A marine survey is a detailed inspection of a vessel’s condition and systems – think of it as a comprehensive health check for your boat. A professional survey provides the detailed information you need to make decisions about purchase, maintenance, and safety upgrades. Beyond protecting your investment, insurance companies and finance houses often require a proper survey; most importantly, it helps ensure the safety of everyone aboard.
During a survey, a qualified marine surveyor systematically examines every accessible part of the vessel, from the hull structure to the electrical systems, engines, safety equipment, and onboard comforts. This thorough inspection helps identify potential problems that might not be visible to the untrained eye, from structural issues that could compromise safety to mechanical problems that could lead to expensive repairs.
Sam is an IIMS (International Institute of Marine Surveyors) trained surveyor and a SAMS Associate Surveyor of small yachts – up to 24m – specialising in fibreglass sailing vessels and marine system installations. Based on the island of St Martin in the Caribbean she provides yacht surveys throughout the Caribbean region.
Table of Contents
Types of Marine Surveys Offered
Surveys are carried out for different purposes:
The Pre-Purchase Survey
Includes:
- Full condition evaluation
- Systems testing
- Sea trial procedures
- Market value assessment
If you’re planning on buying a boat, a Pre-Purchase Survey is a thorough and independent assessment of the condition of the vessel. It checks to ensure that the vessel being sold is the one the buyer is hoping to own, that it agrees with the sales particulars, and provides a valuation that relates directly to the age and condition of the vessel and the state of the market in the area where the boat is being sold.
There will be:
- an in-the-water inspection,
- an out-of-the-water inspection and
- a sea trial.
Every aspect of the vessel is accessed and evaluated, looking for structural, safety and maintenance issues.
A Pre-purchase marine survey is carried out on behalf of a buyer, after he has made an offer to the seller or the seller’s broker, and after the offer has been accepted. The offer is usually made “subject to survey” which means that the buyer has the opportunity to amend his offer should the survey turn up something which was not foreseen. In extreme circumstances, the results of the survey can result in the buyer pulling out of the sale.
For this reason, it is important that the surveyor has not been chosen by the seller or the broker; the surveyor should work only for the buyer.
The industry norm is to charge by foot of boat length so I do the same; prices are higher for liveaboard vessels with more complex systems. Rates can be found on my Pricing page here.
The Insurance Condition Report and Valuation
Includes:
- Safety equipment inspection
- Structural evaluation
- Compliance checking
Also known as an Insurance Survey. This marine survey is carried out for the boat owner, normally as the result of a request by an insurance company and aims to provide assurance that the boat is fit for the purposes that the owner wants to use it, is safe to use for those purposes, and is a reasonable risk for the insurance company at a given valuation.
Some surveyors will tell you that it is not as thorough as a Pre-Purchase Survey, and, indeed, an inspection is normally carried out either in the water or out, rather than both, and a sea trial is not normally included. However, the responsibility of the surveyor is equally important for an Insurance Condition Report and Valuation and every accessible aspect of the vessel is still inspected and evaluated.
As it takes a little less time to complete, a Condition and Valuation survey costs a little less than a Pre-Purchase one.
The industry norm is to charge by foot of boat length so I do the same; prices are higher for liveaboard vessels with more complex systems. Rates can be found on my Pricing page here.
A Charter Phase-Out Survey
Includes:
- Full condition evaluation
- Systems testing
- Sea trial procedures
- Market value assessment
Carried out for the owner of a vessel that is exiting a yacht charter fleet such as Dream Yacht Charter, Moorings or Sunsail, the Charter Phase-Out Survey ensures that the condition of the vessel being handed over to the owner is as he expects. It is similar in scope to Pre-Purchase Survey as it examines all aspects of the vessel and includes a sea trial.
This type of marine survey will also include an inspection of the maintenance records for the vessel to ensure contracted maintenance has been completed and to identify any repairs which have been carried out over the lifetime of the vessel. It includes a valuation of the boat for insurance purposes. The Charter Phase-Out Survey generally involves a follow-up visit to ensure that remedial work has been carried out satisfactorily.
Again, to obtain an accurate and objective report, it is important that the surveyor for a Charter Phase-Out Survey has been appointed by the owner, and not chosen by the charter company.
The industry norm is to charge by foot of boat length so I do the same; prices are higher for liveaboard vessels with more complex systems. Rates can be found on my Pricing page here.
A Vessel Walkthrough for an Absentee Buyer
If you are considering making an offer on a boat that is a long distance from your location, engaging a skilled, independent professional to take a look over the vessel before you get on a plane can be a good idea! Travel costs to inspect unsuitable or poorly described boats can quickly mount up and you can save yourself both time and money in getting me to do it for you!
I will normally spend an hour or two checking the high value and structural items and link you to an album of pictures and photos showing the current condition of the vessel.
Walkthrough inspections are charged by the hour; rates can be found on my pricing page here.
A Damage Report
Includes:
- Accident assessment
- Insurance claim support
- Repair recommendations
As the name suggests, this type of marine survey is carried out following damage to a vessel from natural or accidental causes. The inspection is normally confined to the damaged area but should consider all potential damage which may have occurred during and as a result of the incident.
A Damage Report is usually commissioned by an insurer. It may include interviews with connected parties to help ascertain liability, and will normally also include an estimate of cost to repair the damage.
Damage inspections are charged by the hour; rates can be found on my pricing page here.
A Rigging Inspection
All masts should be unstepped (taken down) and inspected thoroughly at ground level at least every 5 years; more often if the boat is used for racing or is sailed frequently in heavy weather. Although some surveyors will go up the mast to inspect the rig as part of a Pre-Purchase Survey, and I have no issues with doing so if requested, it is not possible for someone clinging to the mast in a bosun’s chair to give your rig anything more than a cursory glance.
A Rigging Inspection should be carried out by a qualified and experienced rigger if the mast is still in place, or at ground level the surveyor can be expected to make the level of inspection necessary to highlight rigging danger points.
Rigging inspections are charged by the hour; rates can be found on my pricing page here.
A Valuation
A simple valuation may be required to help you set a sales price for your boat, or to finalise a divorce or partnership settlement. I will always expect to make a short visit to the vessel to establish key information and get an overall impression of the condition. After this I will use boat valuation tools and research to determine a realistic market value.
Valuation Reports are charged by the hour; rates can be found on my pricing page here.
A Tonnage Measurement
Often when you decide to change the registration country (flag) of your boat, you will be asked to obtain a tonnage measurement. This is a specific series of measurements taken on board to determine the gross tonnage of a vessel set out in the maritime law of the country concerned and which can only be carried out by an approved measurer.
Tonnage Measurements are charged by the hour; rates can be found on my pricing page here.
The Survey Process
A marine survey is a snapshot in time to establish the condition of a vessel at the time of the inspection. The physical inspection and sea trial will be completed within a day, where possible; occasionally this might push into the following day depending on the condition and complexity of the vessel and the availability of other factors.
What’s Included in a Survey
A marine survey will cover all of the structural aspects of a vessel, its equipment and systems, including, but not limited to:
- Hull and structure
- Deck and fittings
- Propulsion system
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing systems
- Navigation equipment
- Safety equipment
- Interior comforts
For a better understanding of what’s covered in each type of marine survey, please click the links on the tabs above and, by all means, request to see a sample report before choosing to go with me.
The Survey Report
Marine Survey reports are a summary of the vessel as it was found at the time of the inspection, including the background of the make and model, any modifications made since its manufacture, confirmation of the hull identification number, and the registration and ownership.
Each aspect of the vessel is summarised in turn and any defects found are reported, giving thought to the gravity of the defect. Actions to fix the defect are recommended. Recent high-value or important maintenance or upgrade expenditures will be evidenced with a copy of the invoice as an appendix.
Photographs are included where they add value to the written content of the report. In SAMS reports additional photographs may be included as an appendix.
Finally, an overall assessment of the condition of the vessel is made, applying this to the boat valuation tools available and online information in order to arrive at a valuation for the vessel.
Preparing for a Marine Survey
To carry out an effective and efficient survey inspection, the boat needs to have as few personal effects on board as possible. Normally, a seller will have removed his personal items in preparation for a sale, but all too often I find lockers and bilges are stuffed full!
Lockers and bilges need to be emptied to allow a proper inspection of the structures behind.
It is also helpful if the seller has boat documentation, maintenance records and invoices to hand as these will be requested as part of the inspection.
Common Issues Found
The most common issues I find during marine surveys in the Caribbean include:
- Out of date propane hoses, liferafts and flares
- Crazed plexiglass in hatches and boat windows
- Poorly secured batteries and electrical cabling
- Gelcoat/fibreglass damage and stress cracks
- UV damage caused to deck blocks, navigation lights, sails, canvas, vinyl and ropes
- Hurricane damage and repairs
- Loose deck fittings
- Soft decks
- Osmosis
Why Use a Professional Surveyor
The thorough inspection of a vessel by an experienced and independent eye can provide peace of mind before you invest your hard-earned dollars in a piece of floating real estate. Not only are deficiencies identified before you buy, but you have a clear understanding and list of any maintenance items not yet dealt with, or safety issues which are essential before you invite loved ones aboard.
The formal written marine survey report provides leverage in discussions for price adjustments based on the findings and is accepted by insurers in support of an application for insurance on your boat.
Whilst an experienced boater can make a good stab at carrying out a DIY inspection, it’s likely he doesn’t follow a structured inspection framework supported by lengthy and quite tedious training and expensive specialised tools! And if he’s the buyer, he might get swept away in his enthusiasm for a boat and miss issues that could turn out to be both costly and/or dangerous.
Credentials
Sam has studied under the International Institute of Marine Surveyors (IIMS) based in the UK and is an Affiliate Member. She is also an Associate Surveyor for the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) in the USA.
Both of these Marine Surveyor Organisations impose strict entry requirements involving the submission of a detailed CV, references and example reports. Each has a set of operating standards to which members adhere, ensuring the quality and consistency of inspection work and reporting.
Booking Information
Sam is available for marine surveys throughout the Caribbean area from a base in St Martin. Please contact her for availability.
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