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What exactly is it that a yacht surveyor does? A Marine Surveyor is somebody who performs an inspection on a boat in order to assess the Vessels overall condition. The type and detail of the marine survey will vary depending on the client's actual instructions and requirements. For example if the survey is prior to buying a boat and the owner is happy with the operating equipment on the vessel then the survey may simply be restricted to the condition of the Hull and Bulkheads. Alternatively the proposed purchaser may require a full survey of the vessel including all the operating equipment and the engines. Some surveyors will defer the report on the engines to a marine engineer where as some surveyors will be marine engineers,in their own right, and therefore be happy to report on the engines. It varies from surveyor to surveyor. A Marine Surveyor can also inspect the vessel and its related equipment to ensure that they comply with any relevant legislation for their intended purpose. This could apply to vessels being used for charter or in a commercial way. This would include all the related safety issues related to the operating of vessels in such circumstances. A Marine survey would normally cover the following: The structure of the vessel including the Hull and Bulkheads. The machinery and related operating equipment. Navigational requirements including lighting. Safety requirements. Radio and Radar equipment where applicable. The general condition of the vessel will be taken into account including the equipment on board and its operational condition. Marine Surveying can be very useful in the field of marine insurance and the underwriting of insurance risks. Depending on the age and manufacturer of the vessel an insurance company may insist on a survey before insuring a vessel. They may require to know both as to condition of the vessel as to whether it is sea worthy and therefore represents a good risk for insurance purposes and also as to value. This is so that they can properly provide and quote for the cover required to insure the vessel. Also marine surveying will be needed in the case of any accidental damage as insurers usually will not have the training or experience needed to perform the required assessment of any damage or repairs that are required to a vessel. Sometimes a surveyor could be employed directly by an insurer but even then they are always regarded as having that certain degree of professional independence so that they present the facts in an unbiased way. More often than not an independent surveyor will be retained by the pleasure boat clients of the insurance company in order to provide expert evidence and advice to support any claims for damage and repairs that are made against the insurer. An insurer cannot, of course, direct its clients to use a specific surveyor but will often be willing to provide a listing of surveyors who they approve of or indeed are known to them. There are very many ways to train to become a marine surveyor. There are even correspondence courses which cover some of the theory. But as with most things there is nothing that beats real hands on experience. Some people do an apprenticeship and have perhaps gained a lot of practical knowledge and experience from working in the marine industry. Others may simply open a marine business based on their commercial marine experience. The American U.S. Coast Guard does not in any way certify or approve Marine Surveyors. Many small craft surveyors will tend to specialize in dealing with smaller vessels that in the main will be used for pleasure boating and recreation. In conclusion whilst there are many other tasks that a Marine Surveyor can do probably the most useful one is that of a pre purchase survey report for a client seriously considering buying a boat. This is a very good idea as it will high light any problems and possibly save serious sums of money if any problems are detected.
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