MEET THE TEAM

Eric McIlwain | Chair

Eric is the Managing Director of Hastings Marine and Engineering, a marine surveying and engineering business he established in 2013. Eric has had a career in the maritime industry spanning more than 35 years with roles as a Chief Engineer, Ship Repair Manager,
Technical Superintendent and more recently that of Marine Surveyor. He is an AMSA accredited surveyor, accredited for initial and periodic surveys for domestic commercial vessels. Eric also undertakes a range of marine surveying services for his clients from small recreational surveys to large ship and cargo surveys. As Chair, Eric is responsible for the development and oversight of strategic direction, succession planning and sound business operations in conjunction with the Board and CEO.

Greg Marsden | Vice Chair

Greg has been a marine surveyor for over 5 years, prior to this working within the defence industry, specialising in test and evaluation. Greg is the Director of Marsden Marine Ship Surveyors based in Wellington, New Zealand. Greg is a MNZ and AMSA qualified and recognised marine surveyor and an Inspector with the International Marine Certification Institute specialising in CE compliance. Greg is also undergoing specialist training in marine accident investigation through the UK's National Maritime Training Centre. Greg is the first New Zealand representative to join the AIMS Board and is keen to continue to foster the linkages between our Australian and New Zealand membership and surveying community. As Vice Chair, Greg supports the Chair in his duties, including stepping in on occasion
where the Chair is unable to fulfil his role.

Capt. Scott Aiton | Company Secretary

Scott is the Director of Gibson, Minto and Aiton Marine Consultancy, with over 20 years’ experience as a marine surveyor. Prior to this, Scott began his seagoing career with BHP Transport before moving into tugs, working as a tug master in the ports of Newcastle, Sydney, Port Botany and Port Kembla. Scott has been a member of AIMS since 2003, following in the footsteps of his father Neil, who is one of the founding members of AIMS. As Company Secretary, his role is to monitor the compliance of all board activities and processes in conjunction with the CEO.

Capt. William Burton | Director

In January 1970 my plan to leave home, have no more school and see the world came to fruition when I was part of the Junior Entry to HMAS Creswell at Jervis Bay. There was more\ school, but we marched about and played with boats. With the new Federal Government, I was handed an Honourable Discharge and went off to sea for the next thirty-three years in the Merchant Navy, on various ships and cargoes, in both Coastal and International waters. Currently with Plumley Pearson and White, William started surveying in 2006 with MCC Marine after moving down to Brisbane from Carins. In December 2011 elected a Member of AIMS and watched the Institute grow and improve.

Wade Nagel | Director

Wade is the director of Adapt Marine, a marine surveying and consulting company established in 2022. With over 15 years industry experience, Wade has served in various marine engineering roles before moving ashore where he gained valuable experience in all
aspects of vessel management, and ship repair/new build on Australian Flagged vessels, both DCV and RAV. Having spent the past 8 years working ashore, doing marine surveying on the side Wade decided it was time to transition into a full-time marine surveying role where Adapt Marine was established to service both the recreational and commercial marine sectors. He is AMSA certified in multiple categories (G, H, I, J, K, L, N and O), in addition to AMSA DCV Surveying Wade is experienced in change of flag surveys, DCV/RAV gap
analysis, on/off hire and pre purchase inspections.