We write reports in both English and French. Tous nos rapports peuvent être rediges en Français et Anglais. Please enquire about other languages.
A Pre-purchase or Full Condition
Survey starts with the inspection of the
ship's papers and the general identification
of the vessel against her registration documents.
The Surveyor then starts to inspect the vessel
in the following order.
1.Hull Survey
Hull Numbers (H.I.N. = Hull Identification Number)
Internal Hull Inspection
Bilges. We check for:
- Sawdust, Debris, Water and Oil or Fuel
- Stop Cocks, Sea Strainers and Limber Holes
- Bulkheads
- Stringers and Bottom Strakes
- Hull Bottom and Sides
- Hull to Deck Seam (where visible)
- Termites & other pests
- Decks
- Frames
- Internal Structural Materials
Cored Hulls. We check for:
- Balsa
- Foam Cores
- Bulkhead Installation with Foam Cores
- Water Ingress (Moisture content)
- Other Core Types
Vessel Ashore Inspection
Underwater parts of the Hull:
- Sighting the Hull
- The Keel
- The Running Gear: Shafts, Propellers, P brackets, Cutlass Bearings, Rudders
- Stern Drives
- Cathodic Protection (Anodes) Skin Fittings
- The Hull to Deck Joint
- Condition and attachment of bathing platforms, flaps (trim tabs) , ladders etc.
- Blisters, previous repairs are noted and the moisture content is tested
- Stress cracks and surface irregularities
- Stress cracking on the undersides
- De-lamination
- Weak panel flexing
- Hinge Effect (Hogging)
- Hard spots
- Parallel stress cracks
Topsides of the Hull:
- Star-burst cracks and Wicking
- Gel Coat Break-Outs
- Cracking on Hull Sides
- Cracking on Decks and Superstructures
- Surface Irregularities
2. Decks & 3. Superstructure
- Deck to Superstructure Joints
- Decks
- Non-Slip finishes
- Drying and lifting of caulking (on Teak decks)
- General condition of the planking
- De-lamination of Core materials and check for Clicking on Coach Roofs
- Drainage Scuppers
- Openings and Plastic Hatches
- Doors
- Access Hatches
- Openings
- Sliding Windows and their Seals
- Port-lights
- Water-tightness
- Cockpit
- Lazarette openings
- Engine room access hatches
- Ladders to Flybridge
- Self Draining scuppers
- Tuna Towers
- Tenders
- Pulpits
- Pushpits
- Davits
4. Drive Train /Propulsion
Visual inspection only of:
- Main Engines
- Generators
- Engine Mounts
- Struts
- Strut Bolts
- Shafts
- Stuffing Boxes / Packing Glands
- Rudder Stocks
- Cooling Systems
- Gasket Leaks
- Exhaust Risers
- Carburettors
- Exhaust Emissions (visual check)
- Carbon Monoxide Hazards
- Ventilation systems in the engine room
- Hydraulic Reduction Drives
- V Drive Installations
- Lubricating Oils for cleanliness and levels
- Coolant condition and levels
- V belt condition
Oil Analysis is not systematically included in the report and instructions should be given to the surveyor prior to his visit should you require this test. It should be noted that engines have to have run at least 50 hours on the lubricating oil for the results of the analysis to be indicative of the engine's condition and state of tune. Analysis after recent oil changes, prior to winterizing, for example, will not give a true picture of engine condition.
5. Exhaust Systems
- Fibre-glass Pipe
- Exhaust Hose
- Stainless Steel
- Cast Iron
- Aluminium
- Copper Exhausts / Silencers
- Tubular mufflers
- Water Lift Mufflers
- Bottle Mufflers
- Back Pressure
- Exhaust Risers: Lagged Risers, Water-jacketed Risers and Jacketed Down-sweep Risers
- Petrol Engine Risers and Elbows
- Stainless Steel Risers
- Large System Mounting
- System Installation
- Generator Exhaust Systems
- Carbon Monoxide Hazards
- Back Surge Protection
- Flappers and non return valves
- Underwater Exhausts
- Hull Side Exhausts
- Transom Attachments
- Hose Clamps
6. Fuel Systems
Fuel Tanks:
- Aluminium Tanks
- Foamed Tank Installations
- Deck Mounted Aluminium
- Iron Tanks
- Mild Steel Tanks
- Stainless Steel
- Metallic Tank Mountings
Systems and Materials:
- Fuel Lines
- Copper Tubing
- Fuel Hose
- Fuel Tank Senders
- General Routing
- Valves
- Electric Fuel Pumps
- Fuel Fill Systems
- Tank Vents
- Large Systems with Multiple Bunkers and Day Tanks
- Fuel Transfer Systems
- Filters
- Decanters
- Centrifugal Separators
- MARPOL systems
7.Electrical Installations
- Connections
- Wiring Looms
- condition of Terminals and Clear Labelling
- Trip Switches
