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A Marine surveyor or Ship surveyor is a person who conducts inspections, surveys or examinations of marine vessels to assess, monitor and report on their condition and the products on them. Marine surveyors also inspect equipment intended for new or existing vessels to ensure compliance with various standards or specifications. Marine surveys typically include the structure, machinery and equipment (navigational, safety,
radio, etc.) and general condition of a vessel. It also includes judging materials on board and their condition. Due to the fact that certifications and subsequently payments are processed only after the surveyor has expressed his or her satisfaction, a marine surveyor holds a prestigious position and is held with much regard in the shipbuilding industry. Marine Surveyors are highly qualified and technically sound and are usually selected after thorough evaluation procedures as vessels ranging from small ferries to enormous crude
oil carriers and cruise liners are approved to sail into the high seas based purely on their
judgement, competence and integrity.
One cannot praise the surveyor (aka inspector) enough for their crucial role in safety, efficiency, and justice. The captain of a vessel is nothing without the approval of the requisite paperwork, signed by an official inspector, annually. The naval architect that conceived of a vessel, the naval engineers which designed it, and the factory technicians which create it
- all are mere pawns in the game of life, their efforts are as naught, when compared to the mighty inspector. No cargo may be transferred, no passenger may embark, without permission from the overseer of all maritime creations, the marine surveyor. As was so well stated by Theodore Roosevelt, formerly the Head Of The Department Of The Navy prior to his election as
President Of The United States, which of course includes the duty as Commander-in-Chief of commanding all marine surveyors employed by the
U.S. Coast Guard: "It is the critic who counts; the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, and where the doer of deeds could have done them better. Effort, with error and shortcomings, is worse than failure. It would be better to know neither victory nor defeat."
Likely he had the naval inspectors in mind when he was quoted thus.
Marine surveying is often closely associated with marine insurance, damage and salvage, accident and fraud investigation as insurers generally lack the training and skills required to perform a detailed assessment of the condition of a vessel. While marine surveyors are sometimes employed by insurers directly they maintain a certain professional autonomy in order to provide an unbiased view. Independent marine surveyors are often employed by the clients of marine insurers to provide evidence in support of damage claims made against the insurer. Insurance companies cannot require customers to use specific marine surveyors (although they often provide a list of recommended or pre-approved marine surveyors who are known to them).
Marine surveyors use many credentials, letters, and terms such as "accredited", "certified",
"qualifed", "AMS", "CMS", etc. There are many ways to train to become a marine surveyor including taking correspondence courses, apprenticing, or simply opening a business. However, marine surveyors pursue their profession independently of required organizations, and there is currently no national or international licensing requirement for marine surveyors. The U.S. Coast Guard does not approve or certify marine surveyors. All association terms and initials represent training and certification by private organizations.
Qualities and Qualifications of a Marine Surveyor
When it comes to defining the qualities and qualifications of a Marine Surveyor, a memorandum of 1834 has not been bettered:
“The utmost care and discrimination have been exercised by the Committee in the selection of men of talent, integrity, and firmness as Surveyors, on whom the practical efficacy of the system and the contemplated advantages must so materially depend; the Committee have in their judgement appointed those persons only…who appeared to them to be most competent to discharge the important duties of their situations with fidelity and ability, and to ensure strict and impartial justice to all parties whose property shall come under their supervision.”
CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES - their key role - IACS
General duties of a marine surveyor.
A marine surveyor may perform the following tasks:
* Conduct surveys throughout the ship's life (building new ship, annual survey, interim survey, special survey) to ensure standards are maintained;
* Perform inspections required by domestic statutes and international conventions by the International Maritime Organization (IMO);
* Witness tests and operation of emergency and safety machinery and equipment;
* Measure ships for tonnage and survey them for load line assignment;
* Attend court as an expert witness and assist in coroner's inquiries;
Investigate marine accidents.
