PRE-PURCHASE SURVEY
A Pre-Purchase Survey is ordered by a prospective buyer and used as a condition of purchase, before the sale of a vessel is completed. Our Pre-Purchase surveys are extremely detailed, including but not limited to: Inspection of the vessel in-the-water, out-of the water, and during a limited water (sea) trial, in order to determine serviceability and condition of the vessel and all systems. The survey report will include the current Fair Market Value of the vessel at time of survey, based on comparative market research and depreciation considerations. Report will also include the replacement value for a new comparative vessel.
The written report includes a "Findings and Recommendation" section backed with photographic evidence regarding vessel deficiencies, flaws, defects, and any non compliance to current ABYC Standards or USCG regulations noted during survey.
A Pre-Purchase Survey report gives a prospective buyer as much information as possible, to help in determining whether to proceed or not with a purchase of the vessel. The report is also a powerful negotiating tool. It is critical that a buyer knows the condition and serviceability of the vessel and all systems before purchasing. The report is for the client's eyes only and will only be shared to interested parties upon client's request.
The Pre-Purchase Condition and Value Report is also required to send to your insurance company for proof of the vessel's value & condition. SAMS® Accredited Marine Surveyors have strict guide lines for report content which assures a SAMS Accredited Surveyor's report will be accepted by all major insurance companies and financial institutions worldwide.
The written report includes a "Findings and Recommendation" section backed with photographic evidence regarding vessel deficiencies, flaws, defects, and any non compliance to current ABYC Standards or USCG regulations noted during survey.
A Pre-Purchase Survey report gives a prospective buyer as much information as possible, to help in determining whether to proceed or not with a purchase of the vessel. The report is also a powerful negotiating tool. It is critical that a buyer knows the condition and serviceability of the vessel and all systems before purchasing. The report is for the client's eyes only and will only be shared to interested parties upon client's request.
The Pre-Purchase Condition and Value Report is also required to send to your insurance company for proof of the vessel's value & condition. SAMS® Accredited Marine Surveyors have strict guide lines for report content which assures a SAMS Accredited Surveyor's report will be accepted by all major insurance companies and financial institutions worldwide.
PRE-PURCHASE SURVEYS INCLUDE IN-WATER & HAUL OUT INSPECTIONS WITH WATER TRIALS!
Moisture Readings of Topsides
Prepurchase * Condition and Value Survey: involves a through inspection of the vessel's integrity and all systems on the vessel. Our survey will alert the prospective buyer or owner of deficiencies that could adversely affect the safety or value of the vessel. Many vessel casualties are due to improper system installations or insufficient maintenance. Our survey will identify existing deficiencies and potential problems that can be avoided by taking preventative measures.
In-Water inspection will cover both the exterior and interior of the vessel, including the vessel's Hull, Superstructure, Decks, Hull to Deck Joint, Deck Hardware and all marine systems and equipment. Moisture levels tested to random areas of decks, superstructure, stringers, bulkheads, hull topsides and vessel's superstructure, paying particular attention around bedded hardware. This part of the survey will also include non-destructive testing and inspection of both the AC and DC electrical systems, including shore power hook ups, inverters, batteries and generators. Electronic equipment function will be tested. All on-board systems will be inspected (limited by access and time restrictions), including but not limited to: Potable and non potable water systems and tankage, fuel systems, bonding, grounding and cathodic protection systems, air conditioning, bilge pumps, high water alarms, and U.S.C.G. required safety equipment. The interior of the vessel will also be tested for evidence of water intrusion, paying close attention around deck hardware, windows, port lights and hatches for any evidence of leakage. Accessible bulkheads and stringers will be inspected for structural integrity. Propulsion machinery and machinery spaces are visually inspected before, during and after sea trial. Operational testing of generator(s) performed to determine proper voltage & frequency output at heavy loads along with testing for correct polarity at AC electrical outlets. All accessible areas and systems of the vessel will be inspected as to condition and function.
The Out-of-Water "haul out" inspection will include the inspection of the vessel's wetted surfaces, topsides, railings and underwater appendages. Non destructive testing will be undertaken to determine if abnormal moisture content is present within the hull topsides. Particular attention will be paid to hardware bedding areas and other areas of stress. Phenolic sounding of the hull's wetted surfaces will be carried out to seek out possible FRP structural damage, including but not limited to, de-lamination, high moisture content or voids in the vessel's hull and topsides. Underwater machinery will be carefully vetted for trueness and serviceability.
