IAMI - IAMI History

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IAMI History

History of International Association of Marine Investigators, Inc.

(Updated: 01.15.20)

Administration History Document

Birth of “NAMI” and “IAMI”

Pat Rowland & Kerry McCook, IAMI Past President’s

1986 - 1990 Vessel Theft Investigators National Roster

In 1986, Major Dave MacGillis of the Florida Marine Patrol, organized and published the “First Vessel Theft Investigators National Roster. This roster was intended to assist investigators in combating marine crime by providing contact persons from various agencies involved in marine theft investigations.

It was an effort to network marine investigators combating high profit, low risk marine theft and insurance fraud by providing a contact person to enhance their investigative efforts. The roster was initially made up of approximately 300 officer and agents, both law enforcement and private, who had agreed to assist in the investigation of stolen boats, motors and boat trailers; registration/title fraud; or insurance fraud. When called upon, a spirit of cooperation was expected in doing documented searches, interviews, inspections, or whatever it took to support the successful investigation.

Annual seminars were held in 1986, 1987 and 1988 in connection with the annual training seminar of the Southeast Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. In 1989, a three-day training seminar was held in New Orleans sponsored by the Southern States Boating Law Administrators. The 1989 National Roster was updated to reflect the almost 500 officers and agents, both law enforcement and private who have agreed to assist in investigations relating to marine thefts and vessel title frauds. A Manufacture Identification Code (MIC) data book as well as a boat trailer manufacture book was created. The spirit of cooperation in an effort to support successful investigations continued.

By 1990, over 700 officer(s) and agent(s), both law enforcement and private had agreed to assist in investigations relating to marine thefts and vessel title frauds.

The foundation was laid for the birth of “IAMI Networking”

1991 National Association of Marine Investigators, (NAMI) Inc.

In 1991, the organization was officially established and incorporated as the “National Association of Marine Investigators, (NAMI) Inc.”

Membership categories were: Law Enforcement: Representative of municipal, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies who are full time salaried employees with peace officer powers or are engaged in intelligence gathering. U.S. Coast Guard officials, Special Agents of the NICB and administrative officials of vessel registering or titling authorities were eligible for LE membership.

Non-Law Enforcement: Those persons not covered under LE, including Reserve, Auxiliary or Retired law enforcement officers, shall be eligible for this membership.

Officers and Directors: The officers of NAMI consisted of a President, First Vice president, Second Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and seven Directors. The President, First VP, Second VP and Three Directors shall be Law Enforcement members. The Secretary/Treasurer and four Directors may be Non-law enforcement members.

Partnership with the United States Coast Guard: NAMI and later IAMI instructors began instructing Marine Theft Training as part of the National Safe Boating Instructor Course (NBSIC) and later the Marine Patrol Officer Course (MPOC) at USCG Training Center in Yorktown, VA, and later at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston, SC.

1992 ATS Corpus Christi, TX

Martin Aberg was the first international member in NAMI. This was the first time a marine investigator (LE) from outside the US attended. The Swedish insurance investigation was considered as LE, the same structure as NICB in the US.

1994 ATS Boston, MA

Delegates from Sweden, Germany, UK, Canada and Venezuela besides all delegates from the U.S. During the seminar we pointed out that NAMI should be an international organization since we, at that time, had several international members.

NAMI – Minimum Claims Procedures For Boat Theft Claims

NAMI developed a recommended minimum claims procedure for insurance company management of boat theft claims. The investigative steps contained in the standards were developed in consideration of the loopholes commonly found in marine titling, underwriting, and boat theft investigations. While these recommended procedures are not all inclusive, they can lead claims personnel to ask the questions necessary to increase the potential for recovery of the vessel and/or identification of fraudulent claims.

Tier I - Procedures: Recommended as a minimum for all boat total losses caused by theft, sinking or fire.
Tier II - Procedures: Are for further investigation of those claims which leave you with more questions than answers at the conclusion of the Tier I procedure.

1994 National Association of Marine Investigators, (NAMI) Inc.

April 1^st, 1994 – Original Articles of Incorporation filed in Tallahassee, Florida and listed as a 501(c) (6) corporation.

