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Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) - Marine Survey Programs

Memberships, Accredited Training, Professional Development Programs for Marine Surveyors in Australia, New Zealand and Asia

australasian institute of marine surveyors aims

Established in 1986 and headquartered at Kingston ACT, the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors is the largest industry body in the Australasian region for professional marine surveyors and represents more than 80 per cent of the commercial marine surveyors in Australia and has members in most ports around Australia as well as all Australian States and Territories. AIMS also have members in the Asia and South Pacific regions as well as other overseas countries.

AIMS membership promotes and encourages talent, integrity and excellence in all that they do as surveyors and all that we do as an Association. With over 400 members AIMS also has members in New Zealand, the Asia and South Pacific regions as well as other overseas countries. Membership of AIMS gives you access to a wealth of knowledge, support, accreditation and training.

An applicant for full or associate membership must be a practicing marine surveyor and be engaged in work in any of the following categories - P & I clubs, classification societies, hull and machinery underwriters, Cargo, small craft, and marine survey students and apprentices.

aims marine survey

Training Programs

Accredited Training Programs

  • Advanced Diploma of Commercial Marine Surveying: This qualification is most suited to people who want to become a Ship Surveyor or those who are already working as a marine surveyor and have experience in any sector of the marine survey industry. Some subjects in the qualification require you to carry out practical marine survey tasks and therefore to be eligible to undertake the course you must have your own access to a vessel or worksite where tasks can be carried out or where you can practice the requirements.
  • International Diploma of Marine Surveying (Working Boats): This qualification is most suited to people who want to become a surveyor in the Australian Domestic Commercial Vessel Sector and apply for AMSA accreditation. It is open to persons who are already working in or hold qualifications in a related maritime industry profession. The qualification meets some of the requirements for Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) accreditation, but you will also need to demonstrate the achievement of other requirements which include additional qualifications for specialist areas, suitable experience, appropriate insurance and the capacity to run your business in accordance with ISO 9001:2015.
  • Diploma of Recreational Vessel Survey: This qualification is most suited to people who want to become a surveyor of recreational vessels under 25 metres. The qualification does not cover the requirements for Super Yachts. Some subjects in the qualification require you to carry out practical marine survey tasks and therefore to be eligible to undertake the course you must have your own access to a vessel that is unique to the marine survey sector that you wish to specialise in.

Short Courses

  • Blue Water Bridging Course: The Blue Water Bridging Course is offered as external self paced study and has three units/modules and is aimed at providing existing surveyors with the foundation knowledge of the National Law and the requirements for statutory surveys of vessels under 35 metres.
  • General and Break-Bulk Cargo Surveys: The General and Break-Bulk Cargo Short Course is offered as external self-paced study and provides information on the code of practice for marine surveyors undertaking surveys of general and break-bulk cargoes.  It provides an insight into ship operations so that the marine surveyor without a seagoing background can understand the basics of how the industry operates.

Marine Survey Short Courses - Modules

  • Fundamentals of Marine Insurance, Shipping Business and law
  • Flag and Port State Control
  • Dry bulk cargo
  • Marine warranty surveys
  • Conduct a draft survey
  • Audit and Assess SMS
  • Manage grain operations
  • On off hire and bunker surveys
  • Investigate marine incidents
  • Manage stowage and securing of cargo
  • Prepare and present professional marine survey reports
  • Identify and implement WHS requirements for marine survey tasks
  • Understand basic vessel stability and stability documentation
  • Assess and audit safety management systems
  • Carry out a statutory survey in accordance with the national law and regulations
  • Survey the hull and superstructure of a vessel
  • Survey operational systems
  • Assess vessel compliance with marine environment protection requirements
  • Establish a marine survey practice

CPD Short Courses

  • Effective Business Writing
  • Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2019/Office 365
  • Grammar Refresher
  • Keys to Effective Communication