Canadian Yachting May 2022 - 44

Inspecting corrosion on aft swim platform mounting fasteners. Competent surveyors not only report such findings but provide insight into why
corrosion is a concern and how urgently it may need to be repaired.
recommendations can negatively impact
an insurance underwriter's willingness to
issue a policy. This conundrum can only
be resolved by the surveyor reporting
findings with integrity (the detail must be
in the report) and perspective (the findings
must be presented in the context of
whether there are safety or regulatory
concerns).
Ultimately, a good marine surveyor will
identify both the obvious and the developing
issues that could have some safety
implications. Such issues may be found
within the boat structure, rigging, electrical
and fuel systems, machinery, and any
other component of a vessel. If a marine
surveyor cannot do this, there is no point
in undertaking the marine survey.
So, how does one identify a good
marine surveyor? Well, ethics and integrity
are critical. Marine surveyors should
be selected based on the following minimum
criteria:
1. The surveyor should be accredited,
or at the very least a member in good
standing, in a recognized association of
surveyors (Society of Accredited Marine
Surveyors, National
Association of
Marine Surveyors, International Institute
of Marine Surveying). These associations
have user-friendly websites that include
membership directories to help you find
an Accredited Marine Surveyor in your
area.
2. The surveyor should have technical
certifications, preferably training offered
through the ABYC (American Boat &
Yacht Council)
3. The surveyor should be fully insured
for the type of work they are doing (many
are not)
In addition to the above minimum criteria,
I recommend that boaters avoid hiring
a marine surveyor that falls into any of the
following categories:
1. A marine surveyor recommended by
your insurer who is not accredited or a
member in good standing of a recognized
marine surveyors association (such as
SAMS, NAMS, or IIMS). Insurance companies
and insurance brokers do not certify
or provide accreditation for surveyors.
2. Any surveyor who cannot provide
proof of insurance
3. A surveyor who cannot provide a
sample survey
4. Any surveyor who appears to have
bargain rates (these surveyors are often
not carrying the costs of association memberships
and are frequently uninsured)
44 CANADIAN YACHTING | MAY 2022
5. The surveyor who advertises that they
also do boat repair or service work, towing,
lawn mower repair, hair styling, tire
repair or liquor delivery service (or any
other service that clearly demonstrates the
surveyor is not fully engaged in the profession).
This is particularly important in
situations where the surveyor is prepared
to charge you for repairs related to their
own survey recommendations, which is
clearly a conflict of interest
6. Surveyors who cannot provide a
timely report (typically within three business
days of inspection), or those who
charge extra for issuing a report in a
timely manner. Reporting is a significant
part of the job, and the job is not complete
until the report is finished.
7. Surveyors who charge a premium for
" emergency surveys "
8. Any surveyor willing to sign off their
report on repairs they have not witnessed
first-hand
9. Any surveyor advertising " virtual
marine surveys " where they issue a report
without inspecting the vessel.
Care should be exercised when selecting
a marine surveyor. Of late, we are
seeing an uptick in the number of unqualified
people fraudulently advertising

Canadian Yachting May 2022

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