1994 – 2005 Character Hull Identification Number Project
IAMI along with several other organizations including NASBLA, NICB, Boat U.S., NBSAC, EU Commission and AU Marine Forum requested the Coast Guard expand the current 12 character HIN format to 17 characters.
Expanding the HIN format to 17 characters would result in a vastly improved watercraft theft and recovery reporting system. The FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC) maintains records of all stolen watercraft reported by the law enforcement community. NCIC records for the year 2000 indicated that over 80% of all stolen watercraft were less than 20 feet in length and only 20% of the stolen watercraft are recovered. This recovery rate compares with a 68% recovery rate of stolen vehicles for the same period. NICB believes requiring a 17 character HIN, similar to the 17 VIN required on vehicles, will greatly enhance the recovery rate of watercraft, as well as improve the theft reporting process. Since the crime issue is of paramount importance to elected officials and the public today, all attempts should be made to streamline efforts among law enforcement, federal and state regulatory authorities and the insurance industry to combat watercraft theft. We still have the original 12 Character HIN formats.

1995 National Association of Marine Investigators Membership Roster

U.S.A. Members: 918 in 47 States

Various Countries’: 63 members in 14 Countries

1996 International Association of Marine Investigators, (IAMI) Inc.

June 5, 1996 – Corporation name amended to International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI), Incorporated. IAMI Europe held its first annual training conference in Southampton, United Kingdom. Since then, seminars have been held at many locations throughout Europe including – Hamburg, Liege, Stockholm, Lignano, Rotterdam, Mallorca, Dubrovnik, Cork, Ibiza, Tallinn, Riga, Malta and Athens.

IAMI Mission Statement:

To develop and provide high levels of training to law enforcement, insurance investigators, and other marine professionals. Working and training together with both public and private sectors, to combat marine theft, arson, fraud, and other criminal activity in the marine environment.

1996 IAMI Regional Coordinator Program

The International Association of Marine Investigators were divided into regions for the United States. Each region shall have a Regional Coordinator, designated by the Regional Coordinator Director. Regional Coordinators are responsible for identifying and securing State Regional Coordinators to promote and conduct Regional Training Seminars (RTS). They shall also assist hosts to ensure the proper administration / conduct of RTS, including course content in conjunction with the CMI program, securing IAMI certified instructors, teaching aids, local agency assistance, evaluation processes as outlined the Training Directors’ duties.

1997 IAMI - State Farm Partnership

Watercraft Fire Investigations (03/97 - Tape: 130)
Watercraft Theft Prevention (2/97 - Tape: 129)
Watercraft ID & Theft Investigation (11/98 - Tape: 131)

1998 Southampton, UK
Europe held their first annual training seminar in Southampton, UK with 60 delegates in attendance.
1998 IAMI Instructor Program
The IAMI Board of Directors authorized the development of an IAMI Instructor Program to distinguish our members who consistently instruct year after year.
2000 – 2007 IAMI Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
2000 - National Association of Boating Law Administrators
2001 - Florida Marine Intelligence Unit
2002 - Southern States Boating Law Administrators
2002 - Northern Association of Boating Administrators
2002 - Western States Boating Administrators Association
2003 - Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors
2003 - Western States Boating Administrators Association
2003 - Northern Association of Boating Administrators
2003 - Southern States Boating Law Administrators Association
2007 - National Boating Federation
2001 – IAMI Europe Steering Committee:
IAMI Europe Steering Committee was formed. The purpose of the Steering Committee was to facilitate geographically regionalized training and provide personalized membership handling. The EUSC established SOPs in accordance with IAMIs Mission.

2001 – 2009 IAMI Marine Theft Investigations Guide

The original Marine Theft Investigations Guide was completed by investigators and the staff of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Since then, members of the International Association of Marine Investigators Inc. (IAMI)., have contributed materials and guidance in this updated guide. The Marine Theft Investigations Guide produced by SCDNR has been converted to the New Marine Investigators Pocket Guide.

