Entering the marine surveying profession from non-traditional pathway: John Holden

AIMS Deputy President John Holden made the following address about non traditional pathways into the profession at the AIMS Conference, Hobart.
 

"I have always told my children that life will occasionally provide opportunities and they should never knock them back – well at least not until given due consideration. Statistics suggest that the average person will change careers 5-7 times during their lifetime and that by age 40 you may have had 10 jobs. Perhaps these statistics reflect that many people are not content with their working situation and strive to achieve that nirvana job which ticks all the boxes for an individual’s situation.

So when an opportunity comes along, out of the blue, it could be the way to reach this mythical place where work, life and the universe all gel to form a perfect galaxy of happiness. Okay, maybe I have overstated the case, but it serves to remind us of the importance of living a life fulfilled. When I was offered the chance to become a marine surveyor, I really had no idea what I was letting myself in for; however, it sounded like a career change that would allow me to broaden my horizons, challenge my intellect, learn new skills, meet new people and continue to work past the standard use by date. Oh boy was I in for some surprises!

I had always enjoyed and done well at school, never really finding the academic requirements to be too challenging. This left me with time to join in any social activities on offer and enjoy time playing sport or doing things with my father whom I consider to be a very clever and innovative person. During my childhood, dad built two boats at home, so I was fascinated by the process and the results, including the use of these boats! I firmly believe that this influenced my decisions in later life.

After successfully completing high school, I gained entry into a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology at James Cook University, my first choice of university studies. I loved university, but for all the wrong reasons and my first year results were dismal. Leaving home and enjoying the freedom that it brings is a challenge for most people and I really did not manage it well.  I then decided to change tack and study Geology which I had really enjoyed during first year. I transferred studies to QIT in Brisbane and found that the things I had enjoyed most in Townsville were also on offer in Brisbane on a much grander scale – no prizes for guessing what happened there!

After some reflection on where my life was going, I applied for and gained an apprenticeship as a boilermaker. Given my natural, possibly inherited talent for practical work and my academic ability, I excelled at this trade, completing my apprenticeship with a whole range of new skills. These new skills were soon put to the test when I was having some work done to my car and offered to assist by doing some aluminium welding that was required. I had never worked with the metal before and the business owner was most surprised that I picked it up so quickly – he offered me a job and I transitioned onto working with non-ferrous metals, mostly aluminium and stainless steel. After a few diversions into the construction, heavy engineering and mining fields, this eventually led me down a path towards boat building and marine fabrication.  

Several years were spent working around Queensland’s Sunshine Coast building and repairing boats, including some successful ocean racing yachts, before moving into the fabrication of bright work for the likes of Kevla Cat and Noosa Cat. I probably worked on most boats or marine fabrication works undertaken during my time at the Sunshine Coast.

A colleague with whom I had worked on a new build construction at Caloundra had moved to Gladstone in the early 1990’s and after a brief day trip from Bundaberg where I was then living, I returned home to announce to my wife that we were going to move. She continued in her Bundaberg based job until a replacement was trained while I set up my own marine fabrication business in Gladstone 1992, commuting most weekends to be with wife and son. Helen moved to Gladstone about six months later and we settled into town, soon making many new friends, both personally and in business. Business was brisk and, despite the never ending demand for the services I was providing, I started to consider where my life was heading and began doing some work with a friend on his harbour launches.

This was like a breath of fresh air for me and I quickly moved to doing more deckhand work and less fabrication. My very understanding wife was most supportive during these years and based upon previous sea time spent during the preceding years and time I was building up working on the lines launches, I gained a Coxswains Ticket which enabled me to skipper the launches. There is a certain pattern building here!!

 In August 2000, we moved to a new home and I met a neighbour, Mike Hanson, who was to radically alter the course of my life.

Mike, a retired Master Mariner and ex Harbour Master had, since his public service retirement, been undertaking marine surveys for a local Gladstone operation for many years and after getting to know each other, he asked if I would be interested in learning something new. This came at a perfect time for me as I had been considering my future. I took the opportunity in both hands and have never looked back!

Mike was a great teacher, mentoring me to undertake draft and tanker surveys. Mike’s old school abilities, quick wit and intellect were complemented by his innovative and forward thinking approach to undertaking marine surveys. Mike insisted that all the traditional requirements for marine surveyors to have previously been a Foreign Going Master Mariner were somewhat out of step with the modern world in which few Australian seafarers were moving into the marine survey field. His instincts were proved right when after spending some 18 months accompanying him to jobs, he informed me that he was taking a holiday and leaving the work in my hands during his absence. I was excited, but very nervous.

