Recently Published: 'Report Writing for Marine Surveyors'
By Mike Wall
BSc, MSc, FIMarEST, CMarTech, MIIMS, NAMS-CMS, AFNI, QDR
Overview
Report Writing for Marine Surveyors is a valuable addition to the body of information available to marine surveyors. Written by Mike Wall, a vastly experienced marine surveyor and lecturer in maritime studies, this 340-page book should help fill a big gap in the information needs of marine surveyors, old and new, around the world.
The new book is crammed full of diagrams and charts which are designed to illustrate every aspect of the marine surveying process likely to be encountered. Different types of report format – covering many of the types of report which the surveyor may be requested to complete – are included in the appendices as templates which may be used by new surveyors.
Report Writing for Marine Surveyors includes specific sections on discovery, evidence, protocols, terms and conditions of service, insurance, limiting liability and copyright issues. In preparing for a report, the surveyor also learns about interviewing skills, together with when to report facts and when to offer opinions.
This book should be of particular value to new entrants to the industry for whom writing detailed, accurate and concise survey reports is an essential job requirement.
About the Author
During his long service to the maritime industry, Mike Wall has been a chief engineer, a student, a lecturer, a marine surveyor and a successful author, and has accumulated a vast amount of experience in most areas of shipping.
Mike was born in Liverpool and joined Cunard Line as a marine engineer apprentice at the age of 17, eventually reaching the rank of Chief Engineer with service aboard many types of vessel. He obtained a First Class marine engineer's certificate of competency, a BSc in Nautical Studies and an MSc in Shipping and Maritime Studies.
He spent eight years as a lecturer in Maritime Studies, culminating in five years as Senior Lecturer at Warsash College of Maritime Studies in Southampton, England. Since leaving full time education, he has continued to be a visiting lecturer around the world and regularly carries out training seminars for various shipping organisations.
He has also accumulated 25 years of experience in hull, machinery, cargo and condition surveys in the United States, New Zealand, Fiji and South East Asia, most of it as Managing Director and Principal Consultant for Kiwi Marine Consultants Ltd in Hong Kong. Here, he provided a wide range of marine consultancy and surveying services to P&I clubs, shipowners, ship managers, underwriters, admiralty lawyers and other principals.
Mike is also a qualified Mediator, being registered both in the UK and Hong Kong.
Mike is a regular contributor of technical shipping articles to various maritime publications and is editor of FLASHLIGHT, a monthly electronic newsletter distributed to over 4,000 marine surveyors.
He is also the author of Hatch Covers – Operation, Testing and Maintenance, published by Witherby Seamanship International.
Quotes:
1 – Mike Wall (Author):
‘I believe that every marine surveyor, whatever his or her age or level of experience, will find the advice, guidelines and practical examples supplied in this handy-sized book very helpful’
2 - Capt. Barry Thompson FNI. Hon. IIMS (writer of the Foreword):
‘While it is necessary for surveyors to posses sound technical knowledge it is certain that without an ability to adequately convey their findings in the reports, and sometimes also opinions, they will never become competent and respected surveyors’
3 - Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, Publisher, Petrospot:
‘Mike Wall is a rare example of a hard-working individual who has put in the effort to succeed in every job he has chosen while gladly passing on his deep knowledge and experience to others’