Pre-Purchase Survey
When buying a new or second-hand vessel, it is strongly advisable to have the craft inspected by an independent Marine Surveyor.
The following is the scope of work covered for a fibreglass (GRP) motor boat.
Hull & Deck Structure:
- General Visual Inspection
- Osmosis inspection & moisture meter readings
- Assessment of external & internal structure
- Bulkheads, framing & reinforcement
- Attachments for chain plates, keel, deck hardware etc.
- Openings, ports, windows
- Skin fittings & sea cocks
- Steering gear
- Stern gear
- Stanchions, hand rails, jackstays
- Bilge pumping
Machinery:
We are able to run up the machinery and assess the power transmission, but will not perform compression tests or oil analysis. We conduct a general external inspection of the installation including bearers, hoses, fuel system and stern gear.
Electrical:
General external inspection of installation, switch boards, batteries & electrical items, operated but not tested.
Plus inspection of:
- Ground tackle
- Gas installations
- Fuel installations
- Fire fighting equipment
- Water installations
- Toilet installations
- HVAC
- Generators
- Hydraulics and other installed systems
Insurance Survey
An insurance company will almost certainly ask for a survey to assess the risk of underwriting. This type of survey covers the structural integrity and general safety of the vessel. An assessment of value is included in the report.
The scope of work is typically the same as for the full pre-purchase survey, though the report may be a little briefer. You should check with your insurers exactly what scope is required; they may be happy with a reduced scope.
Damage Inspections
We are called upon as required to make an independent assessment of damage to a boat to back up an insurance claim. The scope of work is highly variable and is contingent on the nature of the damage and extent of the claim.
Valuation Survey
Our surveys are acceptable for insurance, mortgage, probate or other reasons and are based upon a Pre-Purchase survey.
External Hull Inspection and Osmosis Check
This survey considers only the external condition of the hull and comprises:
- Moisture meter readings
- Visual inspection, removal of sample areas of anti-fouling and assessment of blistering
Engine Surveys
When purchasing a motor cruiser your engines are the prime movers and the safe and efficient operation of your vessel is totally reliant upon them. They are a major cost factor in the price of your boat and can be expensive to repair or replace after purchase.
When you buy a boat the condition of its engine is uncertain. Experience shows that few owners keep engine servicing records and fewer make them available during pre-purchase surveys. Unless the engine is stripped-down, the surveyor has little clue what is going on inside, despite the machinery`s appearance. So what can be done be done to protect the buyer`s interest?
We take oil samples from engines and gearboxes and obtain a spectrographic analysis of the particles suspended in the lubricating oil. From the reports produced it is possible to make an assessment of the most likely condition of the engine and gearbox together with the identification of the components most likely to be wearing or corroding.
In the absence of analysis, the surveyor is reliant on eyes and ears. This type of check will tell you something about an engine but it is very limited in scope. A visual inspection of exhaust gases will also give a limited indication of an engine`s condition.
Oil samples can also be taken as an aide to servicing. Most engines require servicing after a given number of hours running time. But elapsed time does not take into account the conditions under which those hours were consumed. Marine engines encounter varying loads under operation and, as already mentioned, long periods when they are not used at all.
