The most common use of a marine surveyor is to help
you evaluate a yacht or small
craft prior to purchase. You should always arrange for a Marine Survey
BEFORE you purchase a used vessel. When you purchase a used vessel, you are
making a sizable investment, not
only monetarily but also in your recreation, relaxation, quality of life,
and your love of the sea and being on the water.
You want some assurance that the vessel you are looking at will
meet your needs and get a professional opinion of the vessels condition
and value. Well conducted surveys provide good information on the
vessels' condition but they are not guarantees. The surveyor reports the
condition of the vessel and accessible areas only as it existed at the time of the
inspection.
A qualified Marine Surveyor has the knowledge, skills,
experience and training to perform a thorough inspection of the vessel
from stem to stern looking for deficiencies in structural integrity as
well as mechanical and electrical components, safety items, cosmetic
appearance and overall maintenance. The surveyor may in his inspection,
confirm or deny the claims made for the boat by the seller.
As a buyer (or seller), you need to know everything
you can about the vessel before you buy or sell. The marine surveyor will
provide a professional report on a pre-purchase condition and value survey
which details any problematic findings, recommendations
and the fair market value as well as replacement cost. You should
also understand that most
Insurance companies and possibly banks will require a current survey on older
vessels (more than a few years old) in order to underwrite and/or finance the vessel. Finally the most
important reason to obtain the services of a marine surveyor,
is for the safety of your crew and guests.
It
should be noted that a reputable surveyor will be affiliated with
professional and technical organizations like SAMS-Society of Accredited
Marine Surveyors, ABYC-American Boat and Yacht Council, NFPA-National Fire
Protection Association and/or BOAT/US
Technical Exchange.