Marine Theft Investigations Guide          2001
Marine Theft Investigations Guide          2004
Marine Theft Investigations Guide          2006
Marine Theft Investigations Guide          2009

2004 IAMI Certified Marine Investigators Program (CMI):

IAMI designed and implemented a Certified Marine Investigators (CMI) Program to recognize those investigators who have the experience and training, in addition to their own area(s) of expertise, to bring a new dimension and insight into their respective fields of endeavor. IAMI Certified Marine Investigator (CMI) designation is limited to IAMI members in good standing who have experience and/or training in a wide range of areas.
The participants must have – high moral character, meet minimum education/experience (high school diploma, minimum of three years’ experience which is directly or indirectly to Marine Matters, Criminology/Law Enforcement, and Insurance), pass the uniform CMI Examination (eligibility to sit for examination – Minimum of 250 credits through any combination of work experience, marine degree, vocational programs, or credits through any combination of work experience, marine degree, vocational programs, or credits through SAMs, NAMs, CFE, CPCU etc.) , maintain required continuing professional education, pay annual Association dues, and abide by IAMI By-Laws and the Code of Professional Ethics of IAMI. This designation for IAMI Members will ensure that marine investigators are qualified in various aspects of marine terminology, forensic photography, investigations techniques, etc. This certification has a mandatory 5-year recertification. The designation(s) shall be limited to members in good standing who have experience and/or training in a wide range of areas including, but not limited to, the detection, prevention and investigation of boat and related thefts, adjusting boat related insurance claims, marine surveying, admiralty law as it relates to recreational boating, cause and origin of fires, marine insurance policy interpretation, accident reconstruction, matters related to hull construction and the operation and repair of motors, and the like.
As of December 5, 2019 IAMI has a total of 113 CMIs. Read more about IAMI’s CMI Program in the Members Only area.

2009 – 2018 IAMI Marine Investigators Pocket Guide

This new guide was approved by the Officers and BODs at IAMI’s Mid-Year Business Meeting held in Portland, Oregon on September 13, 2008. Marine crimes cover a wide range of criminal acts from theft to insurance fraud. In order to investigate marine crimes, the investigator should have some working knowledge of boats and motors. IAMI produced this Pocket Guide as a tool containing information and check lists that will assist the marine professional conducting investigations with the identification of boats, motors, and associated marine equipment. The information was compiled by members of IAMI, Inc.

IAMI Marine Investigators Pocket Guide           2009
IAMI Marine Investigators Pocket Guide           2013
IAMI Marine Investigators Pocket Guide           2016
IAMI Marine Investigators Pocket Guide           2020 (Revision - Work in progress)

2009 IAMI Change in Status:

New Oregon Corporation was formed to seek 501(c) (3) status to enable IAMI access to USCG assets (training facilities) and be in a more favorable position to receive grant money.

February 27, 2009 – IRS letter acknowledging 501(c) (3) status effective March 27, 2008.

March 18, 2009 – 501(c) (3) status announced to IAMI Members at the 2009 Portland, Oregon ATS, at which time they voted to dissolve the Florida Corporation.

2010 Dissolution of Not-For-Profit Florida Corporation IAMI, Inc.

April 15, 2010 – Effective date of IAMI’s dissolution in the State of Florida.

2011 – 2020 IAMI Marine Investigation Manual

The original Marine Theft Investigations Guide was completed by investigators and the staff of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources authorized the International Association of Marine Investigators Inc. (IAMI) to update the Marine Theft Investigations Guide. The new guide was renamed “Marine Investigation Manual”. IAMI members contributed materials and guidance in this revision project. In 2010, a new project was undertaken to produce IAMI’s Marine Investigation Manual. The International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI) has produced the Marine Investigation Manual as a tool to assist the investigator and a study guide for the Certified Marine Investigators (CMI) Program. The Manual is a compilation of various aspects of marine investigation and is simply a tool. The intent of the manual is to assist the marine professional conducting investigations with the identification of boats, motors and associated marine equipment. Many resources to assist the investigator are included throughout the Manual. This information was compiled by IAMI Members.

