A marine surveyor is a fact finder hired to go over a boat with a fine-tooth comb, find out what’s shipshape and what’s not, and through careful inspection help the client make an informed decision about any potential investment in the boat.
What is the most important attribute a good marine surveyor should possess?
A surveyor should be an unprejudiced third party with no conflicting interest. Their primary job is to comment on technical facts only.
Pre-purchase Surveys: Our certified surveyor will examine the vessel in detail to identify any deficiencies. You can then make an informed decision about the purchase and/or price.
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Insurance Surveys: This is required by insurance companies to gain and maintain vessel insurance.
Tonnage Measurements: Andaman Marine Surveyors (AMS) under the banner of the International Institute of Marine Surveyors (IIMS) & MECAL is approved by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency to undertake Tonnage Surveys on vessels of up to 24 metres length for British Registration.
Damage Surveys: Accidents can happen. We can assess the damage, advise on repairs and if required, oversee work.
Consultancy: AMS offers expert advice and technical guidance to assist you in making an informed decision about a vessel.
Valuation Appraisals: Need to know the value of a vessel? We can conduct a valuation appraisal to establish a fair market price.
Damage/Loss Investigations: Appointed by the Underwriters, AMS investigates insurance claims in order to establish the cause and extent of the claimed damage and loss.
New Build Quality Control Inspections: Let’s get it right in the factory before the vessel is handed over to you. We can conduct regular checks on the vessel whilst it is being constructed to ensure that you get the best possible boat from day one.
General Condition Assessments (GCA): A GCA consists of a brief inspection of the vessel in order to provide the owner, yacht broker or potential buyer with an independent overview of the vessel and the equipment listed, either prior to the owner listing the vessel for sale or a buyer making an offer to purchase it.
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Pre-end of Warranty Inspections: With this service we check that any warranty issues are recorded with the dealer or manufacturer before the vessel or machinery warranty expires.
Follow up Surveys: We can make certain that work agreed to in the sales contract has been completed to a satisfactory level.
Loading & Discharge Surveys: We can observe and record the loading and unloading of your boat, documenting any damage for insurance purposes.
Specialist Surveys: AMS has qualified technicians on call to conduct specialist surveys for rigging, mechanical and electrical systems.
Ultrasonic Thickness Testing: AMS conducts ultrasonic thickness testing in order to establish exactly how much hull material is between you and the deep blue.
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Electrochemical Potential Check: Don’t wait until it is too late. Have AMS measure the electrochemical potential of your vessel to establish if it is adequately protected against galvanic corrosion.
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FRP Moisture Detection: AMS conducts moisture testing to detect & establish moisture retention levels in a FRP vessel’s hull, deck & superstructure.
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Stray Current Corrosion Detection: Is your boat adequately protected from Stray Current Corrosion? Contact AMS to test your vessel.
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Risk Assessment & Safety Management Plans: Vessel owners & operators have a legal duty of care to ensure the safety of a vessel and its operation. AMS qualified staff can assess your boats and operation in order to identify risks and develop a tailored safety management plan for your operation.
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Ideally a Pre-purchase Survey includes an in-water inspection, sea trial and a haulout inspection to survey underwater hull surfaces, steering and drive gear.
During a standard Pre-purchase or Insurance (condition) Survey the following will be inspected and the condition reported on:
- Hull, deck & superstructure
- Interior
- Electronics & navigation aids
- Electrical systems
- Propulsion systems
- Steering systems
- Tankage & plumbing
- Spars, rigging & sails (inspected from deck level)
- Anchoring equipment
- Safety and firefighting equipment
- Auxiliary equipment
What’s included in the Survey Report?
Our reports with embedded photographs vary in length from 30 to 60 pages and describe the construction and condition of the vessel, its components and systems at the time of inspection.
If deficiencies are discovered in the course of the survey it does not necessarily mean it is a bad boat. It simply means that problems have been identified. Hence we use three grades in our report:
Priority 1 – Urgent Recommendations: These are problems that require immediate attention and must be addressed before the vessel is next used. The surveyor believes they endanger the crew and/or the vessel, and may also be in violation of local laws.
Priority 2 – Recommendations: These refer to maintenance items that should be corrected in the near future to maintain standards and ensure the vessel retains its value. If not addressed, they may become Priority 1 problems.
