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The
reasons for requiring a vessel to be surveyed are numerous, but are
most frequently related to the purchase of a vessel, or for renewal of
insurance. By clicking on the links to the left, you will find details
of the services offered. |
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Insurance Condition & Valuation Survey
An insurance survey is intended to reassure underwriters that a
particular vessel is worthy of favourable consideration as an
insurance risk. On vessels over twenty years old it is usual for
insurers to require regular surveys. Different insurers may require
different levels of survey, and the exact extent of the survey
necessary should be clarified if any doubt exists. However, in most
cases, an out of the water condition survey is required.
A typical Insurance Survey concentrates on hull condition and the
general safety of the vessel, an open market valuation will normally
also be assessed.
Visible and accessible areas of the underwater hull will be examined,
by hammer soundings, ultrasonic point residual thickness measurement,
or moisture meter readings as appropriate. If the hull has not been
cleaned, or retains substantial layers of paint or pitch, then clearly
an inspection of all areas is impossible. In such circumstances the
surveyor will scrape clean sample areas, both selected on the basis of
his assessment of likely areas of defect, and also selected at random.
The assessment of condition will be based on the evidence presented by
the sample areas inspected, and obviously a degree of risk remains, in
that, other unexpected defects may be concealed by paints or fouling.
The Insurance survey report does not usually provide comment on
cosmetic matters, build quality, or fitness for purpose, unless this
is of significance to insurability. An Insurance Survey does not set
out to offer advice which may be relied on in deciding whether or not
to buy a particular boat, and it may be unwise to rely on a survey
report produced for an owner’s ongoing insurance purposes when
purchasing a boat.
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Scope of
survey
Download survey request form
Click here for a quotation |
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Standard Pre-Purchase Condition Survey
A Pre-Purchase Condition Survey is intended to examine all significant
visible aspects of the vessel’s structure and equipment. Hull
condition will be assessed as for an insurance survey, and similar
comments apply with respect to hull cleaning.
The survey will examine visually all accessible parts of the vessel
and its equipment, in a generally more extensive manner than for an
insurance survey, using as a guideline similar safety standards as are
applied to an insurance survey, but comment will also be included on
significant cosmetic factors, fitness for advised purpose and overall
build quality. Systems, plumbing, gas, electrical etc. are inspected
visually without test unless specifically requested. To allow the best
possible survey it is important that, if possible, the client arranges
with the vendor to open up and clear as much of the boat as is
practicable.
A written report is prepared, containing recommendations for repair
and improvement graded with respect to priority. Unlike the Insurance
Survey, the Pre-Purchase Survey report may contain an opinion on
overall suitability for advised purpose, and be worded to assist in a
decision as to whether the vessel is worth acquisition. The surveyor
is open to discussion and clarification of the report, and will
generally be open to reasonable consultation afterwards.
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Scope of
survey
Download survey request form
Click here for a quotation |
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Hull Structure or partial Survey
A reduced scope survey sometimes carried out on relatively
new boats. This type of survey may satisfy requirements of finance
companies, or form the basis for making a decision as to whether to
proceed with a full condition survey.
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Scope of
survey
Download survey request form
Click here for a quotation |
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Valuation Survey
A valuation survey is basically a brief inspection of the vessel to
ascertain its general characteristics in order to estimate an open
market valuation. The inspection assumes that the vessel’s structure
and mechanics are in reasonable condition for age. The valuation can
be carried out afloat or ashore and does not make any statement about
hull condition. The potential open market value of the vessel is
assessed using the surveyor’s experience of the current market. Note
that the open market valuation may be substantially different to
replacement value, particularly in the case of specialist or vintage
vessels.
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Download
survey request form
Click here for a quotation |
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Small Commercial Vessel Code of Practice Surveys
MCA Code of Practice compliance surveys are carried out through the
YBDSA certifying authority. The Code has been developed for
application to UK vessels of up to 24m load line length which are
engaged at sea in activities on a commercial basis, and which carry
cargo and/or not more than 12 passengers, or provide a service in
which neither cargo or passengers are carried, or are UK pilot boats.
Typical examples of commercial use would include: boats operated by
charter companies and sailing schools; boats operated by clubs,
associations, universities etc.; workboats, pilot boats, and boats
used for angling/diving parties.
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Download
survey request form
Click here for a quotation |
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Tonnage measurement
Tonnage measurement is offered to clients who wish to register their
vessel on Part 1 of the British Registry (i.e. the Red Ensign
registry). Tonnage measurement surveys are carried out through the
YBDSA certifying authority.
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Click here for a quotation |
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Individual requirements
Most requirements can normally be accommodated under the headings
above; however, if you have more specific requirements that you would
like to discuss, or require a survey tailored to your particular
circumstances or needs, then please call, or use the online contact
form to explain your requirements.
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Download
survey request form
Click here for a quotation |
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Preparation for Survey
For a condition survey the vessel should, ideally, be prepared as
follows:
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The vessel should be ashore or held
in slings
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The vessel should be clean and free
from fouling
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Pressure washing is normally
required
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Arrangements for access to the
vessel should be made
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If possible, loose gear and
equipment should be removed from the vessel
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Survey costs
The cost for a standard pre-purchase or insurance condition valuation
survey varies with the size of the vessel; but for your guidance, the
cost for a typical GRP production yacht would be around £275 for a 25
ft boat, and around £400 for a 35ft boat. For vessels over 40ft length
please call or use the contact form for a quotation. Additional
charges apply for multi-hulled vessels and boats of timber
construction, typically 25%-30% of the fee for a GRP boat or
mono-hull. Fees for partial surveys are set at around 70% of the
standard survey fee. Code of practice compliance survey fees are
charged in accordance with currently pertaining YBDSA guidelines.
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Click here for a quotation
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