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Call Daniel Briggs
to discuss your survey needs
508.758.9300 or toll free 800.322.9303
FEES
Fees are based on a per foot rate, a per diem or hourly rate, as agreed to with the client, before the survey.
MARINE SURVEY
A marine survey is an examination of a vessel's structure, systems and equipment -
utilizing visual inspection, hammer sounding, moisture testing,
ultrasonic testing and operating the vessel's equipment and systems to form
an opinion as to the condition of the vessel.
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Prepurchase Condition & Valuation Survey (CVS)
Determines the condition and current market value of the vessel.
Out of the Water - Inspect bottom for blisters,
delaminations, voids or any other signs of damage
or deterioration. Utilize moisture meter or ultrasonic
thickness guage as indicated. Inspect keel, rudder,
skeg, strut, shaft, propellers, thruhulls, etc.
In the Water - Sound and inspect deck and house
laminate. Moisture meter as necessary. Inspect and
sound teak overlay if present. Inspect bulkheads and
bulkhead tabbing. Bilges, joinerwork, soles,
chainplates, stantions and pulpits, etc. Inspect
and operate all systems, water, electrical, bilge
pumping, heads, electronics, etc.
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Insurance and Financial Survey
Survey required by insurance companies or financial institutions in order to insure or underwrite the vessel.
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Damage Survey
Assesses extent of damage and recommended repairs
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Appraisal Survey
Determines fair market value of the vessel for settlements or donation.
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Sea Trial
Operational testing and inspection of the engine, generator and their components, steering, controls, shafts, stuffing boxes, electronics,etc.
On sailing vessels, sail handling systems are operated and inspected along with sails set. Sail inventory can be examined at sail loft or lawn.
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Destructive Testing
The normal survey procedure is nondestructive. We use hammer sounding, moisture metering, and ultrasonic thickness guaging, as well as visual inspection.
When these procedures indicate further inspection, what is referred to as, destructive testing, is undertaken. This involves such steps as taking samples of laminate or dismantling the transmission.
This is a separate and additional service to the original marine survey. We have many sources available to us to help find answers to problems that may turn up in the course of a survey.
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Engines
When we sea trial the vessel we will observe the engine operating under load and conduct a number of visual tests such as ease of starting, smoke under load, positive neutral on transmission and more.
If these tests indicate any possible problem, further investigation should be undertaken
by a marine mechanic or engine surveyor agreed to by both the buyer and seller.
It is strongly suggested that in the larger vessels, with larger high performance diesels, that a separate engine surveyor or mechanic that specializes in the specific make of the engine be retained.
This engine survey can and usually is coincident with the vessel survey.
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Engine Oil Analysis
There are many misconceptions about oil analysis. One sample of oil, with unknown hours on the oil, is like a single frame in a movie. We can see the picture but we don't know the story. Complicating this further is that unless we know exactly what oil is used in the engine, we don't know what additives are in the oil that could skew our findings.
If possible, we like to use oil filter analysis where the stratification of the compound in the filter paper allows a time line to be seen over the life of the filter. This will show us trends, like increasing iron build up that might indicate ring wear. There must be at least 20 hours on the engine in order to conduct this test.
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Compression Testing
If the sea trial indicates the need to further investigate with a compression test, a mutually agreed upon mechanic can perform this test under the observation of the surveyor. The engine must have been run and allowed to warm up so the rings and valves are seated before the test. Otherwise, tests can erroneaously show uneven or low compression. The surveyor does not put his tools on the engine.
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Out of the Water Engine Starts
Out of the water engine starts are just that, we can tell if the engine starts, but that is all. We cannot tell if the transmission works, if it reaches optimum temperature under load or many of the other things we may want to know.
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Machinery Escrows
In areas where vessels are stored out of the water, for the winter months, it is not possible to perform a sea trial until the vessel is commissioned in the spring.
Often times, it is customary to put a sum of money into escrow until the machinery can be tested satisfactorly in the water. This is a very common practice in these locations, so if the broker or seller balk at this, a red flag should go up.
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Rig Inspection
Inspection of spars, mast butts for corrosion, condition of hardware, standing rigging, swage and other fittings. If questions arise out of this inspection it is often recommended that the rig be inspected by a professional rigging shop.
If the mast is stepped, only the lower end is inspected. The surveyor does not climb the mast. If concern exists about the upper end of the mast it can be unstepped or a rigger employed.
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