Code of Ethics

Foreword


Engineering work continues to be an increasingly important factor in the progress of civilization and in the welfare of the community. The Engineering Profession is held responsible for the planning, construction and operation of such work, and is entitled to the position and authority that will enable it to discharge this responsibility and to render 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, Naval Architects, Marine Engineers and Ocean Engineers or (The Society's Professionals), we should recognize such standards, not by passive observance, but as a set of dynamic principles to guide conduct.

Fundamental Principles


Naval Architects, Marine Engineers and Ocean Engineers or (The Society's Professionals) maintain and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of their professions by:
  • Using their knowledge, experience and skill for the enhancement of human well-being and as good stewards of the environment
  • Striving to increase the competence of the professions of naval architecture and marine engineering, and
  • Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their employers and clients.

Specific Cannons


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.

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, in behalf of which they will be ready to apply their special knowledge, skill and training for the use and benefit of mankind.

3) The Society's Professionals shall refrain from associating themselves with, or allowing the use of their names by, any enterprise of questionable character.

4) The Society's Professionals shall advertise only in a dignified manner, being careful to avoid misleading statements.

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.

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.

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.

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.

9) The Society's Professionals shall build their professional reputations on the merits of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.

10) The Society's Professionals shall perform services only in areas of their competence.

11) The Society's Professionals shall cooperate in advancing the professions of naval architecture and marine engineering by exchanging general information and experience with their fellow naval architects and marine engineers and students, and also by contributing to the work of technical societies, schools of applied science, and the technical press.

12) The Society's Professionals shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those naval architects and marine engineers under their supervision.

Approved


November 9, 1923; revised - November 1993; revised - November, 2000.