IAMI Marine Investigations Manual         2011
IAMI Marine Investigations Manual         2012
IAMI Marine Investigations Manual         2016
IAMI Marine Investigations Manual         2017
IAMI Marine Investigations Manual         2020 (Revision - Work in Progress)

2011 IAMI Trademark Application
On August 2, 2011 IAMI applied for and received approval for registration of “International Association of Marine Investigators, IAMI” and its Logo.
2012 IAMI Instructor Program - Updates
The IAMI Board of Directors established that all instructors for IAMI “Core Courses” must be an IAMI Certified Marine Investigator (CMI) or an IAMI Board approved ‘Subject Matter Expert’ within a specific field.
2015 - CMI Instructors: 25 / Subject Matter Experts: 5
· Current number of CMI Instructors: 28
· Current number of Subject Matter Expert Instructors: 3
2019 European Membership

Following the request of the European members, the European Steering Committee of the International Association of Marine Investigators, Inc. rebranded itself into the Global Marine Investigations (GMI).

IAMI Conferences & Regional Training
Each year the Association, in conjunction with its annual meeting, sponsors a three-day training seminar that is open to all members and to all interested law enforcement officers, insurance investigators, surveyors, and Coast Guard Officials. These seminars normally cover the various aspects of marine theft and fraud, boating accidents, and very specific investigative techniques that will assist investigators in their investigations.

IAMI Certified Marine Investigator (CMI) Core Courses

IAMI Members developed the 11 Core Courses for the CMI Program.

Marine Identification – 101
Outboards – 101
Inboard/Outboards – 101
Marine Identification PWC – 101
Federal Carriage Requirements – 101
Federal Documentation – 101
Admiralty Law – 101
Insurance Fraud – 101
Forensic Photography for the Field Investigator – 101
Marine Fire Investigations – 101
Boat Accident Investigations – 101

NAMI / IAMI Annual Training Seminars (ATS)
ATS # Dates Attendees Location
1 Jan 1991 unknown Orlando, FL
2 Feb 1992 unknown Corpus Christi, TX
3 Mar 1993 unknown New Orleans, LA
4 Mar 1994 unknown Boston, MA
5 Feb 1995 245 Charleston, SC
6 Feb 1996 259 Biloxi, MS
7 Jan 1997 173 St. Louis, MO
8 Jan 1998 240 Orlando, FL
9 Mar 1999 223 Nashville, TN
10 Feb 2000 247 Galveston, TX
11 Mar 2001 150 Oklahoma City, OK
18 Feb 2008 155 Baton Rouge, LA
12 Jan 2002 216 Las Vegas, NV
13 Feb 2003 204 Panama City, FL
14 Feb 2004 213 West Palm Beach, FL
15 Mar 2005 188 San Diego, CA
16 Feb 2006 210 Virginia Beach, VA
17 Feb 2007 188 Panama City, FL
19 Mar 2009 177 Portland, OR
20 Jan 2010 139 Galveston, TX
21 Mar 2011 147 Chattanooga, TN
22 Feb 2012 131 San Diego, CA
23 Feb 2013 130 Isle of Palms, SC
24 Feb 2014 110 Oklahoma City, OK
25 Mar 2015 131 Mobile, AL
26 Mar 2016 153 Knoxville, TN
27 Mar 2017 116 Savannah, GA
28 Mar 2018 130 Norfolk, VA
29 Mar 2019 136 Biloxi, MS
30 Mar 2020 North Charleston, SC

NAMI / IAMI Regional Training Seminars (RTS)

