NEWS

The Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA) has teamed up with the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) to support and educate the industry, and public for safer outcomes of new and used vessels.

BIA CEO Andrew Scott said the partnership would help improve awareness of, and access to, trusted marine surveyors to support the recreation al boating and light commercial vessel sectors.

“BIA is committed to the promotion of safe, responsible and enjoyable boating,” Scott said.

“A great day on the water includes public confidence in boats that are being bought and sold.

“There are more than 900,000 registered boats in Australia and while not everyone needs a marine surveyor when buying and selling used boats; there are times when it is a good idea. It is, for example, recommended for people considering buying the larger recreational vessels such as those kept in the water on berths or moorings to consider the services of a surveyor.

“A trusted surveyor, such as those who are a member of AIMS and abide by the AIMS Code of Conduct, can help give buyers peace of mind that they have made the correct decision.”

AIMS is the peak industry body for Marine Surveyors in Australasia and the largest marine surveyor association in the Southern Hemisphere. AIMS has members in all States and Territories of Australia as well as New Zealand, and the Asia Pacific regions.

The partnership between BIA and AIMS is a win for recreational vessel owners across Australia. At the heart of the work that marine surveyors undertake is vessel safety.

AIMS CEO Eric Perez said: “Marine surveyors perform surveys of recreational vessels on behalf of owners, insurers or potential purchasers with the purpose of assessing the condition or value of vessels.

“AIMS supports the need for safe and responsible boating ensuring vessel safety by engaging an AIMS marine surveyor.”

Scott said the partnership was timely as it would assist BIA in its work with maritime regulators across Australia and New Zealand in development of a national Responsible Boat Owner campaign for the coming season. This campaign will have a strong focus on safe vessels.

For information on boating go to: www.discoverboating.com.au

For information on BIA go to: www.bia.org.au

Media contact: media@bia.org.au; m. 0418 279 465 / gm@aimsurveyors.com.au; m. 0492 881 737

Picture caption: Pictured at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron from left are BIA Business Development Manager Andrew Fielding, AIMS CEO Eric Perez and BIA CEO Andrew Scott.

The 2024 AIMS Awards for Excellence are now open. Award categories include:

• Mike Bozier Award – this award is open to all members and is a tribute to Mike Bozier and all he achieved for the AIMS and the industry generally through his tenacity, innovative approach, and futuristic thinking.
• Marine Survey Practice Award – this award is open to all AIMS members in a marine survey practice of any size.
• Marine Surveyor Specialist Field Award – this award is open to all AIMS members and congratulates an organisation or individual’s leadership in their specialty.
• Technology or Business Services Award – this award is open to both members and non-members and congratulates leadership through the practical application of technological solutions for new and existing marine survey needs resulting in a commercial, environmental and/or social benefit to the industry.
• Student of the Year Award – this award is open to any AIMS member who are currently undertaking an AIMS training package, have completed their course in the last 12 months or any other recognised training relevant to marine surveying.
• President’s Rising Star Award – this award is open to any AIMS member. A key element in the future of the marine survey industry will be the calibre of the leaders that we are developing in our businesses today.

AIMS Awards for Excellence Entry Guide

AIMS Awards for Excellence Nomination Form

The awards ceremony will take place during the conference dinner – 2024 AIMS Conference

I am proud to share this year’s first edition of the AIMS Shipshape newsletter. I thank all the contributors to the newsletter and welcome ideas and contributions for future articles, you can reach out to me at gm@aimsurveyors.com.au.

On behalf of the AIMS Board members, I thank Andrew Graver for his time working on our Board, and acknowledge the significant, voluntary contributions over more than 10 years working to improve marine surveying and our institute.

Shipshape March 2024

Regards, Dr Eric Perez
CEO AIMS

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has released for public consultation a draft new edition of the Marine Surveyor Accreditation Guidance Manual, Part 2 – Survey of Vessels (SAGM 2).  Public consultation will run from 1 Feb to 2 April 2024, via the AMSA consultation hub: Feedback on proposed updates to the Surveyor Accreditation Guidance Manual Part 2

Included in the proposed AMSA changes:

• Class 2 vessels used only for leisure purposes, will be allowed to use the same CE certification as Class 4 vessels for structural approval.
• Owners of medium-frequency vessels will be provided the flexibility to complete a year 3 survey either in water or out of water, and owners of high-frequency vessels will have flexibility to swap their year 2 and 3 surveys.
• Alignment of construction documentation requirements for restricted C vessels with risk levels, reducing the necessary documentation.
• Clarification that Accredited Marine Surveyors may use their own reporting forms, provided these have the required level of detail.
• Inclusion of reporting obligations for repair and damage surveys.
• Survey tables expanded to remove ambiguity and improve consistency and reliability in the survey processes.

Information sessions - register here
Date: Friday 22 March 2024

Time: 2pm AEST

Welcome to the December edition of Shipshape, our final newsletter for 2023. On behalf of the AIMS Board, I would like to thank this edition’s contributors.

Shipshape December 2023.pdf

Regards, Eric Perez
CEO AIMS

The Australian Transport Safety and Investigation Bodies Financial Sustainability Review (the Review) will review the operations, consider potential efficiencies and options for cost recovery of the following bodies:

• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
• Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)

Australian Transport Safety and Investigation Bodies Financial Sustainability Review | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

On 17 June 2020, the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee tabled the report of its inquiry into the performance of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). A key recommendation in this report was that the Australian Government commissions an independent review of the National Law and any associated legislative instruments (such as Marine Orders).

In its response to this inquiry in December 2021, the Australian Government commissioned this independent Review of Australia’s Domestic Commercial Vessel (DCV) Safety Legislation, and Costs and Charging Arrangements for DCVs (the Review). The Review is being conducted by a three-person Independent Review Panel (the Review Panel) with a mix of safety, regulatory, financial and industry expertise.

Safety Report—Independent Review of Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety Legislation and Costs and Charging—September 2023 | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

The latest issue of the Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin focuses on safe working conditions and practices. Shipboard tasks such as working at heights, mooring, and rigging ladders are considered high‑risk operations that are often conducted in an unsafe manner.

Deficiencies against Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) – Health and safety protection and accident prevention accounted for 58.5 per cent of MLC‑related port State control deficiencies in 2022. These figures suggest that safe working conditions and associated practices remain an issue on board vessels visiting Australia. 

Establishing a positive safety culture, and effective communication and consultation, are vital to preventing accidents and protecting seafarers.

Cordially invites you to attend the IMO World Maritime Day Symposium “MARPOL AT 50 – OUR COMMITMENT GOES ON” - Case study of the catastrophic fire on the Car Carrier ‘Fictitious’

TUESDAY 24 OCTOBER 2023 at Smartship Australia, Building 303, 6 – 12 Boronia Road, Eagle Farm, Brisbane/

Program:
12:30 Light lunch
13:00 Welcome to all attendees (Capt Ritesh Chawla, Honorary Chairman NI Qld Branch)
15:00 Close

Case study of the catastrophic fire on the Car Carrier ‘Fictitious

Welcome to the September Shipshape newsletter. A great mix of articles and Institute news from our Chairman, AIMS members and international contributors. On behalf of the AIMS Board, I would like to thank this edition’s contributors.

AIMS Shipshape Newsletter - September 2023

Regards, Eric Perez
CEO AIMS