The Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA), has announced the signing of a Membership Agreement with the internationally renowned Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), enabling reciprocal arrangements for members of both organisations.

The new agreement will allow all Full and Accredited members of the YDSA to become Corporate members of RINA (MRINA) without submitting detailed documentation. In addition, Full and Accredited YDSA members who can demonstrate a minimum of five years superior responsibility, via submission of a Professional Review Report to RINA, may also be elected to Fellow of RINA (FRINA). YDSA Affiliates members can apply to become an Associate Member of RINA (AMRINA).

The agreement also ensures all RINA members who work in the surveying of small craft will have their RINA membership taken into account when applying for YDSA membership.

Chairman of the YDSA, Duncan Saunders, said: “We are honoured to have achieved this partnership with RINA, who are seen as standard-bearers within the marine industry across the world. The partnership is recognition of the standards the YDSA strives to achieve with its membership, and we look forward to working alongside RINA to extend the opportunities for training and development within both organisations.”

YDSA members seeking RINA membership will benefit from receiving a professional qualification which is internationally recognised as demonstrating the achievement of the highest standards of professional competence and integrity.

For further information about the YDSA visit www.ydsa.co.uk.

For further information about RINA visit www.rina.org.uk.