Welcome and thanks for deciding to join IIMS.

Before you start your online application to join IIMS let us manage your expectations right from the start. Please read this statement.

You are strongly advised to read each screen carefully as it will explain what information or documentation we require to enable us to process your application. On the next screen, we will tell you what evidence you should have handy. There is an option at the bottom of the screens to allow you to save your application and return to it at a later date.

Not every application for membership of the Institute is granted. We apply as much objectivity to each application as we possibly can, based on the information you send us. Our aim is to ensure that only experienced and knowledgeable marine surveyors are granted membership with chosen specialisms that can be supported with objective evidence.

IMPORTANT. Your application and personal details will only be shared with nominated IIMS head office staff and members of the Institute's Professional Assessment Committee who will assess your application. We do not share your personal data with anyone else and it will be held on the secure IIMS servers purely for processing your application and managing your membership (if successful).

You will be asked for two independent referees later one of whom can verify your claimed areas of expertise. Please choose your referees carefully and be sure to let them know.

If you have any difficulties completing your application please contact the Institute by telephone on +44 23 9238 5223 (09.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday) or by email at membership@iims.org.uk.

Just one more important thing before you start the application process ....

Please help us to help you make your application process as smooth as possible.

IIMS often receives membership applications that are not straightforward to process. Here are some of the reasons why applications are pushed back, requiring further information. Please read carefully.

1. Some applicants make claims for far too many specialisms. If you can provide the necessary objective evidence to support 30 specialisms for example, (as some do), you will need to supply 2 reports for each specialism. That's a total of 60 reports. Please be realistic in the number of specialisms you are seeking and if you cannot provide objective evidence to support your claims, take a moment to reconsider your list of specialisms.

2. Applicants claim they are a Flag State Inspector as part of their work experience, but when asked to provide the necessary evidence to prove that from the Flag State, they are unable to do so.

3. Choose your referees and/or references carefully. Often a nominated referee is not able to supply a substantive reference. A few words saying someone knows you is not enough. And we will take up the references you offer.

4. Membership applicants often claim a wide variety of educational and marine qualifications, but cannot provide the necessary certification to prove and validate the source of the qualifications.

These are just a few examples of some of the things IIMS faces that make it harder to process membership applications swiftly. Please be sure to provide the necessary evidence for us to give you the best joining experience.

Here is a list of the evidence you will need to help you complete your application.

Before starting your application, please read through the list of required evidence that you will be asked to provide and ensure you have this ready to attach when prompted.

Essential documentation:

Survey List
This should cover the years required for the level of membership you are hoping to achieve – please review the membership categories and their requirements to see how many years your list needs to cover. 

It needs to include survey date, vessel type, survey type (please specify material, e.g. steel, FRP/GRP). It should be in a spreadsheet or table format. It does not need to include every survey you have done, but it should show you do each of your claimed survey types on a regular, full-time basis.

Example survey reports
For each survey type you claim experience for, please attach a minimum of two example reports. For example, if you were to tick the two below material types under Pre-purchase Surveys (vessels up to 24 meters) then you would need to provide two reports per material type selected – two for GRP/FRP, two for Steel, and so on. The reports need to be from within the last 5 years to be considered. You can omit confidential information such as client details. It is the technical content of the report we need to see.

Specialist survey documents
If you claim a type like Flag state inspections, or expert witness, then you need to provide the documents proving your authorisation to do them.
Certificates
If you would like to add any marine survey-related qualifications then you will need to provide evidence of completion and achievement.

Other required documents:

Photo
You are required to attach a photo of yourself. If your application is successful, this will be used for your IIMS membership card and your website profile (for Affiliate level and above).

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Please provide an up-to-date CV. This must show your most recent experience even if it is not related to the Marine Surveying industry.

If you have any questions about evidence, then please email info@iims.org.uk

If you have any difficulties completing your application please contact the Institute by telephone on +44 23 9238 5223 (09.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday) or by email at info@iims.org.uk.

On the next screen we will ask you which category of membership you would like to apply for. Here are the descriptions of the various membership categories. If you are still unsure having studied them, then tick the 'I am not sure' option on the next page.