Well as you may have gathered, I handled the task with ease. All those odd hours for no pay were now proving their worth. I soon settled into this work and finally felt that I could begin the transition away from boiler-making. After a few years Mike retired (really retired) and moved away, leaving me to continue with the surveying, mostly working by then for Steve Beale at Rodds Bay Maritime. Steve also proved to be a great mentor and my knowledge grew alongside my experience levels. I recall that on one particular occasion, prior to working for Rodds Bay Maritime, I was on the wharf awaiting a vessel to finish tying up when I was confronted by Steve with regards to becoming a marine surveyor. Now as any of those present who know Steve will tell you, he is a straight shooter who does not waste words. He informed me, in no uncertain terms, that I could not just turn up with any expectation of becoming a marine surveyor – it just was not possible! It would not happen! Some 12 months later, he called me to ask how busy I was with a view to providing assistance with draft surveying!

I lived the typical draft surveyor life where working hours are long and days off are few; nevertheless through all that, I have maintained a passion for the profession. This sort of work is definitely not for everyone, but the diversity of the Marine Surveying profession is such that it provides all manner of differing job options and career paths which may stem from those. It is a truly diverse industry, something which is little known outside of the shipping, marine and maritime sectors.

After nearly 15 years in the Marine Surveying field I am currently the Divisional Manager for MIPEC Marine Consultants & Surveyors (formerly Rodds Bay Maritime), boasting 12 full time surveyors and covering most aspects of the profession across a broad geographical area. I am also the Vice President of the AIMS which is most significant given the roots of the association are well and truly anchored in the safe haven of the traditional Master Mariner path to becoming a surveyor! I firmly believe that there is room for all manner of people to enter and enhance the make up of our profession and our institute. For those students looking to Marine Surveying as a future, there are some lessons to be learnt from my journey thus far:

Aptitude for the particular task areas of the profession is most important. One must be prepared to embrace change and diversity as this industry is never static. There are niche positions for those persons who are willing and rewards may be substantial. I do not only refer to earning capacity, but travel, interesting tasks, challenges and a sense of self-worth are all on offer here.

Knowledge should also be highly regarded when working within this profession – not just that learned on the job or through past work experiences, but also through the life experiences we have endured and enjoyed. The combination of experience and intellect is a powerful tool that points one in the direction of knowledge. Where experience is lacking, you will find many within the profession who can advise and mentor.

Colleagues will be an invaluable when tackling challenging situations where the combined knowledge and experiences of a group can point to a solution or, indeed, prevent a mistake which may impact negatively upon a business, a reputation or at a personal level. I hope that any student Marine Surveyors will remain part of the AIMS once they have completed their studies and move onto their working lives.

Instinct or intuition should never be underestimated – if something feels uncomfortable or “smells fishy” then the chances are that it is “fishy”. Always err on the side of caution and seek a second opinion or phone a friend. Many of the decisions made as a Marine Surveyor may be critical to multi-million dollar transactions; moreover, they may be critical to the safety of a person’s life.

Communication skills are the key to safe, efficient and meaningful marine surveys being delivered by the surveyor for clients and employees as the case may be. A survey report which does not address the requirements of the client is of little or no benefit. Much of the work undertaken by Marine Surveyors is unknown and only ever judged on the resultant reporting which follows. Both verbal and written communication skills should be developed to satisfy the scope of the tasks undertaken.

The traditional pathway into marine surveying through being a Master Mariner or having a marine specific trade qualification has served the profession well for many years; however, with the number of Australian seafarers dwindling and many choosing not to pursue a surveying career ashore, the need for replacement of the old guard was identified some years ago. After consultation between industry and government bodies, the AIMS found itself at the forefront of the push to provide new blood for the profession through training and mentoring. I would urge all AIMS members and others to consider the future of the profession by providing opportunities for up and coming Marine Surveyors to gain the experiences and benefit from the knowledge held within our ranks to see the marine surveying profession and the AIMS into the next generation and beyond.  

The following speakers will address the future direction for the profession and how that will be achieved in a way which ensures the standards set by the traditional surveyors are maintained and applied to a new breed of surveyors who can proudly carry on the competent, professional work with a new framework of Government recognition with the full support of what I believe to be the best marine surveying professional industry body in the world.

So in summary, I would urge anyone considering marine surveying as a career pathway to follow their desires. A word of warning -  hang on for a ride that may provide moments of joy and moments of distress, but one that will always throw up surprises along the way, leading you to as yet to be discovered new and exciting careers."