Marine surveyors look to a global presence
The IIMS is now having an input to maritime surveying operations from Australia to Fujairah
John Lawrence of the International Institute of Marine Surveyors (IIMS) says that local difficulties need local input, and no end of good ideas from outside the area will substitute for asking people with knowledge of regional laws and regulations.
However, he adds that this input also goes as far as working with local habits and personalities. Even though the IIMS has only been getting into its stride in the last five years, it is already beginning to have a global presence.
The situation in Australia has been a complicated one, explained Mr Lawrence. Historically, the different states have set up and run their own maritime authorities, so a vessel that is legal, for example, in Queensland might not be legal in New South Wales.
The federal government is now developing an overarching regime to cover the hire and use of commercial vessels, both to iron out the differences and ensure a level playing field for all boat and ship owners. There is a also question of competency in the surveying itself and this is where the IIMS is hoping to be of assistance.
‘However, it is important that, again, this input is locally based and it’s not simply a UK presence’, said Mr Lawrence.
Looking at other regions, there are very practical details that having a local presence can sort out. One of the early and useful requests was from the harbour master of Fujairah Port to the new IIMS local UAE office.
‘He just wanted the surveyors to wear identifiable hazard jackets so they wouldn’t be confused with other people in the port, said Mr Lawrence, ‘Fujairah is truly huge. It was a simple enough action to take by the members on the spot, and saved the port authority a lot of work checking on people. ‘Wwe would have had difficulty trying to implement it from our office in the UK.’
As another added security, the IIMS is currently looking at an ID card system that would allow ports and other authorities to be able to verify the identity of all marine surveyors through the internet. The International Register of Marine Surveyors (IRMS) would provide an easy access system to the marine world and only registered surveyors would have a card. Mr Lawrence added that comments from the marine world on this idea would be welcome. He can be contacted by email to: membership@iims.org.uk .
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