Year Location Attendees Coordinator
1995 San Diego, CA 30 Todd Schwede
1997 Seattle, WA 60 Pat Rowland
1998 Southampton, UK 60 Clark / Aberg
1999 Copenhagen, Denmark Clark / Aberg
2000 Southampton UK Peter Clark
2001 Hamburg, Germany EUSC Members
2002 Nieuwpoort, Belgium EUSC Members
2003 Golf Juan, France EUSC Members
2004 Biloxi, MS 50 Bill Dobson
2004 Fredericksburg, VA 24 Kevin Kelly
2004 Liege, Belgium EUSC Members
2005 Baton Rouge, LA 25 Bill Dobson
2005 Germany EUSC Members
2005 Wells, MA 83 Dan Rutherford
2006 Shreveport, LA 22 Bill Dobson
2006 Stockholm, Sweden EUSC Members
2007 Peoria, IL 38 Eric Lundin
2007 Lignano, Italy EUSC Members
2007 Vancouver, WA
2008 Rotterdam, the Netherlands EUSC Members
2009 Ontario, Canada 34 Dick Thorsen
2009 Portschach, Austria EUSC Members
2010 Mallorca, Spain EUSC Members
2010 Gloucester, VA 27 Earl Joyner
2011 Great Lakes 14 David Kacprowicz
2011 Dubrovnik, Croatia EUSC Members
2011 Oklahoma Regional 68 Wayne Skrdla
2012 Sayreille, NJ 104 Dan Rutherford
2012 Cork, Ireland EUSC Members
2013 Ibiza Spain EUSC Members
2013 Portland, ME 55 Dan Rutherford
2014 Tallinn Estonia EUSC Members
2015 So Yarmouth, MA 121 Adam Holloway
2015 Riga Latvia 32 EUSC Members
2016 Qawra, Malta EUSC Members
2016 Sandusky, OH 18 David Kacprowicz
2017 Henderson, NV 55 Todd Schwede
2017 Athens, Greece EUSC Members
2018 Port Orchard, WA 34 Peggy Feakes
2018 Sibenik, Croatia EUSC Members
2019 Henderson, NV 82 Todd Schwede
IAMI Training Seminars - Various Topics
· Admiralty Law
· Insurance fraud investigations
· Changes in the Marine Insurance industry – Internet applications & Underwriting trends
· Computer generated Fake Documents
· Container Theft
· Raising, tracing, and lifting HINs (acid restoration)
· Identification of Marine Crimes – using the internet
· PWC – HIN – VIN Identification
· State vessel registrations / new Coast Guard numbering regulations
· Stolen Boat Investigations – trends and patterns and security concerns.
· Trailer serial numbers, outboard and inboard serial numbers, and vessel identification numbers.
· Updates on changes to Coast Guard regulations and policies
· Updates on the status of NCIC 2000 and VIDS
· Ethics and the claims process (not your usual unfair claims settlement presentations)
· HIN 101
· NICB – who they are and how they can help
· FIRE! – cause and analysis of actual cases, including live burns
· USCG Investigations
· Engine/outdrive/outboard motor identifiers.
· What IAMI Can Do for Me
· Panel Discussions on Case Studies
· Report Writing
· Evidence Collection
· Subrogation in the Marine Claims World
Historically:

Historically the most successful NAMI and IAMI ATSs have been those supported and/or sponsored by local Law Enforcement Agencies.

During 2012 IAMI noticed a decrease in Law Enforcement agencies sending officers to IAMI Training. This was due to Local, State and Federal Budget cuts. Furthermore, most LE agencies would not authorize Out-of-State Travel for any type of training.

Another factor in a decrease of LE membership and/or participation in IAMI ATS training were that several agencies reorganized; disbanding their Marine Patrol Programs and/or placing them under State Police.

1991 – 2019 Leadership NAMI - IAMI
President Years Location
Dave MacGillis 1991-92 Orlando, FL / Corpus Christi, TX
Larry Ross 1993-94 New Orleans / Boston, MA
Dick Blodgett 1995-96-97 Charleston, SC / Biloxi, MS / St. Louis, MO
Jimmy Laird 1998-99 Orlando, FL / Nashville, TN
Brian Ripley 2000-01 Galveston, TX / Oklahoma City, OK
Pat Rowland 2002-03 Las Vegas, NV / Panama City, FL
Karlton Kilby 2004-05 West Palm Beach, FL / San Diego, CA
Sam Bean 2006-07 Virginia Beach, VA / Panama City, FL
Mike Smith 2008-09 Baton Rouge, LA / Portland, OR
Martin Aberg 2010-11 Galveston, TX / Chattanooga, TN
Jay Pragman 2012-13 San Diego, CA / Isle of Palms, SC
Wayne Skrdla 2014-15 Oklahoma City, OK / Mobile, AL
Kerry McCook 2016-17 Knoxville, TN / Savannah, GA
Rusty Russell 2018-19 Norfolk, VA / North Charleston, SC
Secretary / Treasurer
Mike Higgins 1994/2004
Kevin Kelly 2004/2006
Tom Willis 2006/2009
Ian Lance 2009/2010
Ron Morris 2010/2013
Pat Rowland 2013/Present
Executive Directors
Ronnie Rowland 2006/13 Medford, OR
Julie Smith 2013/Present Russellville, MO