Marine Survey Services

Marine Surveys

Expert condition and value assessments for marine vessels and purchases.

Pre-Purchase Surveys

Pre-purchase surveys are performed to help you the prospective buyer make an educated decision. There may factors involved and when possible, we recommend working with a reputable broker to help pave the way with the many logistics involved. Pre-purchase surveys focus on the hull and deck structures and include percussion sounding, moisture readings and a non-destructive visual inspection. Once assured that the hull is sound all systems aboard are energized and checked to ensure they are functioning properly. This includes the electrical systems, fuel systems and tanks, plumbing systems, thru hull fittings, steering gear, mechanical systems etc. These surveys are both in and out of water and include a thorough sea trial. Depending upon the vessel an outside mechanical inspection including oil samples may be recommended. On sailing vessels older standing rigging and additional chain plate inspections may be recommended. Call us and we can go over the many factettes involved in the Pre-purchase inspection of the particular type of vessel that interests you.

Insurance Surveys

Insurance surveys, or Condition and Value surveys are often requested by the Underwriter on a vessel that they have had insured for a five-year period or more. The purpose is to ensure that the vessel is still a suitable risk, that there are not any safety deficiencies, and does the market value need to be adjusted. Theses inspections are often performed in water and also often during the off-season while stored ashore. This is a good way to let the underwriter know if you have had any capital improvements that should be taken into consideration. Loss prevention however is the main goal on Insurance surveys to help ensure that there are no issues that can cause the vessel to sink, burn, or hurt someone.  

DAMAGE SURVEYS

Generally performed at the request of the Underwriters after a loss. The surveyor acts as a liaison between the vessel owners,  underwriter's, salvors, and local and federal officials if necessary. These duties range greatly from your typical struck submerged object claim to more complicated recovery claims. The surveyor helps determine the cause of loss,  and work with the repair facilities to ensure that the repairs are fair and reasonable and pertain to the loss at hand. Since 1997 this office has worked with most of the major Underwriter's in the country and handled everything from fire and vandalism, partial and completer submersions,  collisions, groundings, engine and machinery claims, de-masting, lightning strikes, and errors and omissions claims against repairers.   Some of our clients include,  Ace Insurance, AIG, Acadia Insurance, American Reliant, Berkley Off-shore, Boat US, Chartis, Cincinnati Insurance, Farmers Insurance,  Foremost Insurance, Geico,  Hanover Insurance, Ski Safe etc.  

APPRAISALS AND DONATIONS

Vessel appraisals are performed frequently for many reasons including donations, estate reasons, divorce, refinancing etc. Appraisals like Pre-purchase and Insurance Surveys are based generally on a comparative market approach using such resources as Boat Wizzard/Sold Boats and numerous publications available. If no comparable exist, then Like Kind and Quality vessels are used. This office has performed appraisals on classic wooden runabouts for museums, lenders, underwriters and buyers for decades. These assignments range in size from a 1912 16' Old Town Canoe to 131' Schooners and 230' passenger vessels.   

COMMERCIAL VESSELS 

Commercial assignments vary greatly however are most often Underwriter related, like the push boat pictured. On hire/off hire inspections document the condition of the barge or equipment being leased before and after the lease to document set down damage, wear and tear or normal usage. Commercial fishing vessels are generally near shore lobster boats, passenger head boats, whale watching boats etc. On larger vessels it is not uncommon for third party inspectors to perform hull plating thickness testing. 

Commercial claims work often includes Marina Operations such as storm damage to docks and piers, pilings, fuel dispensing equipment, Pedestals, wiring, structures located on piers. These claims are always in conjunction with the repairers and include such things as mobilization of assets, trip and tow plans for moving heavy equipment such as crane barges, pile drivers, dredging equipment. 

Shipping Containers

Shipping containers are inspected to document their condition prior to loading and upon request after being fully loaded.  Containers are inspected to current 49 CFR Part 452-Examination of Containers and UCIRC Guidelines, inspecting door gaskets, prior set down damage, corrosion, impact damage etc. 

John Doe

★★★★★