Observations: These are less significant maintenance items that could lead to further issues and/or reduce the vessel’s market value.
The report will also include a statement of the vessel’s overall condition and an estimated fair market value of the boat, based on comparable sales or industry data.
How long does it take to complete a Pre-purchase Survey?
It really depends on the size, type and complexity of the vessel. On average a Pre-purchase Survey of a 12 meter monohull including survey inspection, sea trial and report writing would take approximately 28 hours to complete. The survey report would then be available within three working days.
What does a Pre-purchase Survey cost?
The survey fee is based on the length and type of the vessel to be surveyed.
Contact anthony@ams-sea.com today for a personalised quotation.
Please remember that the cheapest is not always the best and you often get what you pay for.
As the client how can I get the most out of a Pre-purchase Survey?
Let the surveyor know about any deficiency that would absolutely disqualify the boat in your mind and advise of any special requirements so that the surveyor can check these items first.
We also welcome clients to be present during the survey inspection and if so I will discuss my findings with them as the survey progresses. The survey inspection might be the best and only introduction you get to the vessel and its systems.
Adequate preparation for a Pre-purchase Survey will reduce the possible number of items identified in the Survey Report, assisting the sales process and preventing delays in closing the sale.
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This can be a difficult job as the industry is largely unregulated which means anyone can set up business and call themselves a marine surveyor.
Yacht brokers may provide buyers with a list of local surveyors but they should maintain impartiality as to who you select to ensure that the surveyor is totally independent and there is no conflict of interest.
Associations such as the International Institute of Marine Surveyors (IIMS) list their thoroughly vetted members on the website’s “Surveyor Search” so you can browse the profiles of hundreds of marine surveyors around the world by surveyor, company name, or by country.
Web searches may also identify marine surveyors in your region, which for reasons unknown, did not make it on to the yacht brokers list.
Things to consider when choosing a surveyor:
- Do they have a work permit and are they legally allowed to work in Thailand?
- Do they hold a qualification such as a Diploma in Marine Surveying?
- Are they a member of a professional association and therefore governed to abide by the association’s codes of ethics and rules of practice?
- Are their surveys accepted by insurance companies and financial institutions?
- Do they have the skill, competency and knowledge to survey the type of craft requiring inspection?
- Is a sample survey report available for you to view?
- Are you welcome to attend the survey and learn more about the boat?
Why should you choose AMS for your next survey?
- Professional Accreditation.
Read more - Technical Qualifications.
Read more - Practical Experience & Knowledge.
Read more - A genuine enthusiasm and passion for our work and all things boating.
- Independent & Unprejudiced.
- Clear, concise and practical information is provided in order for you to make an informed decision about your investment in a vessel.
- Proactive thinking about your boating needs.
- Adaptable and willing to customise our services for your needs.
- Personalised service with clients welcome to attend surveys & sea trials.
- Comprehensive, accurate, factual and impartial survey reports.
- Survey reports include a “Findings & Recommendations Summary” with graded deficiencies.
- Peace of mind knowing that we care.
What boats have you previously surveyed?
Click here for a selection of the wide range of vessels previously surveyed by AMS.
What is the largest vessel you have ever surveyed?
73 meters (240 ft.).
What is the most expensive vessel you have ever surveyed?
+ 30,000,000 Euro
How long have you worked in the marine industry?
My entire working life has been spent working in the marine industry working on a range of vessels in a wide variety of roles.
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What is the hardest part of being a marine surveyor?
Although heat, dirt and confined spaces are all part of the job, my love of boats and desire to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew makes these things bearable. I find that the hardest part of the job is establishing a “Fair Market Price” because at the end of the day the vessel is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
What is the best part of being a marine surveyor?
I get to play with big boats I couldn’t afford to buy.
What do you do in your spare time?
Take the family out in our boat, go yacht racing and play with boats.
Where can I find out more about the services provided by AMS?
Details on the full range of services we provide can be found on our website at www.ams-sea.com
How can I contact you?
Anthony Gates (IIMS DipMarSur, AIMS DipComMarSur)
Tel/WhatsApp: +66 (0)81 893 9985
Email: Anthony@ams-sea.com
Web: www.ams-sea.com