MARINE
INSURANCE SERVICES
62 Commonwealth Road, Barrie, Ontario, L4M 0C9, (705) 728-7437, FAX
(705) 730-0518
E-Mail: downer@marineinsureservices.com
MARINE SURVEYS
You've heard the old adage,
"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?" In many cases, the
initial expense of a marine survey could prevent a substantial loss. Marine
insurance is one good form of protection for boat owners against accidental
loss. Unfortunately, statistics show that most yacht losses are due to defects,
and problems which can be discovered and prevented by a quality Marine Survey.
Safe, and sound boats are good insurance risks that help both boat owners and
insurers--ultimately reducing premiums for boat owners, and assuring
profitability for insurers. A renewal of the Marine Survey should be required
periodically; most insurers request surveys every five years. This will help
ensure that the vessel continues to be kept in fair condition. The value will
be re-assessed so that the amounts of coverage and premium can be adjusted.
A Marine Survey is a
general view, inspection or investigation of the condition and value of a
vessel and all of its parts. This should not be confused with a Marine
Appraisal, which is performed after a vessel has sustained some damage. A
Marine Surveyor is a person professionally engaged in performing Marine
Surveys, qualified to give expert opinion, suggestions and recommendations
concerning vessels and all their parts.
Our Surveyors determine an
accurate value of the vessel in its present condition, which allows the owner
to carry a suitable amount of insurance. The survey also provides thorough
identification of the boat, improving the chances of recovery if the vessel is
stolen. Most importantly, the survey ensures that the vessel meets the current
Coast Guard safety equipment standards and reveals mechanical and structural
defects which could pose safety threats. Boat owners may wish to have a survey
conducted as an aid to selling their boat; prospective buyers may request a
survey as proof of value and safety.
The Ontario Marine
Surveyors Association (OMSA) provides standards of professionalism and ethics
in this field. OMSA surveyors have proven experience and expertise; OMSA
accredited marine surveyors are established throughout Ontario.
|
Marine Survey Rates Sheet |
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|
SERVICE |
MARINE SURVEY |
|
Base Survey |
$16.00 Per Foot Overall Length |
|
Mileage per km |
$0.45 |
|
Photographs |
Included |
|
Office Fee/Report |
Included |
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Phone/FAX |
Phone Rates |
Conditions
The marine survey is given
without prejudice and the surveyor, his company or agent cannot be held liable
for any and all actions, causes of actions, claims and demands for damages
howsoever arising in consequence of making his inspection and appraisal. The
survey is given completely without prejudice as a result of a general
examination only and it is understood that no liability is assumed for any
error or omission.
Scope of Survey
The purpose of this survey
inspection is to determine, inasmuch as is possible within limitations of
visual and physical accessibility, through non-evasive/non-destructive means,
the condition of the subject vessel's structure, systems, cosmetics, levels of
compliance with currently applicable mandatory and voluntary standards, and
other industry standards and common practices. The survey of the vessel is
based solely on a careful visual inspection of all accessible portions of its
structure and available equipment. Certain parts of the hull and structure,
equipment and machinery, plumbing and electrical systems and rigging can be
inspected only be removal of flats, sole, decking, bulkheads, headliners,
tanks, and joiner work. This would be destructive in nature, prohibitively time
consuming and expensive to restore, and therefore, has not been done.
Components requiring access with tools or by disassembly will not be inspected.
Complete inspection of machinery, auxiliaries, piping, tanks, and systems can
be made only by disassembly or by continuous operation. This has not been done.
Where dirt, marine growth, coatings buildup, rust, or corrosion obscure ability
to inspect this limitation will be noted in report text. Conditions detected
with the use of electronic meters may be further subject to invasive testing
for confirmation. No destructive or invasive methods are involved in usual
survey practices. Sailboats' rig and rigging are inspected at deck level only.
Unless otherwise known to be fact spars and standing rigging are presumed to be
original equipment. Where open water voyaging or extended cruising is planned
it is advised that a qualified marine rigger be employed to go aloft for
inspection of rigging. Masts and rigging should be struck periodically for
inspection and routine preventive maintenance. No mechanical tests are
performed nor are fluid samples drawn on propulsion or auxiliary generating
machinery. Only the installation and external condition of machinery and
accessories are visually inspected. This should not be considered a complete
mechanical inspection. Qualified marine mechanics experienced with brand
specific engines should be employed to survey engine(s) and generator(s).
Propulsion and rudder shafts are not drawn for inspection although this action
may be recommended. Inspection of flexible piping is limited to condition of
its external casing and only where accessible for visual inspection. Electronic
and electrical equipment is tested by powering up and observing function. No
calibrations or adjustments are made. Load testing is not performed on
batteries but may be recommended. Only the external condition of electrical
wiring, connections, and systems' installments will be visually inspected. No
attempt is made to perform a complete analysis of marine electrical systems as
to do so often requires extensive removals of joinery, disassembly of panels,
etc., to gain access to components. Generally it is the surveyor's experience
that few vessels surveyed today meet all of the applicable standards for marine
electrical system fabrication and installation. This fact is further aggravated
by the wet and corrosive marine environment and owners' tolerances for poor
installations, "do it yourself" add-ons, and a general lack of
preventive maintenance. Therefore, when this surveyor's limited visual
inspection of an electrical system raises standard compliance questions the
recommendation will be made to employ a qualified marine electrician for a
thorough inspection. Attention to compliance with electrical standards is
critical to avoiding conditions which will lead to fires, explosions and
personal injury or death. Sea trials are strongly recommended and conducted at
the request of the client. The vessel must be operated by the owner or his
authorized agent. If no sea trial is requested operation of propulsion
engine(s) and steering system is observed in static mode and only if vessel is
afloat. If vessel is blocked ashore no machinery is operated. Vessels in a
state of winter lay-up preclude operation of winterized systems. Sails, bimini
tops, dodgers, awnings, winter covers, etc., are not laid out for inspection.
Sails will be hoisted on sea trials but are not hoisted or unfurled otherwise.
Used sails are accepted to have conditions of normal wear and tear for age.
Meaningful evaluation of sails is best carried out by a sail-maker laying sails
out in a loft. Other "canvas" is visually inspected when in position
in installations. Ship's systems and vessel component parts have a limited
useful life and must be considered perishable. Conditions affecting
"useful life" include original material specifications, fabrication
and manufacturing techniques, atmospheric exposures, history of use, etc. These
systems and component parts often give no visually detectable indications of
deterioration or impending failure. The federal Rules and Regulations for
Recreational Boats, published by the American Boat and Yacht Council, along
with the voluntary Standards and Practices for Small Craft, also published by
ABYC, and those of the National Fire Protection Association, Section 302
(NFPA), provide some of the reference bases for the surveyor's recommendations
where applicable. Where compliance with a standard cannot be determined this
will be so noted. Insurance underwriting standards vary and may or may not be
known by the surveyor. The foregoing commentary on the scope of the survey
process and its limitations is designed to give the purchaser of the service
some perspective about what can and cannot be expected from the survey
inspection. Since records of history of use of the vessel and its maintenance
schedules may not be available the findings of the surveyor are necessarily
limited to the current condition of the vessel as accessible for visual
inspection. Further qualification remarks may be found in the body of the
survey report as may be required with reference to a specific part of the
vessel or its equipment.
Michael B. Downer, A.A., B.Sc., C.I.P.,
President
Marine Insurance Services E-Mail
downer@marineinsureservices.com
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