The most common types of marine survey are the Insurance- and the Pre-Purchase Condition Survey.

Insurance Survey
From time to time your boat’s insurance company will require an inspection by a qualified surveyor to determine if the vessel is still an acceptable risk, based on the overall condition, on-board systems and structural integrity. The surveyor also looks at the boats interior and the cosmetic condition of the vessel in order to establish a fair market price and replacement value.

Pre-Purchase Condition Survey
Never buy a boat or Yacht without a survey. No matter how experienced a sailor you are or how many boats you have owned previously, purchasing a yacht without the help of a trained surveyor is asking for trouble. A pre-purchase condition survey is a detailed and comprehensive examination of the entire vessel and all her mechanical and electrical systems. It includes hauling out for a wetted surface inspection as well as a sea trial.

Insurance- and Pre-Purchase Surveys take 1 or 2 days to complete, depending on the size of the vessel and the time needed for haul-out and sea trials. It takes a further 2 or 3 working days to complete the official Survey Report. The survey fee is based on vessel’s LOA.

OTHER SURVEYS

Pre-Purchase Opinion
The perfect solution for anyone interested in buying a used boat, from afar. For example a vessel advertised in a magazine or on a yacht broker’s website. Before you commit to a contract or a deposit, simply assign a qualified surveyor to visit the boat and have a good look around. The surveyor will then advise you whether or not to take the next step.
Pre-Purchase Opinions are “verbal only” and are a great way to save time -and money- for all parties involved.

Appraisal
Less detailed than a full survey, appraisals are carried out to determine the fair market value of a vessel for insurance, financing, partial ownership situations or to determine a selling price before putting a vessel on the market.

Damage Inspection
In case of damage due to collision, grounding or severe weather the insurance company assigns a surveyor to assess the extent and –if required- the cause of the damage. The report includes repair recommendations and –if needed- the surveyor will assist in getting cost estimates for the repair.

Sea Trial
Sea trials determine the performance, handling, sea keeping and reliability of a vessel after re-fit or repairs or when considered for purchase. The surveyor will systematically take the vessel through all its paces, observe the machinery and systems and give you a professional opinion of the vessel in action.

Compliance Inspections]
Planning to register your vessel in a foreign country? The Code requirements for safety equipment, machinery installation and pollution prevention systems can be daunting. Waterline Marine Ltd is familiar with all the documentation and can make the procedure as painless as possible. Most Registrars require a qualified surveyor to sign off on the Compliance Checklist so letting experienced people handle your registration right from the start saves time and reduces the headache factor to near zero.

Safety Surveys
A comprehensive inspection of all safety equipment, installations and procedures on board, to determine if Flag Authority or Code requirements are met. An absolute must –and a great marketing tool! - for vessels in commercial operation such as charter- and dive boats, especially those operating in local Thai waters. Stand out above the rest and show your clients that your vessel is as safe as those operating in their home countries. Waterline Marine Ltd (Thailand) surveys to MCA Small Commercial Vessel (MGN280) Code and/ or SOLAS/IMO standards.

Underwater Hull Surveys
In cases where haul-out or dry-docking is not practical or possible, a diving inspection of the wetted surface is the solution. This inspection can include photos or video footage if required.

THE ROLE OF THE SURVEYOR

A Marine Surveyor’s most important assets are sharp eyes, experience and integrity.

The surveyor works for you, his client, the person that hired his services. The surveyor does not work for the boatyard, the yacht broker or the person trying to sell you his boat.

A professional surveyor has a methodical approach to inspecting a vessel and the ability to convey his findings in a properly constructed Survey Report.

A Survey Report is a confidential document written exclusively for the surveyor’s client without whose permission the contents cannot be disclosed to other parties.

Foremost on any surveyor’s mind is whether the vessel being inspected is safe and “fit for her intended purpose”.

Jeroen Deknatel (Dip Mar Sur) Waterline Marine’s Managing Director
Thirty years of hands-on experience in Thailand’s marine industry.
www.waterline-marine.com/