Often, a surveyor charging less than his competitors is most likely inexperienced or not fully vested in the profession. Of course, anyone can print a business card and build a website saying they are a surveyor. On the contrary, career surveyors are very qualified, members of SAMS (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors) and/or NAMS (National Association of Marine Surveyors) and are current with these organizations’ stringent educational and ethical requirements. As a result, an experienced surveyor will charge a fair price and provide a full survey of the vessel’s condition. Additionally, you are provided valuable feedback on repair options and resources.

To sum up, we can answer that by telling you the advantages that a survey provides:

• Firstly, a list of safety hazards that may endanger you and/or your family.
• Secondly, a detailed list of deficiencies that can effect the price of the vessel and/or help in your negotiating a purchase price.
• Thirdly, an insurance record of the condition of the vessel at the time of survey, which is invaluable in the case of a collision/allision, sinking or fire.
• Lastly, our marine surveys come with a formal record of condition for a future buyer.

First, we inspect every accessible area of the vessel from bow to stern. We will inspect the hull and deck structure, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems. However, we do not engage in destructive testing. Therefore, we do not disassemble systems or compartments to gain access to every part of the vessel. Actually, compartments, joinery, or fixed parts are not considered “accessible” within the normal scope of an inspection. That being said, if circumstances arise in which some disassembly is required to determine the condition of a particular system, the surveyor may recommend, as part of the report, further inspection by a qualified marine technician.

Also, the report includes the surveyor’s opinion of the vessel’s fair market value, which will help you set a sale price or negotiate a purchase price.