Marine Survey Process Guide

Any marine growth on the hull must be pressure washed off prior to the start of the survey, preferably at least 24 hours (at least 48 hours for a wooden boat) before the survey is carried out, in order that the water doesn’t affect any moisture meter readings taken on the hull.

This includes a swing / retractable keel (if fitted) and it’s operating mechanism.

Where appropriate, watertight door seals are tested with chalk for consistent contact.

Portholes, hatches and windows are normally only visually inspected.

Keel bolts can be drawn for inspection should it be required for insurance purposes. This will need to be arranged with the marina office as it will involve the marina staff (or qualified and insured staff / contractors) to carry out this procedure while the vessel is suspended in the marina’s lifting facility and be ready to refit them or replace them if required.

Caution: Being prepared to replace the keel bolts is key as the procedure will hold the vessel in the marina’s lifting mechanism / strops until the keel is reinstated.

Access is limited to inspection hatches and panels that were designed to be removed without having to withdraw any fastenings. No structural dismantling or fastener extraction would be undertaken, unless with prior written agreement.

Permanent items such as water or fuel tanks or shower tray / wet locker moulded base or other parts of the vessel which are covered, inaccessible and unable to be inspected are reported as such – we cannot report these areas are free from defect.

Mast and rigging is normally visually inspected from the deck when the mast is stepped. It is not possible to comment on the mast and rigging above the height of 2 metres. If requested, the mast can be unstepped by the marina staff or an authorised rigging specialist to enable inspection at ground level. The general guide for standing rigging replacement is every 10 years and for running rigging is 3 to 5 years (depending of exposure to the elements and use etc). For larger vessels utilising solid rod rigging, the rod’s mushroom shaped ends are joined with terminals or rod sockets.

It’s recommended that every 5 to 6 years the mast is unstepped the rod ends and sockets are checked for fatigue stress cracking by dye penetrant or x-ray. This may seem extreme but gives the client and their vessel insurer peace of mind that the system is fault free and a cost effective way of maintaining the vessel’s rig system

If the location and weather conditions are favourable, the sails can be hoisted / unfurled and visually inspected.

If deeper analysis is required, the sails can be removed and sent for further assessment to a specialist sailmaker.

Since stability, design and performance are already certified by separate regulations, they are outside the scope of our inspection.

A visual external inspection is performed to check the gas system and will test-light appliances where possible, just to prove the systems function. Note: No “work” is carried out on the gas system by ourselves in compliance with the 1994 Gas Safe Regulations.

Our standard survey includes visual, external inspection of the engine and cooling system (generator and water maker too, if fitted) to assess general condition. If a more in-depth internal health check is required, we can facilitate independent laboratory fluid analysis.