Which Small Craft Survey Do you require? A guide to Survey types is below.

Small Craft &Yacht Surveys

Yacht Survey Options:

Pre-purchase Survey

This is a comprehensive survey commissioned by a potential buyer prior to the purchase of a vessel. The report will also be used by any finance house involved and the client’s insurance company when they come to insure the vessel after purchase.

Coding Surveys & Codes Of Practice

This is an inspection to determine whether a vessel complies with various mandatory MCA Codes of Practice. This will typically be commissioned by the vessel’s Owner or Agent where the vessel is being used commercially. Most of the surveying organisations such as the YDSA, IIMS, RYA etc. are approved by the MCA to carry out these inspections. These organisations in turn nominate surveyors with suitable experience to carry out the inspections.

Tonnage Survey

This is not a survey as such but a simple calculation based on a few measurements. Tonnage is a measure of volume. These surveys are a requirement for British Part 1 Registration. Only MCA approved organisations can carry them out.

Insurance Survey

This is a survey commissioned by the owner of the vessel when his/ her insurer has requested a survey prior to renewing an existing policy. Typically, these a required for vessels over 20 years old and every 5 years thereafter.

Boat Safety Scheme Inspection

The Boat Safety Scheme, or BSS, is a public safety initiative owned by the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency. Its purpose is to help minimise the risk of boat fires, explosions, or pollution harming visitors to the inland waterways, the waterways' workforce and any other users. BSS examiners assess vessels but it must be noted that many BSS examiners are NOT also marine surveyors.

Market Valuation

This is NOT a survey but has been put in this section because it is often requested as one! A valuation is a brief and limited inspection based on strictly defined assumptions to provide a value. This is usually Market Value, but other valuations are sometimes specified for example “Distressed Sale” where an immediate sale is required

Damage Survey

This is a survey commissioned by an insurance company when a vessel they insure has suffered loss or damage. Criteria required by the insurers will vary case to case but there will usually be an investigation element to the process.

Acceptance
survey

This is a comprehensive inspection of a new or refitted vessel carried out on behalf of her eventual owner and usually including a sea trial. It aims to confirm the condition of the vessel and make sure that various contractual obligations have been met.

What’s included in a PRE-PURCHASE Survey?

In no particular order the following are normally looked at in the course of a Pre-Purchase Survey.

Hull & Structure

Details of subject vessel (General Description, Dimensions, Registration etc.)
Keel
Hull below waterline
Topsides above waterline including rubbing strake etc.
Deck Moulding
Coach roof
Cockpit
Hull Deck / Join
Bulkheads and structural stiffness including internal mouldings

Steering, stern gear and skin fittings

Rudder (s) and Steering
Stern gear
Cathodic Protection
Skin Fittings and through hull apertures

On Deck

Main companionway and other accesses to accommodation
Port Windows etc
Pulpit, stanchions, pushpit, lifelines, jackstays
Rigging attachment points
Ground tackle and mooring arrangements
Other deck gear and fittings
Davits and boarding ladders

Rig

Spars
Standing Rigging
Running Rigging
Sail Covers etc.

Safety

Navigation Lights
Bilge Pumps
Firefighting equipment
Lifesaving and emergency equipment

Engine

Engine and instillation
Fuel System

Accommodation and onboard systems

Accommodation in general
Gas instillation (NOT a gas safety test)
Fresh water tank delivery
Heads
Electrical instillation
Electronic and Navigation Equipment
Heating/ Air conditioning and Refrigeration system
Fresh water systems
Tender

What is not regularly included in a Pre-Purchase Survey

Mast climbing
Running up machinery that can’t be operated safely / out of the water.

It is important to understand what a surveyor can and can't do before you commission a survey. Surveyors can only report on what they can physically access and see. If there is no access, there is no inspection or observation.

Surveyors can use a number of NDT (Non Destructive Testing) methods to report on the condition of a vessel. They will not normally carry out destructive testing unless it is deemed necessary and the appropriate prior permissions are sought.

Access is often a big problem. Surveyors don’t normally dismantle the vessel or items to gain access. No access means no inspection or observations. This means surveyors will not remove fixed linings or similar. Lockers will be opened however lockers stuffed with equipment pose a problem and many surveyors refuse to unpack lockers. Please make sure, prior to a survey, the access is as good as possible.

Accessing a rig needs to be done safely. No-one should climb a mast on a vessel ashore. Most surveyors will not climb a mast afloat and even if they would there are manpower and risk assessment implications. If a full mast and rig inspection is required, you must ask in advance and be willing to pay for the mast to be unstepped or for the extra personnel/ equipment required to get the surveyor up the mast safely.

You can expect your surveyor to use his skill, judgement and experience to give an accurate description of the condition of the vessel. The list above covers a standard pre purchase survey. You, as the client, can ask for as much detail as you wish. Please however ask in advance, and understand that there may be cost implications to said requests. Please feel free to get in touch and we can speak about your specific needs and a quote can be produced.