Types of Marine Yacht and Boat Survey
Click on one or scroll down to learn more about each type of yacht survey or marine survey:
Pre Purchase Survey
Insurance Condition Survey
Hull and Deck Structure Survey
Osmosis Survey
MCA coding / compliance Survey
Tonnage Measurement or Registration Measurement
Damage Inspection Survey
Valuation
Sea trial
Machinery & oil analysis
Handover / PDI Survey
Work and Build Supervision
Consultancy
When buying a second-hand vessel, it is strongly advised to have the craft inspected by an independent Marine Yacht Surveyor. We meticulously check the machinery, rig, service systems and equipment to determine if there are any defects.
These defects are prioritized to reflect their importance.
The following is the scope of work for a fibreglass (GRP) sailing boat survey. Moisture content is assessed using various meters. For steel and aluminum hulls an assessment of hull thickness is made using an ultrasonic thickness meter. Timber hulls are assessed with traditional methods.
Hull & Deck Structure:
- General Visual Inspection
- Osmosis inspection & moisture meter readings
- Assessment of external & internal structure
- Bulkheads, framing & reinforcement
- Attachments for chain plates, keel, deck hardware etc.
- Openings, ports, windows
- Skin fittings & sea cocks
- Steering gear
- Stern gear
- Stanchions, hand rails, jack stays
- Bilge pumping
Rig
All inspections will be based on an assessment from deck level
- Mast
- Boom
- Standing rigging
- Running rigging (taken as a consumable)
Machinery:
General external inspection of installation including bearers, hoses, fuel system, and stern gear. We will witness operation and advise a sea trial as required.
We can take oil samples for analysis if requested.
Electrical:
General external inspection of the installation including switch boards, batteries & electrical outfit items; they will be operated but not tested. If they are in commission, we will witness and report on the operation of the generator and air conditioning units together with other major installations.
Plus inspection of:
- Ground tackle
- Gas installations
- Fuel installations
- Fire fighting equipment
- Water installations
- Toilet installations
- HVAC
- Generators
- Hydraulics and other installed systems
- Safety Equipment
An insurance company will almost certainly ask for a survey to assess the risk of underwriting. This type of survey covers the structural integrity and general safety of the vessel.
The scope of work is typically the same as for the full pre-purchase yacht survey, though the report may be more brief.
An assessment of value can be included in the report.
You should check with your insurers exactly what scope is required; they may be happy with a reduced scope.
A helpful report for an experienced owner who is content to assess the condition of secondary and outfit items without external expertise, but wants to ensure the integrity of the boat with a yacht survey
The scope is as follows:
- General Visual Inspection
- Osmosis inspection & moisture meter readings
- Assessment of external & internal structure
- Bulkheads, framing & reinforcement
- Attachments of chain plates and keel
External only, this yacht survey includes
- Moisture meter readings
- Sounding of hull
- Visual inspection, removal of sample areas of anti-fouling and assessment of blistering.
Spheredawn is authorized to perform MCA compliance surveys.
We work principally with MECAL, YDSA and IIMS.
The harmonized code came into force in the summer 2004 and we are fully conversant with the changes.
The new code has been developed for vessels of up to 24m load line length engaged in commercial activities at sea carrying cargo and/or not more than 12 passengers, or providing a service in which neither cargo nor passengers are carried.
The code also applies to UK pilot boats of any size. It supersedes the old yellow, blue, brown and red codes.
The code has been developed to improve safety on small commercial vessels and work boats. It covers all aspects of the vessel from the way it was constructed, the equipment it carries, the area of operation and the qualifications of the persons who operate it.If you are unsure of what is involved in coding a vessel we would be happy to discuss this subject with you.
There are various financial incentives regarding tax if you own a coded boat.
You may need to register your vessel with a flag state.
For example, in the United Kingdom a Pleasure Vessel or a Pleasure Vessel in Commercial Use would be registered under British Part I registration.
A wide range of persons and companies are eligible to apply:
- British citizens
- Citizens of an EU member state exercising their rights under articles 48 or 52 of the EU Treaty in the UK
- British Dependant Territories citizens
- British Overseas citizens
- Companies incorporated in one of the EEA countries
- Companies incorporated in any British overseas possession having their principal place of business in the UK or those possessions
- European Economic Interest Groupings
The primary aim of registering under Part I is proof of title. As such, a marine mortgage can be attached to the registration. When purchasing a registered yacht, it is possible to buy a 'Transcript of Registry' for that yacht, designed to show the true owner(s) and whether there is any other registered interest. Tonnage measurement can be performed to put the boat on part 1 of the British Register. This work is done under the auspices of the YDSA, IIMS and MECAL.
We can measure for all Red Ensign States (Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, UK, Anguilla, BVI’s, Falklands, Guernsey, Jersey, Montserrat, St Helena, Turks & Caicos Islands).
This type of survey is usually instructed by an insurance company to assess the extent of any damage resulting from an alleged casualty and any subsequent claim.
We are approved by the leading marine insurance companies.
You may require a valuation for insurance, mortgage, probate or other reasons. Our surveys are acceptable for all such purposes. We are approved by the leading Marine Finance houses, such as Barclays and Lombard.
We feel this is an important part of any survey; when sea trials are attended we often find faults which cannot be found on the dock.
This is the case for both motor and sail. We offer this as part of another survey or as a stand alone service.
Fuel and oil samples can be taken. The fuel analysis can be used to detect faults such as diesel bug. The oil analysis is used to gain a snap shot of the internal condition of the engine or gearbox. This together with a sea trial is what we like to offer.
Few reputable marine engineers undertake compression testing of large engines preferring to rely on endoscopic and oil examinations.
We would urge any client to be very wary of any surveyor offering full engine and hull surveys together.
Full engine surveys should be undertaken by a practicing marine engineer, ideally a specialist in the make and model of engine.
When buying a new vessel, it is strongly advisable to have the craft inspected by an independent Marine Surveyor.
On a recent survey of a yacht at hand over we found in excess of 200 faults.
Problems and oversights can ruin the first days or weeks with a new craft and further difficulties often arise. Of course some things cannot be foreseen but this survey will help increase the enjoyment of the new boat.
When a vessel is being built or repaired we can supervise and report upon the project using our expert knowledge to ensure standards are met.
We have undertaken many supervisions from osmosis treatment, to massive structural damage, to refits, to full builds.
With our experience in the marine industry we are well placed to help you with problems ranging from liaising with the local yard to maintenance advice. Contact us for further information.