Types of marine surveyor
Government surveyor
A government surveyor performs ship registration surveys, surveys of foreign-going ships and local craft, and generally enforces ship safety standards to insure marine industrial safety. Government-appointed marine surveyors, also called marine inspectors in some countries, belong to two groups that are not mutually exclusive: Flag State surveyors report to the government with whom the vessel is registered, and Port State surveyors report to the government into whose territory the vessel has entered. The Port State surveyors usually have the authority to detain vessels considered to have defects that may result in adverse impacts on life or the environment. Based on their government's legal framework, Flag State surveyors can impose conditions on the vessel such that failure to comply will result in the registration of the vessel being suspended or withdrawn. In this event, the vessel will find it almost impossible to trade.
Classification surveyor
A classification surveyor inspects ships to make sure that the ship, its components and machinery are built and maintained according to the standards required for their class. Classification surveyors often have two roles: one is as a representative of the classification society; and the other as an inspector on behalf of the country with which the vessel is registered (the flag state). The classification role is to ensure that during construction the vessel initially complies with the classification society's rules for construction and outfitting, and thereafter is maintained fit to proceed trading. The Flag State role is based on a clear set of guidelines issued by the registering country. On satisfactory completion of any survey, the classification surveyor makes recommendations to the classification society and/or the flag state. These may be that the vessel has a clean bill of health, or that various defects must be corrected within a given time.
Increasingly, both government and classification surveyors are becoming involved in confirming compliance with international treaties associated with such things as pollution, international security, and safety management schemes. They may also examine cargo gear to ensure that it meets various requirements or regulations. Government and classification surveyors are usually marine professionals mariners, such as a qualified ship's master, engineer, naval architect or radio officer.
Private surveyor
A private marine surveyor may be asked to carry out a wide range of tasks, including examining ships' cargoes or onboard conditions such as fuel quality; investigating accidents at sea (e.g., oil spillages or failure of machinery or structures which are not considered to be critical); and preparing accident reports for insurance purposes, and conducting draught surveys to analyse how much cargo has been lost or gained.
Private surveyors also carry out condition surveys or pre-purchase surveys to determine the condition of the ship prior to charter or an acquisition. Many companies as P&I clubs, ship-owners, brokers, etc. employ or contract the services of a private marine surveyor in order to determine the condition of the ship.
Many traditional companies conduct private surveys. Examples include Bureau Veritas (BV), International Registries of Shipping, Iamsa Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd Registers, Lloyd's Agency Network,
ANCO, Global Maritime, DNV, NKK, and others.
Yacht and small craft surveyor
Yacht and small craft (Y&SC) surveyors specialize in inspecting smaller vessels that are most often used for pleasure boating (both power and sail). Y&SC surveyors may be employed directly by larger marine insurance companies, but most often they are independent practitioners. Since using boats for pleasure (or "yachting") is a relatively recent phenomena, having only been widely practiced for the last century or so, Y&SC surveying has many unique aspects that are not shared with the more traditional forms of marine surveying described above.
Marine
& Boat Insurance Providers Table
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Company
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Type
of Insurance
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Website
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24
hour dinghy insurance
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Dinghy
& Sailboard Insurance Immediate insurance
premiums displayed by clicking onto the class
of craft.
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24
hour dinghy insurance
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ABG
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We've
teamed up with Boatinsure.co.uk to provide our
clients with a competitive online marine
quote: DINGHY, SPEED BOAT, SMALL YACHT, CABIN
CRUISER.
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ABG
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Affinity
Insurance Brokers
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Official
Brokers to the Irish Sailing Association.
Affinity Insurance Brokers, the premier source
for insurance coverage and risk management
advice for Ireland's sailing and fishing
communities.
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Affinity
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Amilcroft
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Cargo
INSURANCE. Take advantage of capacity and
services through the London market and other
specialist insurers. Our arrangements include
insurers able to write surplus lines in most
of North America.
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Amilcroft
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Arden
Insurance
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Arden
Insurance Services are able to arrange cover
on all craft from the smallest of dinghies to
the largest ocean going vessels. Discounts are
also available for: RYA Qualifications, Policy
excesses up to 1,000GBP, Craft in Marina
Berths, Craft with alarms. Many of our
standard policies include: Third Party
Liability up to 2,000,000GBP, 12 Months in
commission cover, Underwater Machinery Damage,
Protected No Claims Bonus, Road Transit Cover,
Legal Protection Cover.
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Arden
Insurance
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Edwards
& Associates
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We
offer marine insurance to cover pleasure boats
such as yachts and cabin cruisers, as well as
larger private boats. Whether you are looking
for personal or commercial marine insurance,
we have a large base of insurers who we use to
make sure that you get the best possible deal:
Personal and Commercial Marine Insurance.
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Edwards
& Associates
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BC-Marine
Inurance
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Set
the right course to solve your Marine
Insurance Requirements. Marine Craft
Insurance, Legal Protection, Foreign Travel,
Boat SalesAccident & Medical, Loss Of
Earnings, Marine Finance, Marine Tradesmen,
Crew Liability, Instalment Plans, Boat
Builders & Repairers, Public Liability,
Recovery & Assistance, Product Liability.
UK, Ireland, Scotland, Wales & the EU.
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BC-Marine
Inurance
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Bishops
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We
have particular expertise in the following:
International Marine, Cargo, Inland Goods in
Transit, Hauliers Liability, Freight
Forwarders Liability.
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Bishops
plc
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Alfred
Blackmore
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Alfred
Blackmore Group Ltd UK insurance broker
specialising in bloodstock, classic car,
construction, financial services, healthcare,
international motor, marine, professional
indemnity, reinsurance and special accident.
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Alfred
Blackmore
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Blythin
& Brown
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Loughborough
brokers provide online quotes for marine
insurance, and also offer a full range of
financial advice.
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Blythin
& Brown
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Boatinsure
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Marine
insurance underwritten by Lloyd's of London.
Discover what is covered by the policies, read
the FAQs, get an online quote or claim online.
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Boatinsure
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Business.Insurance-Site.co.uk
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Covers
most commercial risks in the following
industries: manufacture, motor trade, haulage
supply, farms, shops, offices, clubs, pubs,
hotels and marine (ONLINE APPLICATION FORM).
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Business.Insurance-Site.co.uk
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Craftinsure
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German
marine insurer provides boat-insurance
services throughout Europe. Select a boat
type, get a quick quote, and track a claim.
20% internet purchase discount.
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Craftinsure
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Newton
Crum
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Dinghy
- Narrowboat - Motorboat - Sailboard- Yacht -
Marine Insurance. FREE INSURANCE QUOTATIONS no
charge or obligation. Dinghy Insurance,
Sailboard Insurance, Inland Waterways
Insurance, Yacht - Motorboat - Speedboat
Insurance, Stolen Boat List.
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Newton
Crum
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Engine
Breakdown Cover Ltd.
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Offers
unique insurance policies for marine in-board
engines.
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Engine
Breakdown Cover
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Fairmont
Insurance Services
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Super
Yacht Insurance for yachts in excess of $1
Million to over $125 Million. Coverage
includes Liability, Loss of Charter, and Crew
Personal Accident and Medical.
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Fairmontinsure
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Lucas
Fettes & Partners
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Marine
Insurance: Hull and accessories of a vessel,
passengers and worldwide cargo movements.
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Lucas
Fettes
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Navigators
and General
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Navigators
and General has been at the forefront of yacht
and motorboat insurance since 1921 and has
been the market leader in this field for over
70 years. Navigators & General is part of
the Zurich Financial Services Group and
Financial Ombudsman Service, providing
policyholders with world-class security.
Today, Navigators provides cover for vessels
with a total value in excess of £750,000,000.
Underwriting insurance for all types of
leisure craft, from dinghies to £5,000,000
vessels, has provided us with the breadth of
experience to understand even the most
individual requirements.
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Navigators
and General
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Giles
Insurance Brokers
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Marine
Insurance. Dinghy, Power Boat, Yacht, Cabin
Cruiser, Jet Ski, Charter Boat, Commercial
Fishing Boat, Yacht Yard
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Giles
Insurance Brokers
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SHW
Group
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Marine
Cargo Insurance. Cover is arranged with
specialist insurers and the individual
policies are written to suit your business
requirements including if required Warehousing
for distribution during export or import.
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SHW
Group
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LONHAM
GROUP LTD
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Freight
legal liability for both UK and international
domiciled companies. Freight legal liability
insurance, Cargo insurance, Charterer's
Liability insurance. Delegated authority to
deal with claims matters relating to marine
insurance.
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Lonham
Group
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Mardon
Marine Insurance Brokers
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boat-insurance.co.uk
and yacht-insurance.co.uk are the websites of
Mardon Marine and maritime Underwriting
Agencies Ltd. (Including Maritime Underwriting
Agencies Ltd)
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Mardon
Marine
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Noble
Marine
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Noble
Marine are specialist insurance brokers
dealing with all classes Yacht insurance,
rowing insurance, laser class, dinghy
insurance, sailboard insurance.
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Noble
Marine
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Rob,
Perry Marine
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Need
Insurance? We are agents for one of the most
competitive insurance brokers in the country
who specialise in marine insurance.
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Rob,
Perry Marine
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Pendleton
May
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We
operate a scheme for the insurance of yachts,
motor boats and small craft. Our expertise,
experience and number of clients insuring
their boats enables us to provide you with
wide cover at competitive cost. Try us by
completing our form.
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Pendleton
May
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Terra
Nova
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Terra
Nova Protection & Indemnity provides fixed
premium P&I cover for the Owner / Manager
/ Charterers of commercial ships operating in
domestic, coastwise or short-sea trades.
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Terra
Nova
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Oban
Insurance Centre
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Read
about the insurance schemes covering marine,
holidays, business, motoring and agriculture.
Offers an online quote system.
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Oban
Insurance
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B
Portwood & Co.Ltd
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Marine
and boat insurance. On-line insurance rates
are provided for dinghies, canoes, sailboards,
small craft, inflatables, speedboats, yachts
and motorboats for use in the uk and in
Western Europe for up to 60 days.
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Portwood
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Alexander
Brooks & Stevens Ltd
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Marine
Insurance providers
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Alexander
Brooks & Stevens
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Graham
Sykes Insurance
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Graham
Sykes Insurance insure a variety of boats. Our
polices cover you for use on inland and costal
waterways between May and September. Smaller
craft usually have to be laid up ashore over
the winter months. For larger vessels we can
provide cover for them all year round. For the
water skiers out there we can usually extend
your policy to include liability for towing
water skiers.
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Graham
Sykes
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Craig
& Suttar
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In
most cases we can provide all risks cover
including third party liability for you and
your craft. Polices cover you for use on
inland and costal waterways between May and
September. For the waterskiers out there we
can usually extend your policy to include
liability for towing waterskiers. In some case
we can add your boat onto your house contents
insurance which is sometimes cheaper.
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Craig
& Suttar
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Tyser
(UK) Ltd
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Marine
and boat Insurance
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Tyser
(UK) Ltd
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Yachtsman
Marine Insurance Ireland
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Yachtsman
Marine Insurance Ireland. Sports boats, Yacht
cruisers, motor cruisers. We offer yachtsmen
an exceptional insurance package at a highly
competitive price. We are constantly reviewing
our policy wording to provide the most up to
date terms and conditions to ensure that our
clients have the most appropriate cover.
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Yachtsman
Insurance
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Meeting
Your Needs
Offering a range of services to most business sectors
the providers above specialize in surveying and related
services,
placing and risk management for UK and international
concerns.
They have considerable experience in the development of
solutions for both Marine and Commercial risks. With
access to Lloyds of London and a range of ABI registered
Insurers they can secure the most competitive premiums
and terms. All of the above is a very good reason
to click through from us to obtain your online
quotation, and it doesn't cost you a penny more to do
so.
LINKS
American
Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)
Yacht
Survey Asia
British
Marine Surveyors Europe
International
Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)
National
Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMSGlobal)
Society
of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS)
Yacht
Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA)
Marine
Administration Blog
International
Association of Marine Surveyors & Auditors (IAMSA)
Survey
& certification (MARSS)
Lloyd's
Agency Network
Fleet
operators might reduce insurance costs if their ships have
autonomous
capability, which system promises safer
seas.
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