Pre-purchase/Condition Reports For Commercial and Recreational Vessels

• Pre-purchase Reports
• Condition Reports for Insurance
• Condition Reports for Commercially Registered Vessels
• Maintenance and Safety ‘To Do’ Lists

Pre-purchase Reports

Marine surveyors are only able to visually inspect the accessible areas of the vessel but most surveyors also use a small hammer to sound the structure, and moisture meters to check for relative moisture levels in FRP composite and timber structures, weather permitting.  Infra-red thermal imaging cameras can also be used to detect moisture in these materials.  Specialists can non-destructively test (NDT) metal materials for thickness, and welds can be x-rayed, or tested for cracks and porosity with liquid dye penetrene. Engines can be checked using oil analysis kits.  Some purchasers also obtain separate reports from other specialists such as engine technicians, marine accredited electricians, and mast, spars, and rigging manufacturers.

Marine Matters’ surveyors discuss the purchaser’s requirements and expectations of the vessel before the inspection.  The broker or seller is asked to provide details of the vessel, and, if possible, prepare the vessel for the inspection using the Marine Matters pre-inspection wish list.  They also arrange for the vessel to be lifted from the water for a minimum time depending on the size, age and construction of the vessel, and supported on the hard stand high enough for the surveyor to inspect the bottom of the hull and the keel.  The hull is cleaned off using high pressure water.  The broker or seller also returns the vessel to the mooring or berth after the inspection.  The surveyors will not operate any equipment on the vessel but will need to witness the operation if required.

The marine surveyor will look for structural defects, any defects that may represent an added cost to the purchaser, and any safety risks.  Generally on the day of the inspection, an in-water inspection is conducted first, followed by an out-of-water inspection, and sometimes a short sea trial, depending on the findings at each stage, and the purchaser’s decisions.  Photographs and notes are taken and a written report provided if required.

The written report will list any defects or safety concerns that were noted and a copy of all the photographs will be saved to USB Flash Drives and provided to the purchaser.  Vessels built for recreational use currently only have minimum safety requirements so the surveyor will use his own standards for the inspection.   ‘

Vessels built for commercial use within Australia have to be built and maintained to a recognised standard (usually the National DCV Law) so these vessels need to be inspected by an AMSA accredited marine surveyor.  A pre-purchase report on a commercial vessel will include an assessment of the vessel’s compliance with the AMSA Certificate of Survey standard, or the AMSA Certificate of Operation standard.

Condition Reports for Insurance

Most marinas now insist that vessels carry insurance and most insurance companies have a list of preferred marine surveyors who are able to do these reports. Most Insurance companies also provide a template for the inspection report.  Marine Matters’ reports are accepted by all the current marine insurers operating in Australia and although we use their templates for our Insurance reports, the procedure we use is similar to a pre-purchase inspection but the emphasis is more on safety.  Pre-purchase reports are generally not used for Insurance purposes unless the vessel is in very good condition and has no safety issues.

Condition Reports for Commercially Registered Vessels

Refer to DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL VESSELS.

Maintenance and Safety ‘To Do’ Lists

Marine Matters’ surveyors are able to provide a list for maintenance jobs, and a list for safety equipment, for owners and operators of vessels.