MARINE SURVEY - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why Should I get a Marine Survey?

There are several reasons that anyone from a commercial organization to a private boat owner would need a marine survey before utilizing a boat. Purchasing a boat is often a huge expense, and always a large investment. To make sure that you, the potential boat owner, is getting your worth in the business transaction, you should hire a respected and certified marine surveyor to inspect the condition of the vessel. A survey conducted by a professional, experienced surveyor will eliminate future headaches and will prevent you from agreeing to a business transaction that is not in your favor.

There are several pitfalls to be aware of when you begin to search for a boat. For example, the boat may experience osmosis, electrolytic action, stern gland leaks, ill fitting hatches and ports, weakened keel bolts, and suspect sails and rigging. With a detailed, organized, and knowledgeable marine surveyor, these problems and more can be discovered before exchanging any money. The surveyor can not only detect these problems, but he/she can also detect if the boat has been sunk, if it’s been in a collision, grounded, or if the boat has been poorly repaired.

In addition, insurance carriers and financial institutions will require a survey on a boat purchase as they need to know what value and condition it has been assigned.

You, as a prospective buyer of a boat, should have every confidence in the Marine Surveyor you hire.  Island Marine Group's independent marine surveyor has over 25 years experience designing and building marine craft in fiberglass, aluminum and wood for recreational and commercial markets.  
 
A marine surveyor’s responsibility is to give his/her client a detailed analysis of the prospective boat being purchased, financed, or insured. That analysis should be presented to the client in a neat, well-defined, comprehensive, typed report dated and signed by the attending surveyor. This report should include, but not be limited to, information on the quantity, condition and operation of the boat and all systems.

How to Prepare For A Marine Survey

Time and additional expense can be saved by preparing the vessel for inspection and making her more accessible.

Arrange to present a clean, shipshape boat, and have all papers and miscellaneous gear ready. If applicable, you will need to make arrangements with the marina to haul the vessel for bottom inspection, and retain a captain for sea trials. Lockers and cabin areas should be cleared of all miscellaneous gear.

The surveyor should never be asked to prepare a boat for inspection or to pilot the vessel during water tests. The surveyor may request minor dismantling of interior ceilings, headliners, flooring, etc. in order to gain access to the suspected areas. Random removal and examination of below-the-waterline fasteners on wood boats may be required. Any dismantling and re-installation of parts should be performed by qualified personnel and is the responsibility of the person ordering the survey.

Written authorization from the owner may be needed to board and/or to remove part of the vessel.

ONCE YOU RETAIN THE SURVEYOR, HE OR SHE WORKS ONLY FOR YOU AND REPORTS TO NO ONE ELSE. THE SURVEYOR IS THERE TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS!