The Scope of a Marine Survey

The scope of a survey varies with the type of the survey (pre-purchase, insurance survey, appraisal) and the type of boat (sail boat, power boat) A Client may also have specific requirements.
Below is a typical scope of a pre-purchase survey:

Scope of Inspection of the Vessel
Guidelines used for a survey will be the Rules and Regulations for Recreational Boats, as excerpted from the United States Code (USC) and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) published by the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), as well as the Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft, also published by the ABYC, and NFPA 302: Standard for Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft, published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For sailing vessels the Safety Recommendations for Cruising Sailboats (SRCS), published by US Sailing will be used to the extent they are applicable.

An assessment whether the vessel is in full compliance with all of the rules, regulations and standards will be beyond the scope of the survey.

Analyses of inherent design and stability characteristics as performed by a naval architect are beyond the scope of this survey.

If the vessel will be exported to a country outside the US, the Client/Buyer will be responsible for compliance with the Rules, Regulations and Standards, applicable in their country, which may be different from the Rules, Regulations and Standards used in this survey. Vessels that will be exported to the EU, must be undergo a Post Construction Assessment (PCA) by a “notified body” in order to determine if the vessel meets the Recreational Craft Directive 94/25/EC as amended by Directive 2003/44/EC. This can be done in the US or in the port where the vessel will enter the EU. A PCA is not part of this survey.

PCA inspectors can be reached through the International Maritime Certification Institute (IMCI, www.imci.org).

If the vessel is afloat, it is recommended to have the vessel hauled so that the surveyor can examine all under water parts. Hull and deck moldings will be subjected to close visual inspection, random percussion soundings and moisture meter readings, unless prevented by weather conditions such as rain and freezing temperatures at the time of the survey and provided they are readily accessible. Moisture meter readings may be unreliable if the boat will be hauled shortly before the survey. Core material of deck or hull, if any, will not be sampled. Dirt, marine growth, paint buildup or corrosion may restrict the Surveyor’s ability to examine the hull of the vessel. If the vessel will be inspected afloat only, the topsides may not be readily accessible, which may prevent performing percussion and moisture meter tests of the topsides.

The interior structure of the vessel will be visually inspected. Stringers will be subjected to percussion tests and moisture meter readings to the extent they are readily accessible. The basic functions of systems and equipment will be checked

Certain parts of the vessel’s structure, systems and equipment can only be inspected after removing bulkheads, joinery, liners, cabin soles, tanks, etc. This would be prohibitively time consuming, potentially destructive and costly to restore and therefore components requiring access with tools or by disassembly will not be inspected.

The installation and external condition of machinery, plumbing, electrical systems and equipment will be visually inspected only. Complete inspection can only be made by disassembly or by continuous operation. This will not be done. No mechanical tests will be performed on propulsion or auxiliary equipment. No compression tests will be performed.

Batteries and their installation will be visually inspected, but the batteries will not load tested. The external condition of electrical wiring, connections and system installation will be inspected to the extent that they are readily accessible.

If proper shore power is readily available, the 120VAC wiring system will be tested with an Ideal Circuit Analyzer. Electronic and electrical equipment will be tested by powering up and observing basic functions. No measurements will be taken; no calibrations or adjustments will be made.

A complete analysis of the vessel’s electrical systems is beyond the scope of the survey. No fluid samples will be drawn, but may be recommended.

Machinery and equipment (laundry machinery, heating systems using diesel fuel or gasses, cook tops, ovens, etc) may be inspected while operating only if the Owner or the Owner’s authorized representative (captain, broker, etc.) is present to operate the machinery and equipment.
If the vessel is blocked ashore or on a trailer, no machinery will be operated.

No machinery, electronics, ancillary equipment, tanks or fittings will be opened for internal examination.
The inspection of flexible piping will be limited to the condition of its external casing and only where readily accessible for visual inspection.
No spray testing of deck, hatches and portlights will be conducted.
If the vessel is in a state of winter lay-up, operation of winterized systems is precluded.
A haul out, sea trial and a professional survey of main engine(s) and/or auxiliary engines by a qualified engine surveyor is always recommended when the vessel is surveyed for pre-purchase considerations.
A Corrosion Survey is beyond the scope of this survey.
Propulsion and rudder shafts will not be drawn for inspection, and engine/propeller shaft alignment will not be checked.
Non-essential equipment, such as TVs, VCRs, CDs, stereos, cell phones, washers and dryers, dishwashers, heaters and airconditioning systemss, auto pilot, sat phone, computers, faxes, sonar, etc. will be powered up but will not be fully tested.
Reverse Osmosis watermakers will not be tested.

Anchor rodes will only be fully evaluated if they are pulled up from the locker and laid out for inspection.
Bimini tops, awnings, winter covers, etc, that are not rigged or laid out for inspection, will not be evaluated.

If the mast of a sailing vessel is stepped, spars and rigging will be visually inspected from deck level only. Inspections aloft by a qualified rigger should always be made before sailing offshore.
Sails that are furled or bagged will not be inspected unless other arrangements are made prior to the survey.
If a sea trial is requested, sails will only be set or unfurled if the Owner and/or Client provides sufficient and qualified crew to handle the vessel under sail without involving the Surveyor.

Minor issues, not materially affecting the value of the vessel may not be addressed.
Latent defects may exist that are not discoverable under normal inspection methods.
The survey report is not to be considered a complete inventory of the vessel’s equipment.

Valuation and Scope of Market Analyses
The valuation will be in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and Advisory Opinions (USPAP).

Market values will be analyzed using:

• Comparisons with other similar boats recently sold on “Soldboats.com” and/or listed in current publications and internet brokerage sites.
• Standard industry pricing guides such as ”BUC ValuProfessional” and the “N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guide”.
• Current asking prices on YachtWorld.com and/or listed in current publications and internet brokerage sites.
• Information provided by repossession and whole sale companies if applicable.