Preparing for a Survey

The most important part of preparing for a survey is assuring to the best of your ability that the vessel is in shipshape. This goes for every type of survey that we offer, whether a pre-purchase, insurance, or appraisal survey it is imperative that excess belongings be removed, and the vessel is free of clutter, tools, fishing gear and anything that is not part of the pre-discussed survey.  A clean uncluttered vessel is far easier for us to inspect as we will have uninhibited access to the systems we need to view.  Our inspections are non-destructive and non-invasive- If there are any limited access areas you suspect warrant further investigation please arrange for a qualified technician to provide the necessary access before the survey has begun.  Our goal is to provide you with an accurate and thorough inspection, as well as address and try to answer any questions you may have.  Please take a look at the list below for some quick points that will help with the surveying process.

  • The vessel must be as neat and clean as possible
  • Make sure that everyone is on board with the schedule.
    • Vessel Owner must be aware of the survey date
    • Marina or boatyard must be made aware of the scheduled survey date and that we are performing the survey
    • Both buyer and seller brokers
    • Yard if a haul out for bottom inspection is scheduled
    • If a sea trial is performed you must have the owner or arrange for a Professional Captain to pilot the vessel.
    • Contact numbers for both the buyer and the seller
  • Ignition keys, keys to locked compartments, must be available. Please remove any combination locks before the scheduled survey
  • You must have the ship’s papers on board, a legible copy of the registration and documentation is required.
  • Both AC and DC voltages should be available on the vessel where applicable
Chapman School of Seamanship
American Boat & Yacht Council
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice