The green light was given for the IMarE to change its membership structure and at the same timechange its name to The Institute of Marine Engineering, science and technology when Corporatemembers throughout the world voted by an overwhelming majority to agree the move. The IMarE Council urged the change last year in response to a strategic plan, which plotted the future of the Institute. The plan foresaw the broadening of the membership base to include not only engineers, but also professionals such as scientists, technologists and others in the maritime industries with qualifications and experience of equal esteem to their marine engineering counterparts.

Announcing the result of the vote was Peter Gee’s last main formality as IMarE President. He hasserved for two years and handed over the badge of office at the end of the AGM to Professor Tom Ruxton who has been a Vice President since 1995. During Prof. Ruxton’s speech at the Annual Dinner on 9 March he paid tribute to the Institute’s vision and fortitude in progressing change for the betterment and benefit of the membership: ‘It can be said that the Institute is ahead of the game and providing dynamic leadership for the profession.’

He welcomed the opportunity given to broaden the membership structure and told the 800 people in the audience: ‘The Institute’s strategy for the future recognised the binding and future relationship between marine engineering and other maritime disciplines.Prof. Ruxton urged marine scientists, technologists and other maritime professionals to seize theopportunity to become members of what he hoped would become the world’s largest internationalmaritime professional body of its kind.