Ian Biles
Master Mariner, BEng (Hons), MA, CEng, CMarEng, DipMarSur, FNI, MIIMS, MRINA, MIMarEST, MSNAME, MSCMS, MHCMM, AMS (SAMS), MEWI, MRIN
Ian started sailing with his father at the age of 12 and went to sea upon finishing school. He sailed worldwide for 13 years on a range of commercial ships spending his leave sailing yachts around the United Kingdom and in the Mediterranean. Throughout this time, Ian studied for various qualifications passing his Royal Yacht Association Ocean Yachtmaster Certificate in 1982 and Class 1 Master Mariner Certificate in 1984.
In 1988, Ian was recruited by Shell International Marine who sponsored him to return to university to study for an honours degree in naval Architecture. He went on to take a masters degree in Business Management.
Ian began his own marine surveying and consultancy business in 1992 at which time he became involved with the International Institute of Marine Surveyors and was subsequently elected as President for a three year term in 1999.
Ian is possibly one of the most qualified marine surveyors in the business
Mr Richard Cray
BEng (Hons), MIIMS, DipMarSar
Richard started sailing with his father from an early age and developed a love of the sea. Having studies engineering at university, he developed a base understanding of engineering principals, which led to his systematic way of thinking.
Having spent a number of years working in the finance industry as a senior manager, Richard retrained as a yacht surveyor. As a self confessed 'boat nerd', his passion was in boating and he has always wanted to work in the industry.
Richard has owned and sailed a number of boats, from racing modem yachts to creek crawling in a small bilge keel yacht. He has taken long breaks from work to cruise extensively with his wife on his sadler.
Richard has a wide range of surveying experience from small sailing and motor boats to the worlds most renowned superyachts. He believes that the fundamental surveying principals are the same regardless of the type of vessel.
Pete Crispin
Pete came into the marine surveying industry via a non-traditional route, but one that is becoming more and more common. After 14 years in the music industry, he ran a clothing brand for eight years. He then started training as a marine surveyor in his late 30’s. It wasn’t a complete change of direction as he had previously owned various sea, river and canal vessels, and lived on narrow boats at Little Venice in London for 15 years until his girlfriend proclaimed that enough was enough, and asked that they find somewhere with central heating and a bath!
Pete has built up considerable experience since changing careers and now regularly works in the UK and around the world. His regular work mostly involves superyachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, oil tankers and commercial shipping in Africa and the wide variety of craft on and around the River Thames
Jonathan Hadley-Piggin
BSc (HONS,) MA, Dip Law, MNI, MRIN, MHCMM, ACI Arb, Solicitor
Jonathan Hadley-Piggin is a partner and heads the marine law group of the law firm, Ashfords LLP. Jonathan attended Warsash Nautical College in Southampton sponsored by BP Shipping where he gained a Class III Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer). Following time at sea with BP he later gained a commission in the Royal Navy and attended Britannia Royal Naval College, then, sponsored by the Navy read for a degree in Maritime Law and Economics at the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology.
In the Royal Navy he specialised in navigation, serving in frigates and nuclear submarines before leaving the Navy to pursue a career in law. Jonathan trained with the City firm, Stephenson Harwood where, following qualification, he specialised in commercial charter disputes, collision and salvage. In 1997 he moved out of London to concentrate on the leisure sector acting for yacht owners, insurers, banks, charter companies and other organisations in the marine leisure sector both in the UK and abroad, particularly in the superyacht arena. Jonathan is a regular speaker at industry events and lectures on the MCA Master Yacht qualification course for aspiring yacht captains.
Mike Wall
BSc, MSc, FIMarEST, CMarTech, AFNI, QDR
Mike 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.
During his career Mike has obtained his First Class marine engineer’s certificate of competency, Class 1 Hong Kong Local Master’s Certificate, a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Studies and Master of Science degree in Shipping and Maritime Studies. Experience has been gained in most areas of shipping with 8 years as a lecturer in Maritime Studies, culminating in 5 years as Senior Lecturer at Warsash College of Maritime Studies, UK. Since leaving full time education, Mike has continued to be a visiting lecturer at various establishments and regularly carries out training seminars for various shipping organisations.
Twenty years experience has also been gained in hull, machinery and cargo surveying in the USA, New Zealand, Fiji and South East Asia,. Most of this has been based in Hong Kong, providing a wide range of marine consultancy and surveying services to P&I Clubs, Shipowners, Shipmanagers, 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 shipping technical articles to various maritime publications and is currently editor of FLASHLIGHT, the free emailed monthly newsletter distributed to 4,000+ marine surveyors around the world.
His book entitled ‘Hatch Covers - Operation, Maintenance and Testing was published in 2008 by Witherby Seamanship International. His second book entitled ‘Report Writing for Marine Surveyors’ is was published by Petrospot in February 2011.
He is a Fellow of IMarEST, Chartered Marine Technologist and Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute.
Mike is currently retired in Thailand but still provides training and consultancy services to the maritime industry