Patricia - Marine surveyor

I’m a Naval Architect and before joining LR worked for an engineering company and on new building projects.

I’m a Naval Architect and before joining Lloyd's Register worked for an engineering company and on new building projects. In February 2009 I joined LR, Germany, looking for new challenges and of course new career opportunities. I know how 'new building' worked from the builders site and I had an elementary idea how shipping in general works but I never had completely understood the role of a classification society.  At LR I learnt how all parties work together; Owner, Flag Administration and Classification Society. Today I know the role of LR and I know my role in the shipping industry – I’m a marine surveyor, working on behalf of LR and several Flag Administrations, keeping vessels and their crews save and help to protect the marine environment.

Every survey on board is different, it doesn’t matter if you are on board an existing vessel or new build. It depends on the crew, the management, the flag, suppliers, on age and type of the vessel – every job needs its own preparation. You think you are prepared, but from time to time things on board go differently or quite unexpectedly. I’m really glad that I found open-minded, helpful, friendly and experienced colleagues who can help me to deal with every situation I’m not sure in or feeling comfortable with. I found them not only in our German offices – they are around the world. Working together with international crews and colleagues helped me to become more tolerant and self confident with different people and cultures.

My development within Lloyd’s Register?
Maybe I will ask for a temporary job in one of Lloyd’s Register's other offices, just to broaden my mind but at the moment I’m still in a learning process and won’t leave Germany.

Everything at Lloyd’s Register is a learning process, learning here will never end; I think that makes working at a classification society so fascinating.