage.


For me, it was a tremendous learning experience and awe-inspiring learning curve.


Although I have been involved in many big cases (since then), I would still rate this as the most exhilarated experience of my surveying career.


Q6. How important is mentoring in this business – learning the art of surveying from an experienced surveying practitioner?


I completed my engineering training at a Naval school in 1982.


Since then, I have always been working on ships.


I switched over to a shore- based appointment in January 2000, when I started working as a marine surveyor


112 | The Report • December 2020 • Issue 94


The pragmatic ability of ascertaining “what is correct” over the urge to conclude on “who is correct” is something that a good mentor can gift to his protégé. In essence, getting mentored by an experienced surveying practitioner is the nucleus around which a surveyor’s effectiveness largely depends upon.


I have been lucky in getting some fantastic professional mentors, chief among them being “Mr Will Henderson, Mr Tony Fernandez, Capt Subramanium, Capt Satish Anand, Capt Zia Alam, Capt Zillur Bhuiyan, Mr Milind Tambe and Capt Saumitr Sen”.


My professional career would be “Null & Void” if I do not bow my hat to Tony Sir!


I shall, forever, be indebted to all my mentors in guiding me in all aspects of my surveying life.


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