A Marine Survey is a statement of opinion from a professional marine surveyor about the condition and value of a vessel based upon his detailed first-hand inspection.  I survey according to Federal (USCG) and American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards and as a member of SAMS®  all of my surveys must meet or exceed the SAMS®  Recommended Survey Report content requirements.

Vessel in Slings

Pre-Purchase Survey

The most comprehensive type of survey which is normally done prior to the purchase of a new or used boat.  The surveyor should be engaged by the prospective buyer as it his interests that the surveyor will be working for.  This survey should be an exhaustive inspection covering every detail affecting the boat’s condition and safety including a thorough evaluation of all onboard systems, structural integrity of all components, the extent of existing problems, suggestions for upgrades and needed repairs.  The vessel is best  inspected both in and out of the water and underway for a trial run.  The Pre-Purchase Survey also provides an estimate of the vessel’s Fair Market Value (FMV) to make sure you don’t pay too much, along with an opinion of its condition and replacement cost.  If you are purchasing a boat or yacht you should always insure that the purchase agreement and price are contingent upon a satisfactory Marine Survey.

Condition & Value Survey

This inspection may be required by insurance companies when a vessel is acquired and at periodic intervals thereafter to insure a safe risk for coverage.  It may also be requested by financial institutions to determine value of a vessel for loan or estate valuation.  Many aspects of the Pre-Purchase inspection are covered, but with greater emphasis on potentially hazardous flaws and safety issues.  Precise identification of all valuable gear and an opinion of the vessel’s fair market value and insurability are always included.  For older boats and new policies, insurance underwriters normally require a haul out inspection to inspect the vessels wetted area and underwater machinery.

Damage Survey

The purpose of a Marine Damage Survey is to assess the extent of the damage sustained by the hull, rig, systems or elsewhere on the vessel.  The report presents information on the probable causes of the damage, recommendations on repairs, and validates repair estimates for such work.  Surveyors are typically hired by insurance companies to investigate claims.  Occasionally, a surveyor is hired by the boat owner directly to investigate out of the ordinary degradation or damage.

Walk-Through

– If you are considering the purchase of a vessel but are a substantial distance away, I can perform a ‘Brief Walk-through’ of a prospective boat to help you decide whether it is ‘worthy’ of investing in the cost of a full Marine Survey.  After the walk-through, I will forward you photos and my initial opinion of the vessel.

Vessel in Slings

 Survey Limitations

Most Marine Surveys are non-destructive in nature.  As a result, hidden flaws and latent defects which can not be discovered without dismantling the boat or disassembly of equipment are not assessed.  Locked doors, hatches or panels that are screwed down will not be surveyed unless opened by the owner or his representative.  It is in the owners or the buyers best interest (dependent upon the type of survey) to have these panels opened up prior to arrival of the surveyor to allow for proper inspection.

The same can be said regarding excess gear and equipment that blocks access or impedes visibility.  Having to look over, under, around and even through mountains of personal effects or unnecessary equipment makes the surveyor’s job even more difficult if not impossible.  All items that are not necessary for the safe operation of the vessel or will not be conveyed with the sale (if Pre-Purchase) should be removed from the vessel prior to the survey.

Survey of rigging on sailboats is performed from the deck level only.  No attempt will be made to go aloft.  Personal property or equipment should be removed to facilitate access for the survey.

In addition, the surveyor can only report on the boat’s  condition as it existed at the time of survey.  No warranty of condition or performance is provided.

If any removal, disassembly or destructive testing is to be performed, written authorization from the vessel’s owner must be procured in advance.

Recommended Survey Content

All surveys produced by Safe Passage Marine will adhere to the ‘Recommended Survey Report Content’ prescribed by SAMS®.  Each report will contain the following information as a minimum.  Damage surveys will be somewhat different as the survey focuses only on the area of damage as presented by the claimant.  Thus many systems and other equipment may or may not be included within the survey.

The purpose of the survey will be stated along with the name of the party the survey was conducted for; who requested the survey, when the survey was conducted and the date the report was produced.  The survey location and how the vessel was observed; on the hard, in water, on trailer, etc.  A listing of all parties present at the time of the inspection will be included.
The scope of the survey is primarily set during the initial contact with the client.  Will the vessel be hauled or will the survey be in the water only?  Will there be a sea trial?  Will shore power be available?  Will shore water be available?  LPG?  A good survey will document in its “Scope of Survey” what was surveyed and what was not.  The conditions, weather, location, availability of power, water, gas etc. will be listed as they impact the conduction of the survey.
Prior to accepting the assignment, and if discovered at any time during the assignment, the surveyor must disclose to the client and in the report any services regarding the subject vessel performed by the surveyor within the prior three years as a surveyor or any other capacity.  The surveyor must also disclose any relationship with the seller, broker or vessel owner.
The survey will contain a statement describing which voluntary standards (ABYC, NFPA, ISO, etc.) if any, were used in reporting the surveyor’s findings.
The report will contain accurate and adequate information to positively identify the subject vessel.  Name of Vessel, current owner (if known), Hull Identification Number (HIN), kind of vessel, manufacturer, Model and model year and/or year of manufacture.  Photographs of the vessel and it’s HIN.
Equipment for use or operation of the vessel required by regulation (CFR, FCC, EPA, State, etc.) will be listed in the report.
The structure of the vessel; hull, decks, superstructure, bulkheads will be described and reasonably detailed with regards to material, construction and condition.  The hull’s “Wetted surface and underwater machinery” will be detailed if vessel was hauled or the wetted area was inspected by other means.  If the vessel was not hauled a statement will be included regarding the operation and condition of ‘below the waterline’ or ‘thru-hull’ fittings as noted from the interior of the vessel.
All vessel systems will be listed and described with regards to condition, operation and or deficiencies.  Some common examples;

Introduction
Hull Composition and Structure
Propulsion Machinery
Tankage & Piping
Bilge Equipment
Emergency Equipment		 Rigging
Electrical Systems
Electronic Navigation Equipment
Fire Extinguishing Systems
Heating / Cooling		 Dinghys & Tenders
Ground Tackle
Dewatering Systems
Shipboard Amenities
Miscellaneous
Deficiencies in inventory or systems and required systems not observed in operation should be specifically noted with the report.  The report will also include the surveyor’s opinions and recommendations to improve the vessels safe operation.
The report will produce a Current Market or Fair Market Value and a Estimated Replacement Value for the vessel.  A description of the way the Fair Market Value was derived will be included.   This description will identify sources of information used to arrive at such a value.
The report will finish with a statement of certification by the surveyor with his signature and the date the report was submitted.