Excellence in Marine Surveying What does it mean, why it matters and how we achieve it
1.The Definition of Excellence
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Aristotle
So, what is excellence? A search on the internet will bring as such, “Excellence is a talent or quality which is unusually good and so surpasses ordinary standards. It is also used as a standard of performance as measured e.g. through economic indicators.”
For a marine surveyor is it the way we conduct ourselves, presentation, work ethics, undertaking the actual survey, communication with clients, or even report writing? Is it how you run your business and your profit and loss ratios, your reputation, or even your recognition in the maritime industry? How about your savvy in the court room when called upon, or your “soft, friendly” approach, or the “hard-nosed, stubborn” approach?
It could be some of the above, or disregard for the above. However, a good surveyor will always aim for excellence. You are only as good as your last survey and report. Also, the last impression you leave at the survey could be the rise or downfall of your survey company. You, as the
2.So, You Want to Survey Boats
for a Living?
“The only way to do great work, is to love what you do.” Steve Jobs
Surveyors usually come from a back ground of seafaring, boat
As James says on his website, he is a “guy that lives and breathes boats”. Even his hobbies are marine related, with yachting, wind surfing and boat building featuring highly among them. Based in New Zealand, James, who holds an IIMS Diploma in Marine Surveying, became inspired over the 2019 Christmas break to write an article about excellence in marine surveying based on his own personal experiences in his relatively short career as a surveyor. It is an honest and well written article, which IIMS is keen to share with readers of The Report Magazine. This is Part I. Part II will appear in the June 2020 Report Magazine.
surveyor, must make the decision on how you want your company to operate, be perceived, and ultimately, to succeed.
Excellence is defined in such a manner that the person, or business, are the best at what they do. They know what they are doing, they are respected for what they do, and they have great pride in their achievements. A good surveyor is the person who will be sourced for their wisdom and advice, and if, they do not have the answer, will either research for results, or direct to the appropriate experts in their field. All in a humble manner.
If a legal case is underway which maybe, as an expert witness, involving, vessel damage, valuation, wrong doing by other parties, or worst-case scenario, fatality, the surveyor will be looked upon and respected as the most qualified person attending, to give evidence
building, yachting, ship construction, mechanical engineering, or designing. The common thread with surveyors is a love or interest, of all things nautical. This may be surfing the web and looking at ships being built, or in extreme weather, building boats for fun, or weekend sailing with friends and family. It may be the cold winter nights with feet up in front of the fire, pouring over old yachting magazines, but regardless, that general interest is a common thread.
and opinion. They will be required for their excellence in their line of work.
So how as surveyors, do we achieve excellence? Is it a matter of studying and sitting an exam, or maybe just picking up a hammer and tapping boat hulls? Do we vocalize ourselves to be heard, so that everyone knows who we are, or do we keep quiet and get on with the job? Over the next few chapters I will outline some of my own experiences and attitude towards surveying. I will explain how I have refined and improved my business and lessons learnt.
Am I an “Excellent” surveyor? Maybe. Maybe not. I survey boats of all sizes every working day of the year and make a profitable living from doing so. Clients email me, or ring on the telephone, thanking for my services. Often the phrases, “excellent”, “particular”, “detailed”, are used in referring to my services. Maybe something is working…
If you have a mind set of starting a marine surveying business just for the sake of making money, you will ultimately fail. The love of vessels, the interaction with clients, and vessel owners, and striving for excellence or perfection, in your surveys, are the underlying means to an end.
Myself, even as a young child, when the weather was too horrible for yachting, wandering around marinas with my parents and looking at
The Report • March 2020 • Issue 91 | 97
by JAMES NEWCOMBE AssocIIMS
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