Buying a used boat is one of the best ways to avoid the high cost of owning a boat. With a used boat, you will find a vessel in mint condition and get it for a fraction of the cost. However, this does not mean all used boats that are on sale are in good condition. In the same way, you wouldn’t buy a used car without having your mechanic look at it, you should never buy a used boat without involving a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale. The role of the surveyor is to perform a thorough inspection of the vessel and provide you with a comprehensive report that tells you more about the vessel.
The main duty of a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale is to provide an independent survey and report of the current condition of the vessel you plan on buying. The surveyor will report on the physical condition, class status as well as life history of the vessel. This report will offer crucial information that helps evaluate your proposed investment by identifying potential problems. By being able to identify potential issues with a boat, you will be able to reduce the technical and business risks you face when buying a used vessel.
To give you a good understanding of the condition of the vessel, the boat surveyor looks at various aspects of the vessel. While there are many survey methodologies used, the visual inspection covers the following on the boat:
- Structural integrity
- Firefighting equipment
- Main propulsion machinery
- Auxiliary machinery
- Documentation which includes statutory records, ISM and PSC records
- Electronic equipment
- Cargo gears
- Mooring equipment
- Accommodation and sanitary
- Main onboard spare parts
At times, everything is not don’t visually. A surveyor may use specialized equipment to review the condition of the vessel. For example, infrared equipment can be used to look inside equipment without dismantling them. If specialized equipment is unavailable or cannot accurately assess the condition of a component, the surveyor will request that you involve a specialist such as an electrician or a mechanic. The surveyor will not compile the final survey report until they get a report from these specialists.
Once the inspection is done, the surveyor will provide you with a survey report. This will include the following:
- Summary of the survey and condition of the boat
- Publications and statutory certificates
- Manning, management and records
- List of defects and condition statement
- Pictures
The only way to determine if the surveyor will offer the services you need is to ask for a sample survey report. You also have to make sure that they have worked on vessels that are similar to the ones you are interested in.
Marine Surveyor Fort Lauderdale