Pre-purchase surveys

For most marine surveyors, our main job is to provide pre-purchase surveys, also called condition or full surveys. This involves a full examination of the vessel's structure and equipment usually taking about a day which is then described in an objective report. This covers:

A. Scope

B. Summary and recommendations

C. Vessel data

D. Hull and deck structure

E. Steering systems and stern gear

F. Deck fittings

G. Rig

H. Safety equipment

I. Engines

J. Accommodation and systems

For every item, there’s a description of the boat's structure or systems, how it was tested and what the results of those tests are. Recommendations are divided into things which should be dealt with before the vessel is used, and those which should be fixed within the near future to prevent future problems. I spent many years working on boat repair and renovation work and I always accompany any description of faults with advice on how to put them right. Where an older boat requires significant work, I will draw up a specification and can provide follow up support by managing renovation work.

If you are considering several different yachts, I can carry out an initial assessment to help you decide which ones are worth taking further. I also provide partial surveys which just cover the hull, deck and structure. This is helpful for assessing a stripped out racing yacht or a power boat which requires a separate engineer's assessment.

A typical GRP yacht or power cruiser up to about 45' (14m) will take a day. This should include an out of the water inspection, often carried out over the yard lunchtime if the boat is afloat at a local marina. GRP mouldings are inspected, hammer sounded and checked with a 'Sovereign Quantum' marine moisture meter. Steel vessels are checked with a 'Cygnus' multiple echo ultrasonic thickness meter and a plating diagram drawn up to show the difference between the nominal (original) steel thickness and its current condition. Wooden boats usually have to be blocked off ashore for several days and may also require dismantling work in order to access hidden areas. Here the focus is on any decay or deterioration of the wood from rot, marine borers or electrolytic action and on the condition of the fastenings., For older wooden boats I will carry out a 1 hour preliminary inspection to assess if the boat is worth lifting out for survey and what dismantling needs to be done. The cost of this is deductible from the survey fee if you decide to go ahead.

Houseboats

Fixed houseboats, such as those on Shoreham Beach, can be checked on their moorings but with limits to the extent the underwater hull can be assessed. Similarly some boats can be checked on a tidal slipway. I will tell you when you first enquire whether or not I think it possible to get enough information to carry out a proper survey.

Sea trials

For a full survey, all structures, machinery and systems are tested. For high value yachts, and particularly for performance power cruisers, I recommend the survey includes a sea trial. If this can be done on the day of the survey or is local to Brighton it will be included in your fee. This involves bringing the engines up to operating temperature and run for a period at full power. All instrumentation, systems and the installation are closely examined along with any navigation systems. If a more detailed engineer's analysis such as compression testing is required, this can be arranged using local companies. An oil sample analysis can be carried out if required but this only of value if it is one of a series of tests to check any trends or to confirm a significant problem. A one-off analysis will tell you little if there is no information on the type of oil used, when it was last changed and the engine hours in between.

Fees

As a rough guide, pre-purchase survey fees range from £10 to £15 a foot length depending on the size, age and type of the vessel. There are many variables but essentially the charge is time based and that will vary with the displacement, the complexity and condition of the vessel and her systems. You are not charged for travel within 50 miles of Brighton (i.e. Southampton to Folkestone and the tidal Thames). For work further away, car mileage is charged at cost or, for Europe, based on economy fares from Gatwick or Southampton. I have recently assessed boats in Portugal, the Netherlands and Northern France and this can be cost effective for larger vessels. I do not charge VAT. Please use the enquiry form or call me on 07765 35 2364 for a quote.

Follow up phone calls and advice on any aspect of your survey are included in the fee as are insurance or mortgage valuations and tonnage measurements if required. Most people don't get around to renovating or upgrading their boats until some months after the purchase; it's still fine to call me then.

All boat surveys are carried out to the standards set by the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association. I carry full professional indemnity and public liability insurance and work completely independently of brokers or agencies. You will get a verbal or e-mail summary of the boat on the day with a full report delivered by e-mail and post within a week. Although it's unusual, if in the course of a survey I discover a major fault that I think would probably make you reconsider your purchase, I will contact you and offer the option of a partial report rather than carry on and incur unnecessary charges.

More details of the scope of a survey and a typical contract are here

Marine insurance surveys and valuations

Marine insurance surveys address the risk a vessel may present to an insurer. They do not include matters that have no effect on safety or insurability so the emphasis is on items such as through hull fittings and fuel systems, rather than the quality of joinery. An insurance survey report is shorter and will cost about 30% less than a full survey. If there are any significant faults, these will be discussed with you so that you have the opportunity to fix them before agreeing terms with a broker. In this case a short note can be provided certifying that any faults have been addressed.

Valuation surveys are an assessment of the current market value of a vessel on a willing buyer, willing seller basis, taking into account the market for similar vessels and how they compare to yours. A short inspection is carried out to check the vessel's identity, ensure it is as described and has no major faults. These are provided in a format suitable for use as expert witness testimony in court proceedings.

Tonnage Surveys

A tonnage survey is required to register a boat under Part 1 of the UK’s Shipping Register for Merchant Ships and Pleasure Vessels. This is a proof of ownership, not a check of condition, and is needed if a loan or marine mortgage is secured against a vessel. It involves taking several various measurements against set criteria, an inspection of the ownership papers and a check of engine capacity. Fees are charged against a set scale. I provide this service through the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association. The measurements can be included as part of a standard survey.

MCA Code of Compliance Work

The Marine and Coastguard Agency's Code of Compliance sets out the legal requirements for anyone who operates a charter vessel carrying up to 12 passengers. I can manage work to bring vessels up to compliance standard - see the Consultancy section ­ and arrange for necessary inspections to be completed.

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