FULL MEMBERSHIP
Applications from surveyors who meet all of the criteria below for full membership are invited from:
• Anyone who can prove that they have practised on a full-time basis for a minimum of five years as a consultant or marine surveyor.
• Individuals who, by producing written reports can demonstrate that they have practised marine surveying or consultancy for at least five years.
• Individuals whose qualifications or experience shall be considered appropriate by the Professional Assessment Committee (as beneficial to the support of the Institute).
Full Members may use the initials MIIMS after their names.
Please note: being a Full Member does not mean a surveyor can survey all craft.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO:
• Individuals practising marine surveying, or consultancy for a minimum of three years and who do not yet fulfil the conditions to become Full Members.
• Full Members who have decided to reduce their involvement in the Institute.
Individuals whose qualifications or experience shall be considered appropriate by the Professional Assessment Committee, (as beneficial to the support of the Institute).
Associate Members may use the designation AssocIIMS after their names.

TECHNICIAN MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO:
• Individuals holding a recognised qualification, for example, Inspector level 2 or higher (NACE, FROSIO, ICorr), RMCI and IRMII, NDT Technicians (CSWIP), for example gauging personnel, divers or other surveyors with at least three years full-time practical experience in a marine related field. Technician Members may use the designation TechIIMS after their names.

AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO:
• Less experienced surveyors, graduates and those who are in the early stages of a career in marine surveying, but who do not meet the criteria for Full or Associate Membership and are continuing to train and gain experience prior to applying for Associate Membership. Please note that the Affiliate category has a life of three years. At the end of year one the Affiliate member will be asked to provide evidence of their experience gained during the year and survey reports will be required for review. The same process will happen again for the second and third years. At the end of the third year, the Affiliate member will be encouraged to apply for an upgrade to Associate member. If they choose not to upgrade, he/she will be required to pay the higher fee for Associate membership. However, if a new Affiliate member already has a full-time surveying career, he/she can be considered for a 'fast track uplift' to either Associate or Full member after the first year. Affiliate Members may use the designation AffilIIMS after their names.

SUPPORTING MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO:
• Individuals who are not currently marine surveyors, but who have an interest in marine surveying and who encourage and approve of the aims of the Institute.

Just before you get started choosing your specialisms, listing your consultancy services, and evidencing your expert witness credentials (if appropriate) please heed this important advice from IIMS. We see many new applications making claims for specialisms and the amount of time surveying which are exaggerated and sometimes even false, which cannot be supported with evidence and documentation. 

In completing sections V (your marine surveying specialisms), VI (your consultancy services) and VII (your expert witness experience), you should bear in mind that if your application is successful, the entries indicated by you will be recorded in the Membership List of the Institute. The List of Members is circulated publicly on various platforms and, therefore, an entry claiming experience and/or expert witness activity which later proves to be incorrect could lead to challenges by a Principle or Client.

By all means, apply for as many specialisms as you wish, but you are advised to only seek approval for marine surveying activities in which you know you have experience and competency that you can support by objective evidence, qualifications and proof of experience. As new skills are acquired they can be added to your listing at a later date with supporting evidence.

The following screens (see list below) each contain a main specialisation category and sub-categories within. Choose those you wish to apply for. At the end of each category, simply upload and attach your evidence category by category following the on-screen prompts. All specialism category screens apply to vessels up to 24 metres with the exception of the last screen which lists the available specialisations for large yachts and superyachts over 24 metres.

Additional Surveying Services
Casualty Investigation
Electrical or Electronic Engineering
Gas Installation Surveys
Government or Local Certification Surveys
IIMS Certifying Authority
Machinery Surveys
Marine Insurance & Finance
Naval Architecture
Small Craft Surveys up to 24 metres: Pre-purchase Surveys
Small Craft Surveys up to 24 metres: Insurance & Finance
Small Craft Surveys up to 24 metres: Valuation Surveys
Small Craft Surveys up to 24 metres: Damage Surveys
Small Craft Surveys up to 24 metres: Inland Waterways Surveys
Workboats up to 24 metres
Large Yacht & Superyacht Surveys over 24 metres

THUS, THE POTENTIAL LEGAL CONSEQUENCES TO AN APPLICANT OF AN INAPPROPRIATE ENTRY IN THESE SECTIONS SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED.