| a marine survey? | | | | will then begin his survey on a specific system of the |
| A marine survey, in its simplest form, is an appraisal | | | | boat; these include: |
| and inspection similar to that performed on real | | | | Fuel systems, |
| estate or other items. | | | | Water systems, |
| For starters, if you are dealing with a reputable Yacht | | | | Cooling and heating systems, |
| Broker such as me, he will guide you through the | | | | Electrical systems; both AC and DC, |
| process. I know several marine surveyors that I will | | | | Propulsion system |
| recommend as I’ve had experience with them | | | | Waste system, |
| in the past and I know their capabilities. I will not | | | | Electronics, |
| choose one for you however, as I don’t want | | | | Navigational system,and more. |
| any suggestion of a conflict of interest. | | | | It is usually the engine he will begin with as he will like |
| There are several types of surveys but for the | | | | to examine it before it is started and gets too hot to |
| buyer, the Pre-Purchase Survey is the one you will | | | | touch. He will continue addressing each system in no |
| want. It will be the most comprehensive type of | | | | particular order. He’ll look at each |
| inspection, and is usually requested by lenders and | | | | system’s component then turn it on to insure |
| insurance companies when purchasing a used vessel. | | | | it works; such as lights, cooking equipment, air |
| Condition and overall operation of the vessel will be | | | | conditioning, everything. Some nondestructive testing |
| examined. The value of the yacht will also be | | | | such as sounding the laminate with a hammer, or |
| estimated by the surveyor. | | | | testing with a moisture meter may be included. |
| A thorough inspection will not be rushed and will | | | | And it’s OK to talk to your surveyor and ask |
| depend on the type of survey required based on | | | | him what he is finding, just don’t hover over |
| vessel size, equipment and on-board systems. There | | | | him and get in his way. |
| may be additional services available such as engine | | | | Later in the morning we’ll need to take the |
| surveys, oil analysis, galvanic and stray current | | | | boat to a nearby yard to haul the boat out of the |
| corrosion testing, ultrasonic testing, moisture testing | | | | water to allow the surveyor to look at the bottom. |
| and other non-destructive tests. There may be | | | | This is when we perform the sea trial as well. You |
| additional charges for these and other services. | | | | now get to operate the boat to make sure you like |
| Well conducted surveys can provide good information | | | | how she handles. The owner is on board to assist us. |
| on the vessels' condition, but they are not | | | | Afterwards we lift the boat out of the water for |
| guarantees. The surveyor reports the condition in | | | | about an hour and your surveyor checks the running |
| accessible areas only as it exists at the time of | | | | gear, through hulls and hull for any damage or other |
| inspection. | | | | problems. |
| Do I really need a marine survey? | | | | After we are done with the bottom, the boat is |
| If you are intending to invest several thousand of | | | | placed back into the water and we will continue with |
| your hard-earned dollars in purchasing a boat, a | | | | the sea trial. Again you can operate the boat as |
| marine survey may be the least expensive and most | | | | much as you like. The surveyor will also take the |
| valuable tool you have to assist you in that purchase. | | | | helm to feel the boat and check her steering and |
| A boat operator who knows the condition of his | | | | performance. He’ll also go below to check the |
| vessel is better prepared to handle adversity than | | | | engine while underway. |
| one who isn't. The marine surveyor you hire to | | | | So by later in the afternoon, your surveyor has |
| inspect the boat should have the knowledge and | | | | inspected the entire boat; he has either inspected or |
| expertise to determine if it has been properly | | | | operated everything to his satisfaction so he can |
| maintained and in safe condition. A prudent buyer | | | | give you an objective opinion as what he thinks of |
| should make his final acceptance of the boat subject | | | | your chosen boat. You’ll know before the day |
| to the findings of a marine surveyor. | | | | is over if you have a keeper. |
| Why should you have a vessel surveyed? | | | | Oh, and by the way, it is customary to pay the |
| Most insurance companies and banks will require them | | | | surveyor on the day of the survey. |
| on older vessels. They will need to know her | | | | What should I expect in a marine survey report? |
| condition and fair market value in order to finance | | | | You are hiring the marine surveyor for his or her |
| and/or underwrite the vessel. Knowing her condition | | | | objective opinion of the condition of the boat and its |
| and fair market value before you purchase is also | | | | value. You may not agree with their final findings in |
| important. However, the most important reason to | | | | either regard, but you have benefited from their |
| survey your vessel is for the safety of the | | | | professional opinion. |
| passengers | | | | The survey report will cover the areas inspected and |
| Pre-purchase survey | | | | include recommendations regarding problem areas. It |
| This covers structural integrity, electrical systems, the | | | | will also include a current market value and/or |
| propulsion system, the fuel system, other machinery, | | | | replacement value estimate. |
| navigation equipment, miscellaneous on-board | | | | The marine survey provides a complete report on |
| systems, cosmetic appearance, electronics, and | | | | the subject vessel, and references complete |
| overall maintenance as well as an out-of-water | | | | identification of the boat (including year, make, model, |
| inspection and a sea trial | | | | hull identification numbers, and engine information and |
| Insurance survey | | | | so on). The report also gives detailed information |
| This inspection is performed so that the insurance | | | | about the vessel including description of the |
| company can determine whether or not the vessel is | | | | superstructure and hull, fittings and equipment, |
| an acceptable risk. They are interested in structural | | | | electronics and safety equipment, electronics, galley, |
| integrity and safety for its intended use. Most | | | | engines, electrical system, firefighting equipment, and |
| insurance companies require a survey on older boats. | | | | fuel systems. |
| They will also want to know the vessel's fair market | | | | You should be aware of the guidelines a marine |
| value. | | | | surveyor uses for his comparisons, such as: "The |
| Appraisal inspection | | | | mandatory standards promulgated by the United |
| This inspection is performed to gather enough | | | | States Coast Guard (USCG), under the authority of |
| information to justify or determine the fair market | | | | Title 46 United States Code (USC); Title 33 and Title |
| value of the vessel. This is normally needed for | | | | 46, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and the |
| financing, estate settlements, donations and legal | | | | voluntary Standards and Recommended Practices |
| cases | | | | developed by the American Boat and Yacht Council |
| What to expect during the survey | | | | (ABYC) and the National Fire Protection Association |
| We typically perform the survey in conjunction with | | | | (NFPA) have been used as guidelines in the |
| the sea trial. | | | | conducting of this survey. " |
| The surveyor will meet you, the buyer, at the boat | | | | This tells you the exact information the marine |
| early in the day. The owner is usually there as well as | | | | surveyor used as a baseline for his comments and |
| the Broker. He will begin with an overall inspection of | | | | recommendations. |
| the boat looking for anything obviously different. He | | | | |