1. Has been a Member of the Institute for at least five years continuously prior to nomination, and
2. Has served on seagoing ships for an aggregate of at least six years and has in the opinion of the Councilmade significant contribution to the advancement of nautical science, the maritime profession, or theobjectives of the Institute; and either
3. Has held a position or positions of superior professional responsibility for an aggregate of at least threeyears. For this purpose, the Council will consider any of the following and may recognise any otherpositions which they deem to be equivalent in professional responsibility.
   1. Command of seagoing ship or ships.
   2. The rank of Lieutenant-Commander or above in the Seaman Specialisation of a Naval service.
   3. A first-class Pilot Licence issued by a recognised Pilot Authority.
   4. A senior post in an institution in which nautical science is taught to candidates for any qualificationsmentioned elsewhere in this paragraph.
   5. The post of harbourmaster of a major port or harbour normally receiving ocean going ships; or
4. Holds an Extra Master’s Certificate or equivalent, or a recognised degree in Nautical Studies or Science orMaritime Studies or any discipline approved for this purpose by the Council provided that he/she has held aposition or positions of professional responsibility for an aggregate of at least three years.

Honorary Fellow
To be elected an HONORARY FELLOW the Candidate must be a person whom the Institute wishes to honourfor his or her services to nautical science, to the maritime profession or to the Institute, or whose acceptance of theelection reflects honour upon the Institute. The number of Honorary Fellows shall not exceed twenty-five at any one time and not more than two Honorary Fellows shall be elected in any one year.

Member (MNI)
To be elected a MEMBER the Candidate must satisfy Council as to his/her professional qualifications and thathe/she:

1. Holds an appropriate certificate issued under STCW 78/95 Regulation II/2 for master of ships of 3,000 gross tonnage or more without trading area limitations; or
2. Holds an appropriate certificate issued under STCW 78 (pre STCW 78/95) or pre-STCW 78 certificate ofcompetency as a Master Foreign-going issued by an administration on the basis of examination as established by Council precedence; or
3. Holds an ocean-going Ship Command qualification recognised by Council and issued by a naval service oran equivalent level of naval qualification recognised by Council; or
4. Holds an approved authorisation as a Pilot issued by a pilotage authority, and five years experience as a anauthorised Pilot, as established by Council precedence; or
5. An Associate Member who holds an appropriate certificate issued under STCW 78/95 Regulation II/2 for master of ships between 500 and 3,000 gross tonnage without trading area limitations and has at least fiveyears command on ships accepted for this purpose by Council; or
6. An Associate Member who holds an appropriate certificate issued under STCW 78/95 Regulation II/2 for master of ships over 3,000 gross tonnage with trading area limitations and with at least five years commandon ships over 3,000 gross tonnage; or
7. )An Associate Member who holds a maritime Studies degree or equivalent recognised by Council and has at least five years experience within the maritime industry since the award of the degree; or
8. Holds other qualifications approved by Council for this grade of membership.

Associate Member (AMNI)
To be elected as an ASSOCIATE MEMBER the Candidate must satisfy Council as to his/her professionalqualifications and that he/she:

1. Holds an appropriate certificate issued under STCW 78/95 Regulation II/2 for master of ships with tonnage or trading area limitations; or
2. Holds an appropriate certificate issued under STCW 78/95 Regulation II/2 for Chief Mate of ships with orwithout trading area limitations; or
3. Holds an appropriate certificate issued under STCW 78/95 Regulation II/1 as Officer in charge of anavigational watch of ships of 500 gross tonnage or above; or
4. Holds a pre-STCW ‘78/’95 Certificate of Competency on the basis of examination deemed by Council as an equivalent level of qualification as specified in 4. i) to 4. iii) above; or
5. Holds a naval service Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate and Ocean Navigation Certificate deemed byCouncil as an equivalent level of qualification as specified in 4. i) to 4. iii) above; or
6. Holds an approved authorisation as a Pilot issued by a pilotage authority that does not meet the criteria setout in 3.(iv) above; or
7. Holds other qualifications approved by Council for this grade of membership.

Companion (CNI)
Every Candidate for election to the class of COMPANION shall be a person, such as a naval architect, marineengineer, lawyer, or yachtsman, not being a qualified member of the Nautical Profession as set out in 3. and 4. above,who satisfies Council that his/her association with the Institute will promote the general advancement or application of nautical science or the maritime profession.

Student member
To be elected a STUDENT the Candidate must be undertaking a course of maritime training or education approved by Council. Duration of student membership is limited to a maximum of four years and the student will beencouraged to become an Associate Member or Companion of the Institute on completion of his/her course of study.

Membership fees
These tables of fees, along with a list of Candidates elected to Fellowship 2009, can be downloaded here (PDF) >>

Entrance fees and annual subscription from 1st July 2009

• In the UK, and some other parts of the world, subscriptions are allowable for tax purposes.
• Monthly journal Seaways is free to all members and would cost £70pa to outside subscribers.