The answer to the question of how often do I need a marine survey will mostly depend on the insurance company you are using. Some insurers will demand that you provide a current marine survey if your vessel is 30 years old. Others are okay with a marine survey that is at least 10 years old provided it is in English. There are other insurance companies that will only accept a marine survey report that is no more than 5 years old.
As you can see, insurance companies are the main dictators in regard to how often you need to conduct a marine survey. All in all, for you to get the most comprehensive cover, it is highly recommended to provide a marine survey that is as current as possible. When applying for marine insurance, a Ft Lauderdale marine survey that is 12 to 18 months old will help you get the best coverage. This is because such a cover will guarantee that all the current issues are considered when insuring your boat. This is unlike a 5-year-old survey report that may be missing too many details. A current report will also help you get the current market value of your boat. This information is crucial when getting insurance cover. It will help you avoid being undercovered.
Another factor that will dictate how often you need a marine survey is the type of boat you own. Wooden boats are more prone to damage. As a result, it is highly recommended to get a marine survey done more frequently if you own a wooden vessel.
For other types of boats, you will be fine getting a marine survey updated once every 5 years. However, when it comes to a wooden boat, you need to get a survey done at least once every 2 to 3 years. This is the common requirement for wooden vessels.
How you use your boat will also matter. A boat that is frequently exposed to rough conditions will be at a higher risk of damage. As a result, you will need to get a survey done more frequently.
Other times, if you suspect that your vessel is underperforming or has been damaged in any way, you may need to get a survey done. This means you don’t have to wait until several years are over. You may have to get a fresh survey done as soon as a year.
There are numerous factors that dictate the answer to the question of how often do I need a marine survey. To be on the safe side, get your boat surveyed as frequently as possible. You should also ensure that the survey is done by an experienced surveyor that comes highly recommended in Fort Lauderdale.