Author: Tim K

An experienced marine surveyor Fort Myers can inspect all types of ships from the yachts to tankers that are more than 200 meters long. If you are planning on hiring a boat surveyor, it is good to start by understanding their key duties. Here are the key responsibilities that surveyors should fulfil once they are hired.

Boat Surveys

The main duty of a boat surveyor Fort Myers is to conduct a thorough and extensive survey of a boat. Before a new or used boat is delivered, a surveyor is required to analyze the entire vessel to determine its initial seaworthiness. This information is mostly needed in maritime insurance and arbitration. The information also lets the new owner know the exact condition of the vessel they are receiving.

Throughout the life of a vessel, several surveys are usually carries out for various reasons. You can hire a surveyor for annual surveys to evaluate the condition of the vessel on a yearly basis or ask for interim surveys which inspect specific parts of the vessel. If registration or any other formality is needed, a surveyor can be hired to perform special surveys.

Ensure Machinery and Equipment are in Good Condition

Another key responsibility of a marine surveyor Fort Myers is to make sure all the equipment and machinery are working as they should. This includes all the essential components like communications, navigation and engines. The safety and emergency equipment must also be checked in realistic operating conditions. The surveyor has to witness the testing of all components and generate a report.

It is also the job of the surveyor to ascertain the load limits and regulations that have been set for a boat. The surveyor cross-checks the deadweight tonnage and gross tonnage against the vales listed in the stability handbook. This information is essential because it helps know if a boat has been overloaded.

Investigate Maritime Accidents

Accidents are inevitable. When a vessel is involved in an accident, a boat surveyor Fort Myers can be hired to determine the extent of the damage. To do this, the surveyor consults reports of the vessel before the accident. The surveyor is also required to investigate the occurrence of the accident. In most cases, the surveyor is hired to investigate an accident when a boat owner is claiming marine insurance.

Evaluation of Maritime Assets

A surveyor can be hired to provide a fair and unbiased evaluation of a maritime asset. This is important during a sale. The report helps the owner know how much the boat is worth and helps a buyer understand the exact condition of the boat at the time of sale.

There are so many reasons why you might want to hire a marine surveyor Fort Myers. It is always good to stick with surveyors who have been in business the longest. The surveyor must also have a great reputation.

Marine Surveyor Fort Myers

Hiring a marine surveyor Naples is the first thing you should do if you plan on buying a boat, need an appraisal or need help assessing the extent of damage to your boat. Marine surveyors have vast experience in shipping and its regulation and will offer advice and independent boat surveys. There are several types of surveys you can request from a marine surveyor.

Purchase Survey

This is the survey needed when thinking about buying a boat. A boat surveyor Naples offers a comprehensive “Condition and Valuation” survey that may include testing the systems and equipment on the boat and a sea trial. The surveyor inspects the vessel both in and out of water. The primary objective is to offer potential buyers with the information needed to make a more educated purchase decision. This type of survey may also be used to satisfy bank loan and insurance company requirements. The main goal of a purchase survey is to know the current market value of the boat and if it is a good investment.

Limited Condition and Valuation Marine Survey

The purpose of this survey is basically to satisfy insurance requirements. The insurance Condition and Valuation survey can be performed with the boat afloat or ashore. How the survey is conducted will depend on the requirements of the insurance carrier. The survey in most cases does not require sea trials or the testing of systems and equipment. It is, however, good to note that every insurance company has its own set of requirements on what needs to be looked at in a survey. In most cases, the marine surveyor Naples performing the survey will be hired by the insurance company. It is also good to note that the information in the insurance Condition and Valuation report is not enough to make an informed decision on the purchase of the boat.

Appraisal Surveys

These surveys are conducted for the purposes of financing, divorce and estate settlements as well as boat donations. A marine surveyor recognized by the IRS, banks, courts or insurance companies are brought in to assist with the appraisal.  

Damage Surveys

Was your boat involved in an accident? You can hire a boat surveyor Naples to perform a damage survey for the insurance companies, yourself or other vested entities. The survey determines the nature, cause as well as extent of the damage to the boat. More often than not, these surveyors work closely with salvage and tow boat operators when a need arises. The surveyor may also work with a repair shop and boatyards to determine the actual cost of repairs.

Marine Surveyor Naples

If you own a boat or plan on buying one, you will at one point need the services of a marine surveyor Estero. A marine survey can be conducted for a number of reasons. While it is possible to do your own survey, there are situations that require you to work with a professional. This is more so when it comes to resale or insurance. Here are some basic types of marine surveys.

Condition and Value Survey

This is the most comprehensive survey. It is meant to provide a client with an informed, professional opinion of a boat’s condition as well as its fair market value. The survey includes in-depth visual inspection of the boat’s safety equipment, structural integrity, and other miscellaneous onboard systems. The boat surveyor Estero will also take a look at the out-of-water hull inspection as well as a test run. A detailed report will then be provided.

Insurance Survey

The purpose of an insurance survey is to help underwriters determine the condition and insurability of the vessel. This survey is required for initial policy issuance and/or renewal. The focus here is structural integrity, safety and inspection of the systems’ installations as per the ABYC and NFPA guidelines. The safety gear has to be checked and noted for compliance with the federal requirements. Pertinent identification information is also recorded for reference, claims adjustment and valuation.

Appraisal Inspection

This survey is meant to determine the boat’s fair market value. An appraisal inspection may be required in instances like financing, donations, legal cases and financing. The focus of the marine surveyor Estero is to provide his impression of the boat’s condition. The survey here is less in-depth. The report only includes basic information about the vessel, general comments on the condition and the estimated fair market value.

Damage Survey

In the event of an accident involving your boat, a marine surveyor can be brought on to assess the extent of the damages. Damage survey may also be requested when you want to know about the recommended repairs, estimating the cost of repairs and when determining the cause of the damage/accident. When filing a claim, it is good to note that the marine surveyor assigned by the underwriter works for the insurance company’s interests. You have the right to hire your own boat surveyor Estero.

Bearing in mind marine surveyors are not regulated or licensed by any government agency, it is imperative that you conduct a thorough research on a marine surveyor before hiring. Sample survey reports, reputation, experience and recommendations will help you know if you are about to hire the right marine surveyor Estero or not.

Marine Surveyor Estero

A marine surveyor Naples can inspect virtually all types of ships; right from the pleasure yachts that are under 20 meters to tankers that measure more than 200 meters. Their primary duty is to ensure the vessel is functioning properly. There are other responsibilities that a surveyor has. Here are the main duties ones.

Evaluation of Maritime Assets

The main duty of a boat surveyor Naples is to give a fair and unbiased evaluation of a maritime asset. When buying a boat, you definitely want to be certain the boat is in good condition or doesn’t have more problems than the ones disclosed by the original owner. The job of the surveyor is to give you a thorough review of the boat to help understand the exact condition it is in.

If you wish to sell your boat, a marine surveyor can provide you with a realistic figure for the market value: Fair Market Value. The figure given is based on the unbiased analysis performed by the surveyor. The case is the same when buying a boat. An independent surveyor can help you know if the quoted price is fair. A boat surveyor can further help determine the cost of component replacements. This helps determine how much you will need to spend to get the vessel in a working condition.

Ensure the Machinery and Equipment Are Functioning as Required

Another responsibility of the marine surveyor Naples is to make sure the equipment and machinery are functioning as required. This will include essential components like engines, navigation and communication components. Emergency and safety equipment have to be checked under realistic operating conditions. The surveyor has to witness these tests and ascertain the generated report falls within acceptable standards.

Ascertain Load Regulations and Limits

Gross tonnage and deadweight tonnage has to be cross-checked with the values that are stored in the stability handbook of the vessel. It is also required to check draft marketers and load lines. The surveyor helps in load line assignments as well as checks weight distribution.

Investigate Maritime Accidents

Last but not least, a boat surveyor Naples can be tasked with the investigation of maritime accidents. This may be on behalf of a boat owner or an insurance organization. When it comes to an insurance claim, the surveyor has to ascertain the condition of the boat before the accident.

Marine surveyors play a very important role to both boat owners and insurance companies. Regardless of what you need him or her for, it is always wise to make sure the surveyor has the experience and qualification to perform the survey. Don’t just hire a boat surveyor Naples for the sake of hiring one. Hire a surveyor because of their qualifications.

Marine Surveyor Naples

Hiring an experienced marine surveyor Cape Coral is the first thing you must do when purchasing a new or pre-owned boat. This is for the simple fact that you only have one opportunity to identify as many flaws and faults in the vessel as possible before you commit to buying it. A thorough survey is the key to guaranteeing you are investing in a vessel that is worth buying and worth the asking price.

Choosing the wrong boat surveyor Cape Coral may land you in problems. This is more so if the surveyor misses critical defects and flaws. But how do you ensure the surveyor you are about to hire is reliable? There are a number of things you can do when vetting a marine surveyor.

Word of mouth

The first thing you need to do is listen to what boat owners are saying. You can start by speaking with friends who have hired a boat surveyor before. What was their experience with the surveyor they hired? If they were completely satisfied with the service rendered, feel free to ask for the contact information of the surveyor.

Second, you need to search the internet for reviews on the surveyor. For starters, a good surveyor will have a website. Go through their website and pay attention to the reviews and testimonials. Next you need to get independent reviews by making use of the online forums. Reach out to boat owners who have had their boats surveyed and ask about their experience and the surveyor they used. If you have a surveyor in mind, ask people’s experience with them. Needless to say, too many negative reviews are a red flag.