- Shore Lines
- Security systems
- Stray Current / Galvanic Corrosion Problems
- Clean & Dry Environment
- Proper Securing
- Wire Splices
- Steel Junction Boxes
- Conduits and Trunking
- Corrosion
- Bilge Water
- Shore Grounding
- Galvanic Isolators
- Line Voltage Drop
- Circuit Breakers
- Main Panel Boxes
- Power Supply Protection
- Sub Circuits
- AC Generators
- Generator Output
- Battery Charger Output
- Service Outlets
DC Systems:
- Batteries
- Battery Location
- Adequate Battery Capacity
- Battery Charging
- Battery Testing
- Terminals
- In-Line Fuses
8. Plumbing Systems
- System Types
- Health Hazards
System Materials:
- PVC Piping
- Copper Pipe
- Brass
- Bronze
- Stainless Steel
- Aluminium
- Iron and Steel
- Marine Hose
- Hose Failures
Marine Sanitation Systems (MSD):
- Macerator Pump Systems
- Reverse Siphoning
- System installation
- Valve Operation
- Black water tanks
9. Sea Water Systems
- Design
- Check Valves
- Strainers
- Valves
- Plastic Valves
- Plastic Through-Hull Skin Fittings
- Air conditioning
- Bait Wells
- Plastic Transducers
- Plastic Pipe Fittings
- Fresh Water Systems
- Aluminium Tanks
- Stainless Steel Tanks
- Mild Steel Tanks
10. Bilge Pumping
- DC Pumping
- AC Pumping
- Engine Driven Pumping
- Number of Pumps
- Primary Service Pump
- Stern Pump
- Forward Pumps
- Backup Pumps
- Float Switches
- Idiot Lights
- High Water Alarms
- Capacity ratings
- Riser Loops (Goose Necks)
- Emergency Pumps
- Fire Pumps
- Clarinettes
11. EQUIPMENT
- Navigation Compass
- Echo Sounder
- Speedo/Log
- GPS
- Radar
- Plotter
- Auto-Pilot
- VHF
- GMDSS
- BLU
- Navtex
- Satellite Telephone and Fax
- Others
12.ON DECK EQUIPMENT
- Anchor Winches
- Anchors
- Chains
- Hawse Pipes
- Cleats
- Aft Deck Winches
- Windshield Wipers
- Windshield Washers
- Horns
- Spotlights
- Deck-lights
- Davits
- Gangplanks
- Ladders
- Swim Ladders
- Deck Wash
- Fire Fighting Equipment
- Sun Covers
- Screen Covers
- Camper Hoods
- Winter Hoods
- Fly Bridge Protection Covers
- Sun Mattresses
- Canvas
13. FIRE FIGHTING
- Fire Extinguishers
- Remote pulls
- Engine Room Ventilation Shut Down Flaps
- Smoke Detectors
- Fire Pumps
- Fire Hoses
- Fire Fighting Equipment
- Suits
- Axes
- Others
14. LIFE SAVING
- Life Rafts
- Hydrostatic Releases
- Life Jackets
- Flares
- Sea Survival Suits
- Floating Lights
- Torches
- Others
15. GAS INSTALLATIONS
- Gas Bottles Installation
- Positioning
- Condition of Visible Flexible Hose and Connections
- Ventilation of Storage Compartment
16. DESCRIPTION OF LAYOUT
A description of the interior layout of the vessel from stem to stern and from top to bottom, reporting on the general condition of Furniture and Soft Furnishings.
17. SEA TRIALS
We pay particular attention to the following:
- Vessel Speed
- Handling Characteristics
- Main Engines
- Engine Performance
- Engine Instruments
- Back Down Test
- Shaft Run-out
- System Vibration
- Helm Response
- Auto-Pilots
We also test:
- Anchor winch operation
- Stabilisers
- VHF Operation
- Trim Tabs
- Bow and Stern Thrusters
Additional tests not included in the standard survey can be made for tenders, jet skis etc.
18 & 19 CONCLUSION and VALUATION
Pen ultimately the survey closes with a conclusion along the following lines: "The Vessel we have visited is Satisfactory, Requires minor Cosmetic Repairs, Requires a Rebuild, Should be put ashore for Safety Reasons … ".
Ultimately the survey states the all important "VALUE" in U.S. Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling. We Consider the Total Loss and Fair Market Value of the Vessel as inspected, bearing in mind:
- Current Market Value
- Oddballs and Custom Yachts
- Comparing the Comparable
- Original Cost and Replacement at New Cost
- Extra Equipment
- Repair Costs
- Geographical Considerations
20. Recommendations and Explanations
Wherever possible throughout the survey the Surveyor will endeavour to propose a recommendation for repair work he feels necessary or points of improvement.
- CD COSMETIC DEFECTS
- DD DETERIORATION DEFECTS (defects that in the long run, if not rectified, could affect the safety of the ship)
- IP IMPROVEMENT POINTS (suggested improvements and/or modifications)
- MD MECHANICAL DEFECTS (Items which require replacement, servicing or attention)
- RI REPLACEMENT ITEMS (Items which have failed or are in such condition for replacement)