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Florida's Premier Maritime Investigations Specialists
Frequently
Asked Questions About Marine Surveys
Who
pays for the survey?
In a typical
sailboat purchase, the buyer of the boat pays for the
survey.
Who does the surveyor actually work for? Who is the survey
report provided to?
The marine surveyor "works for" the individual
or business entity hiring him. That individual or business
entity which commissioned the marine survey will receive
the surveyor's report. Marine surveyors typically will
not provide the survey or share any survey results with
anyone other than the individual who hired him, unless
instructed to do so by that person.
Are marine surveyors licensed?
No, there is no governmental body or agency that licenses
marine surveyors. However, surveyors can receive accreditation
from the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS)
or the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS).
Both SAMS and NAMS require at least 5 years of experience
and administer exams that must be passed for the surveyor
to be accreditation. Both organizations also require continuing
education to main surveyor accreditation. Boat US, as
well as other boat insurance companies and boat loan lenders,
maintain lists of yacht surveyors whose surveys they accept
for purposes of financing a boat or insuring a boat.
How long does a marine survey usually
take?
The survey itself generally can be completed in a few
hours to a full day. The surveyor may need several days
after the physical survey to complete his written report.
The larger the boat and the more systems it has, the longer
the survey and report will take. Your surveyor can give
you a more precise estimate of his schedule and time frame.
Should the buyer be present during
the survey?
While a survey can be performed without the buyer being
present, it can be helpful for the buyer to be there during
the survey itself. The surveyor may be able to point out
certain items and explain their meaning more easily while
on the boat itself. Surveyors may also make comments or
observations that aren't significant enough to include
in the final report, but which may add to the buyer's
understanding of the boat's condition. The buyer also
has an opportunity to ask the surveyor questions and ask
for clarification of the surveyor's comments.
Who else should be present for
the survey?
The owner of the boat, an authorized representative, or
a licensed captain should be present to operate the boat
and its systems. The surveyor must be able to focus his
attention on inspecting and evaluating, not on operating
unfamiliar equipment. The owner or his representative
should stay out of the survey process except to operate
the boat and its equipment as needed.
Who should not be present for the
survey?
Generally, a marine survey will proceed most smoothly
if there are no children or pets present. Additionally,
friends and relatives who will not have an ownership interest
in the boat will often be more of a distraction.
Should the boat be in the water
or out of the water for the survey?
Ideally, most surveyors would prefer to have an opportunity
to evaluate the boat while it is operating in the water,
particularly to evaluate the functioning of the engine
and the running rigging of a sailboat, as well as to inspect
the boat out of the water. The in-water part of the survey
can often be done during the sea trial, but some boat
surveyors prefer that the sea trial be conducted separately
from the survey. Most marine surveyors consider a survey
incomplete if they are unable to evaluate the boat both
in and out of the water.
Who pays for the marina's haul
out fee?
The buyer of the boat (the person who is commissioning
the survey) is responsible for all costs associated with
the survey, including the haul out fee.
What should be done to make sure
the boat is ready for surveying?
If the boat has been winterized, or is in storage at a
marine or at the broker's yard, the seller or the broker
should re-commission the boat as would be done at the
beginning of the boating season. Gear stowed elsewhere
should be returned to the boat. Batteries should be charged.
Water and fuel tanks should be filled. The engine and
generator should be started and tested. In general, the
boat should be made ready for taking out on the water
as if for a day sail. These preparations are not the surveyor's
responsibility, and should be completed prior to his arrival
at the boat.
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