The Water (Sea) Trial will be conducted to evaluate the ship's running systems including, but not limited to, steering, propulsion, rudders, control systems, navigational equipment and general performance of the engines and gears. Infrared temperature readings will be taken of exhausts, engine parts, shafts, stuffing boxes and generators. All electronic systems such as, VHS, auto pilots, depth recorders and GPS will be proved. Visual inspection and readings from vessel's engine and transmission gauges will be observed and recorded throughout the vessels full range of RPM's. Oil samples can be taken, upon request, and tested for abnormal wear, for all propulsion machinery and generators. Marine Surveyors Bureau surveyors are General Hull surveyrors. An inspection of the engine room, engines and performance is always done before, during and after water trials by our surveyors. However, it is always recommended for a client to hire an independent engine surveyor in order to get a detailed engine and propulsion performance report.
Note: It is normally the Buyer's responsibility to arrange for Haul Out and Sea Trial, with the vessel's representative, and pay related expenses.
INSURANCE EVALUATION SURVEYS
Most insurance companies require a "Condition & Value" marine survey report on older vessels in order to issue a new policy or renew an existing one. Insurance companies need to know whether a vessel is safe for conditions for which it was designed. In other words, Fit for it's intended use!
The Insurance survey is a slightly less intense version of the pre-purchase "Condition & Value" survey, typically conducted for current vessel owners at the behest of their insurance companies or for vessel owners seeking to change insurance carriers and need an updated survey to accomplish the application.
The reinsurance survey will cover all aspects of the vessel important to the insurer including structure, safety related systems and gear, electrical and raw water systems and anything related to the safe operation of the vessel. The survey is basically an assessment report and although detailed, do not include testing of on safety related systems.
Please note that an Insurance Survey is not to be considered a Pre-purchase inspection. This "Condition & Value" survey is not as detailed as a Pre-purchase Survey. It does not include all system operational tests, inventory of equipment or sea trial. It will include inspection of the documentation of the vessel, compliance with applicable standards, condition and fair market value. If an inspection of the underwater areas of the hull and running gear is requested by the insurance company, a haul out inspection of the wetted areas and underwater machinery of the vessel will be done with the additional expense for the haul out being the owner's responsibility.
Due to being a SAMS® AMS, Accredited Marine Surveyor, Captain Sadu Frehm's Insurance Condition & Value Surveys will satisfy the evaluation requirements of all insurance companies worldwide.
The Insurance survey is a slightly less intense version of the pre-purchase "Condition & Value" survey, typically conducted for current vessel owners at the behest of their insurance companies or for vessel owners seeking to change insurance carriers and need an updated survey to accomplish the application.
The reinsurance survey will cover all aspects of the vessel important to the insurer including structure, safety related systems and gear, electrical and raw water systems and anything related to the safe operation of the vessel. The survey is basically an assessment report and although detailed, do not include testing of on safety related systems.
Please note that an Insurance Survey is not to be considered a Pre-purchase inspection. This "Condition & Value" survey is not as detailed as a Pre-purchase Survey. It does not include all system operational tests, inventory of equipment or sea trial. It will include inspection of the documentation of the vessel, compliance with applicable standards, condition and fair market value. If an inspection of the underwater areas of the hull and running gear is requested by the insurance company, a haul out inspection of the wetted areas and underwater machinery of the vessel will be done with the additional expense for the haul out being the owner's responsibility.
Due to being a SAMS® AMS, Accredited Marine Surveyor, Captain Sadu Frehm's Insurance Condition & Value Surveys will satisfy the evaluation requirements of all insurance companies worldwide.
DAMAGE/CLAIMS
Damage/Claims inspections and investigations are typically conducted for the underwriter or owner of the vessel and are not biased to one or the other. Damage/Claims Surveys are performed to identify the extent and nature of a loss including the cause of loss. Damage Reports will include recommendations for repairs or replacements, review of repair estimates and often upon request, monitor and evaluate repair work carried out. The written report will include a complete description including the area damaged in relation to the hull or compartment, the equipment, fittings or other found damaged and include photographic evidence of all damage found.
VESSEL APPRAISAL
An Appraisal Survey is often required for income tax purposes and for lending institutions.
The Appraisal Survey is a Condition & Value report, but less detailed. The report will state the general condition of the vessel, it's current market value and will be acceptable to all lenders for purposes of securing a loan, settling an estate, exporting a vessel, or reporting donations to the I.R.S. for tax purposes.
CORROSION AND BONDING
A Corrosion and Bonding Survey will report the electronically measured hull potential using a Silver Chloride Half Cell as a standard. This will determine the efficiency of the vessel's grounding and bonding system to protect against possible fatal electrical shocks, damage from galvanic corrosion, stray current corrosion or other. The corrosion inspection will evaluate the cathodic protection on your boat, check the AC and DC grounding systems and tell you the electrical potential of your vessel in relation to your marina. This information and any recommendations to improve your protection will be provided in a detailed report.