WHAT IS A MARINE SURVEY?
Consider a marine survey similar to having a home appraiser; home inspector, building code inspector and fire marshal all inspect your home before closing the deal. Commissioning a marine survey gives you the information and confidence you need to make an informed decision on a large investment and to provide you an evaluation of the true condition of the boat for you and your family's safety. The attention to details are much more important on a vessel when many miles from shore.
The purpose of a survey inspection is to determine, insofar as possible within limitations of visual and physical accessibility, and through non-invasive/non-destructive means, the condition and value of the surveyed vessel. The survey attempts to inspect the structure, systems, cosmetics, levels of compliance with currently applicable mandatory and voluntary standards, and other industry standards and commonly accepted marine practices.
Certain parts of the hull and structure, equipment and machinery, plumbing and electrical systems, and rigging can be inspected only by removal of flats, sole, decking, bulkheads, headliners, tanks and joinery. This would be destructive in nature, prohibitively time consuming, and expensive to restore, and therefore is not done. Components requiring access with tools or by disassembly will not be inspected. Where dirt, marine growth, coatings buildup, rust or corrosion obscures the surveyor's ability to inspect, this limitation will be noted in the report's text. Conditions suspected or discovered by non-destructive methods may be recommended for invasive testing for confirmation. No destructive or invasive methods are involved in the usual survey procedures without the expressed and written prior permission of the vessel's owner.
Sailboats' rig and rigging are inspected from deck level only. Unless otherwise known to be fact, spars and standing rigging are presumed to be original equipment. Where open water voyaging or extended cruising is planned, it is advised that a qualified marine rigger be employed to go aloft for inspection of rigging and/or dye testing of chain plates, etc.
Electronic and electrical equipment is tested by powering up and observing function. No calibrations or adjustments are made. Since they are nearly a consumable at a known cost, batteries are not load tested. Only the external condition of visible electrical wiring, connections and systems installations will be visually inspected. Troubleshooting or analysis of the electrical system can be a separately scheduled and billed service offered by SCS Marine Surveying. To do so always requires removals of joinery, disassemblies, etc., to gain access to components. Generally it is this surveyor's experience that vessels surveyed today never meet all of the applicable standards for marine electrical system fabrication and installation. Aging of electrical systems is further aggravated by the wet and corrosive marine environment, owners' tolerances for poor installations, “do it yourself" add-ons, and a general lack of preventive maintenance. Attention to compliance with electrical standards is critical to avoiding conditions which may lead to fires, explosions and other serious consequences.
The purpose of a survey inspection is to determine, insofar as possible within limitations of visual and physical accessibility, and through non-invasive/non-destructive means, the condition and value of the surveyed vessel. The survey attempts to inspect the structure, systems, cosmetics, levels of compliance with currently applicable mandatory and voluntary standards, and other industry standards and commonly accepted marine practices.
Certain parts of the hull and structure, equipment and machinery, plumbing and electrical systems, and rigging can be inspected only by removal of flats, sole, decking, bulkheads, headliners, tanks and joinery. This would be destructive in nature, prohibitively time consuming, and expensive to restore, and therefore is not done. Components requiring access with tools or by disassembly will not be inspected. Where dirt, marine growth, coatings buildup, rust or corrosion obscures the surveyor's ability to inspect, this limitation will be noted in the report's text. Conditions suspected or discovered by non-destructive methods may be recommended for invasive testing for confirmation. No destructive or invasive methods are involved in the usual survey procedures without the expressed and written prior permission of the vessel's owner.
Sailboats' rig and rigging are inspected from deck level only. Unless otherwise known to be fact, spars and standing rigging are presumed to be original equipment. Where open water voyaging or extended cruising is planned, it is advised that a qualified marine rigger be employed to go aloft for inspection of rigging and/or dye testing of chain plates, etc.
Electronic and electrical equipment is tested by powering up and observing function. No calibrations or adjustments are made. Since they are nearly a consumable at a known cost, batteries are not load tested. Only the external condition of visible electrical wiring, connections and systems installations will be visually inspected. Troubleshooting or analysis of the electrical system can be a separately scheduled and billed service offered by SCS Marine Surveying. To do so always requires removals of joinery, disassemblies, etc., to gain access to components. Generally it is this surveyor's experience that vessels surveyed today never meet all of the applicable standards for marine electrical system fabrication and installation. Aging of electrical systems is further aggravated by the wet and corrosive marine environment, owners' tolerances for poor installations, “do it yourself" add-ons, and a general lack of preventive maintenance. Attention to compliance with electrical standards is critical to avoiding conditions which may lead to fires, explosions and other serious consequences.