Foreword
The Membership of the Society is held responsible for the planning, construction and operation of such work as it applies to the Maritime Industry, and is entitled to the position and authority that will enable it to discharge this responsibility and to render such service to humanity. Honesty, justice and courtesy form a moral philosophy that, associated with the mutual interest among all peoples, constitutes the foundation of ethics. As The Society's Professionals, we should recognize such standards, not by passive observance, but as a set of dynamic principles to guide our conduct.
Fundamental Principles
The Society's Professionals maintain and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of their professions by:
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Using their knowledge, experience and skill for the enhancement of human well-being and as good stewards of the environment;
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Striving to increase the competence of the art, science, and practice of naval architecture, shipbuilding, marine engineering, ocean engineering, and other allied maritime disciplines, and
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Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their employers and their clients.
Specific Canons
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1) The Society's Professionals shall carry on their professional work in a spirit of fairness to employees and contractors, fidelity to clients and employers, loyalty to their country, and devotion to the high ideals of courtesy and personal honor.
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2) The Society's Professionals shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties. They will interest themselves in the public welfare, on behalf of which they will be ready to apply their special knowledge, skill and training for the use and benefit of mankind.
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3) The Society's Professionals shall refrain from associating themselves with, or allowing the use of their names by, any enterprise of questionable character.
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4) The Society's Professionals shall advertise only in a dignified manner, being careful to avoid misleading statements.
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5) The Society's Professionals shall regard as confidential any information obtained by them as to the business affairs and technical methods or processes of a client or employer.
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6) The Society's Professionals shall inform a client or employer of any business connections, interests or affiliations that might influence their judgment or impair the disinterested quality of their services.
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7) The Society's Professionals shall refrain from using any improper or questionable methods of soliciting professional work and will decline to pay or to accept commissions for securing such work.
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8) The Society's Professionals shall accept compensation, financial or otherwise, for a particular service, from one source only, except with the full knowledge and consent of all interested parties.
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9) The Society's Professionals shall build their professional reputations on the merits of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
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10) The Society's Professionals shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
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11) The Society's Professionals shall cooperate in advancing the professions of naval architecture, marine engineering, ocean engineering, shipbuilding, and other allied maritime disciplines by exchanging general information and experience with their fellow Professionals and students, and also by contributing
to the work of technical societies, schools of applied science, and the technical press.
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12) The Society's Professionals shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and
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shall provide opportunities for the development of those Professionals under their supervision.
Approved
Original: November 9, 1923 Revised: November, 1993; November, 2000; November, 2013