Local boat manager

You should also reach out to the local boat yard manager. These managers’ wok with numerous surveyors and are experienced in reading surveys. There is a good chance your local boat yard manager knows a thing or two about the marine surveyor Cape Coral that you are thinking about hiring. All in all, it is good to always remember that any source of recommendation may be biased or flawed. Don’t take anybody’s recommendation as gospel. Take time to do your own research.

Insurance broker/underwriter

Insurance companies normally have vested interest in seeing you get a thorough boat survey. They never want to take on bad risks when insuring you. As a result, they have a number of reliable boat surveyors they work with. They will also be happy to warn you if you are making a bad choice of surveyor.

If you already found a dependable boat surveyor Cape Coral, contact your insurer and ask if they have special requirements for the surveys or special credentials a surveyor must have. You don’t want to spend money on a survey only for it to be kicked out, do you?

When hiring a boat surveyor, it is always wise to use your intuition and pay close attention to the credentials of the boat surveyor. Check if the surveyor has any professional membership. Only hire someone you feel comfortable working with.

Marine Surveyor Cape Coral

The role of a marine surveyor Estero is to perform a comprehensive check-up for boats. Their services are an equivalent of getting a roadworthy certificate for a motor vehicle. Marine surveys are designed to identify existing problems in a boat, highlight areas of weakness that could possibly cause problems in the future and provide a detailed picture of the overall condition of the vessel. Getting a marine survey may also be a requirement for insurers. With that being said, let’s take a look at what makes a marine survey so important.

To get an unbiased assessment

If you are in the market for a second-hand boat, the current owner might not be aware of existing problems or may choose to not disclose that information. This is what makes working with a boat surveyor Estero so important. Getting an unbiased assessment must be carried out as a condition of purchasing the boat before settlement.

A marine surveyor should be given the chance to assess every aspect of the boat both on and off the water. He will take a look at the structural, plumbing, rigging, mechanical components and electrical systems. The report will tell you if the boat has key weaknesses and if it represents the price you are paying for it.

A pre-owned boat is not a new boat. You need to listen keenly to what the marine surveyor Estero says. Some of the issues that the surveyor may raise can be reflected in the purchase price. If the purchase price reflects the cost needed to correct the issues, the boat may still be a great buy.

To get insurance valuation

Most marine insurers will ask for a full survey of the vessel before insuring it. The assessment is made to determine the accurate value of the boat and to identify major or minor defects or repairs that were made. The objective here is to determine precisely how much the boat is really worth.

Protect your investment

Buying a boat is a huge investment. The last thing you want is to spend your hard earned cash on a boat that will never survive on water. You wouldn’t buy or rent a house without a thorough inspection, would you? The case is the same when buying a boat. The surveyor helps you evaluate every aspect of the boat to help you be certain you are making a worthy investment. A boat surveyor Estero can also be called in to evaluate your own boat so that you know if it has any problems and determine its value.

These are the three main reasons you might need the services of a boat surveyor. The rule of thumb is to never hire just any surveyor that is recommended to you. Take time to consider their experience and reputation. Don’t forget to look at the type of services the surveyor offers.

Marine surveyor Estero

If you have never hired a marine surveyor Fort Myers before, here are a few things you need to know. For starters, getting a marine survey is very important more so when it comes to applying for insurance or a loan on the boat as collateral. However, if you have never had a boat survey, you may have a couple of things you are wondering about. This post looks at the top things your marine surveyor wants you to know.

Do your own research before the survey

A boat is probably one of the biggest investments you will get to make. As a result, you want to be certain you are making the best decision. While a boat surveyor Fort Myers has looked at hundreds or even thousands of boats in his career, he will not be able to know which boat suits you. That is why it is very important that you look at various models and narrow down on the boat that works for you before engaging a surveyor. When you do this, the role of the surveyor will only be advising you on your selected boat. The last thing any surveyor wants to do is have to tell you which boat is best for you.

It is not always about the cost

Although you need to know what the cost charged by a surveyor will cover, you must never choose a surveyor based solely on price. Some of the surveyors offering the lowest rates will give you poor services and you might end up paying for it much later. You don’t want to work with a surveyor that ends up missing important faults, do you? The surveyor you need to work with is one that has years of experience and has a remarkable track record. This does not, however, mean that you shouldn’t try and negotiate the cost with the surveyor.

The surveyor only works for you

When you hire a marine surveyor Fort Myers, you should always remember that he only works for you. This means everything you discuss will be confidential. If you have a broker working on your behalf, you can ask the surveyor to send a copy of the survey to the agent. You also need to remember that a boat survey is only good for a specific period of time. It is a snapshot of the boat’s condition at the specific day the survey is performed.

Ensure the boat is prepared

Last but not least, when you ask a surveyor to come survey your preferred boat, make sure the surveyor will have easy access to it. You should ensure the boat is de-cluttered so that the surveyor doesn’t have a hard time examining it.

A good boat surveyor Fort Myers will be happy to talk things over with you. If there is something in the survey report that you don’t understand, ask the surveyor about it.

Marine surveyor Fort Myers