MOST BOAT OWNERS OR PURCHASERS HAVE, AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, EITHER REQUIRED OR SEEN A MARINE SURVEY FOR INSURANCE OR PRE-PURCHASE REQUIREMENTS, HOWEVER, THERE SEEM TO BE MANY MISCONCEPTIONS OR MISINTERPRETATIONS OF WHAT THE SURVEY PROCESS ENTAILS AND THE VALUE IT HOLDS.  THE FOLLOWING IS A BREIF EXPLANATION OF THE SURVEY PROCESS, ITS USE AND VALUE.

THERE ARE SERVERAL PURPOSES FOR OBTAINING A MARINE SURVEY, SOME OF WHICH ARE:
-REQUIRED TO OBTAIN INSURANCE
-REQUIRED TO OBTAIN FINANCING
-PRE-PURCHASE ASSESSMENT OF VESSEL CONDITION AND VALUE
-DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
-PEACE OF MIND

     A TYPICAL MARINE SURVEY CONSISTS OF 2 STAGES- THE PHISICAL INSPECTION PROCESS, AND THEN THE WRITTEN REPORT.

     THE INSPECTION PROCESS INVOLVES A VERY DETAILED AND THOROUGH INSPECTION OF BOTH THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE VESSEL.  ALL COMPONENTS OF THE BOAT ARE LOOKED AT FOR CONDITION AND COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS.  COSMETIC CONDITIONS ARE NOTED AND ASSESSED, AS WELL AS STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS.  MOISTURE READINGS ARE TAKEN, ACCOUSTICAL SOUNDINGS ARE NOTED AND VISUAL INSPECTIONS ARE COMPLETED.  THERE IS A DETAILED LIST TAKEN OF EQUIPMENT ON BOARD, INCLUDING ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, SHAFTS, DRIVES, TANKS, PUMPS, SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND APPARRATIS, ELECTRONICS, APPLIANCES, CANVASS, ACCESSORIES, ETC.
     THE INSPECTION OF A TYPICAL 30' POWERED VESSEL TAKES FROM 2 1/2 TO 4 HOURS!

     THE SECOND PORTION OF THE PROCESS IS THE WRITTEN REPORT.  THIS REPORT IS WRITTEN IN SURVEY FORM AND GIVES AND DETAILED SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS DISCOVERED DURING THE INSPECTION.  VESSEL MEASUREMENTS, SERIAL NUMBERS, EQUIPMENT, LAYOUT, AND BUILD DESIGN ARE LISTED AND DESCRIBED.   COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE PERTAINING TO ALL LISTED ITEMS.  DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF STRUCTURAL FINDINGS ARE MADE AND RECOMMENDATIONS GIVEN.  FINALLY, AN ASSESSMENT OF MARKET VALUE, OVERAL CONDITION, INSURABILITY STATUS AND SEAWORTHINESS IS MADE.

WHY IS ANY OF THIS IMPORTANT?

     THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT REASON IF FOR YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS' SAFETY AND PEACE OF MIND.  AN UNSAFE VESSEL PUTS YOU AND OTHERS ON THE WATER AT RISK.  SECONDLY, BUT ALSO IMPORTANT, TO KNOW THE CONDITON AND VALUE OF YOUR VESSEL, OR TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE PURCHASE OF A VESSEL THAT IS NOT SOUND OR OF APPROPRIATE VALUE. FOLLOWING, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO OBTAIN MARINE INSURANCE COVERAGE WITHOUT A VALID AND UP TO DATE SURVEY REPORT.
     DO TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DETAIL OF BOAT CONSTRUCTION, AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY ARE USED, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO SELECT AN EXPERIENCED AND QUALIFIED SURVEYOR TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS.