Views from Past Presidents as IIMS turns
(and the current President)
IIMS went in search of comments and opinions from some of those who have held the position of President since the inception of the Institute in 1991.
From John Guy
Although not a marine surveyor, John Guy was instrumental in leading the surveying profession towards the foundation of an Institute back in the late 1980s, resulting in its formation in 1991.
Thirty-three years ago marine surveying was a lonely profession. Well, not really even a profession, just something old sailors drifted into. There were no formal qualifications, no training courses, no international recognised bodies and no platforms to share knowledge.
At that time, I wrote a text book for would-be surveyors and then ran a couple of conferences for marine surveyors, mostly to help sell my book. Fortunately marine surveyors more far-sighted than I came to those conferences, and they saw clearly that what was needed was not a book or a commercial conference once a year, but a way to co-operate together. In other words, an institute.
With hard work, selflessness, perseverance, and a lot of patience they and many who followed them have given of their time, knowledge, contacts and good-humour and slowly but surely built the IIMS. I salute them now as we celebrate the thirtieth birthday of the IIMS. It gives marine surveyors what they did not have, a place to gather, a forum, a platform to share experience, an identity, a voice and a structure. Most importantly, the IIMS has grown as a global organisation and is recognised the world over as a centre of excellence and as the access pathway to being a good marine surveyor, or, just as importantly, finding a good marine surveyor. I look forward to watching the IIMS grow from strength to strength and hope to be invited to the fiftieth birthday party.
From Capt WG MacDonald (Past and Founding President 1991-1993)
As a Past and Founding President, I am delighted that the IIMS turns 30 in June of this year and is preparing to arrange a small, socially distanced, online celebration to record this milestone prior to the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 9 June 2021.
It seems like only yesterday when I was fighting the maritime world trying to get enough people to support me for getting this institute started. I had major opposition mainly from other marine organizations and many surveying companies also did not want an institute.
Time passes so quickly and so many things have happened over the last 30 years. The achievements of the IIMS are certainly very impressive having started from humble beginnings. IIMS has achieved recognition and respect internationally, thus enabling it to attract and offer membership to professional Marine Surveyors throughout the world.
It not only provides its members with prestige as established professionals, but also opportunities that were not available prior to its commencement, including networking globally, professional development opportunities and training to name but a few. It provides ship owners, insurance companies cargo owners international banks and all within marine logistics with assurance that the Marine Surveyors recommended by the IIMS are reliable professionals.
Moving forward, I believe the Institute should start to work closer with IMO and continue down the path of training. Not only training Marine Surveyors, but also training those who wish to go to sea as deck and engine ratings as well as officers and catering staff.
I wish the Institute my best wishes for the next 30 years and ask all those who go to sea and survey vessels to stay safe, to respect the sea and to practice safety at all times.
26 | The Report • June 2021 • Issue 96
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