Boat Safety & Surveys

Boat Safety Certificates

Our Marine Surveyor is a qualified Engineer, Boat Builder and is certified by the International Institute of Marine Surveyors to survey steel and timber yacht and small craft He is also a Boat Safety Scheme Examiner for boats on the inland waterways.

Please contact our Boat Safety Examiner on 01789 267 073 to book your safety certification or survey.

Boat Safety Scheme

The Boat Safety Scheme is designed to ensure that a vessels systems and appliances meet designated safety requirements for use on inland waterways. An examination is required every four years, as a certificate must be produced to obtain a navigation license. The Scheme applies to all vessels carrying fuel or fitted with domestic cooking, heating, refrigerating, or lighting appliances. A Certificate is not required for a privately owned boat, powered solely by an outboard motor.

Systems Examined:

Permanently installed fuel systems & fixed engines
Outboard Engines and Portable Fuel Systems
Electrical Systems
LPG Systems
Appliances and Flues
Fire Extinguishing and Escape
Pollution Prevention

Certificate

Following the examination, the examiner issues a BSS examination report form, detailing any compliance checks that were not met, or not verified. A BSS certificate will be issued if the vessel conforms to all the general requirements of the BSS. Non-compliance with advice checks is not a failure, but advice checks represent best-practice, and it is strongly recommended that owners achieve these standards.

Scope

There are important safety aspects which are not addressed by a BSS examination. The BSS examination is not a full survey and does not cover the condition of the hull or deck, the integrity of through hull fittings, or comment upon the stability of the vessel.

Fees and Payment

Please contact our office for a scale of fees and a quotation for your vessel. We ask for a deposit with contract, the balance will be invoiced following the survey, before delivery of the report.
that if you are not the owner of the vessel, permission must be obtained from the owner before a survey. We advise that expenses relating to preparing the vessel for survey, and any restitution works following are to be paid by the client. In the event of cancellation of a survey, due to circumstances beyond the control of the surveyor, the surveyor is entitled to make a reasonable charge.

Codes of Practice

We adhere to the codes of practice of the Institute of International Marine Surveyors regarding the professional conduct of our surveyor, the practice of our surveys, and the production of our survey reports. We also carry full professional indemnity insurance.

Boat Surveys

Small Craft Surveys

Whatever survey you need, the surveyor uses his knowledge and professional expertise to inspect and report any aspect of a vessel, as instructed by the client. This information is intended to acquaint the client with the factual condition of the vessel, its structure, and systems (within stated limitations) and may include an estimate of value. The written report submitted by the surveyor is designed to impart this information in a useful and concise form and help the client understand the condition of the vessel.

Preparation of Vessel for Survey

If a vessel is not adequately prepared for an examination, our survey may be subject to limitations. Our surveyor requires:

The vessel to be out of the water (GRP vessels should be out of water for at least 48hrs prior to an examination)
The hull to be pressure washed, clean and free from fouling
The boat to be securely supported on an area of hard standing
Bilges to be pumped dry
Interior of the vessel to be opened up
All loose gear to be removed from lockers

All items that require checking must be capable of being examined.

Please ensure:

All the boat's installations, systems and appliances are fully functional
As far as possible all gas joints, and as much pipework as possible are visible
All boat documents and existing certificates to hand

The Survey Procedure

Our surveyor will liaise with you and the yard as to the exact date and time of the survey. Following an examination of the vessel, a written report will be completed and forwarded to the client.

Types of Vessels Surveyed

Steel and Aluminium Vessels: Hulls are examined for incipient corrosion, and the underwater body inspected with an ultrasonic meter to gauge the plate thickness and to reveal areas where the metal may be thin. We use a Cygnus type multiple-echo instrument which measures hull thickness without the need to remove paintwork. Wooden Vessels: Hulls and structures hammer tested and probed for deterioration and decay. Seams inspected and fastenings withdrawn if requested or at the discretion of the surveyor.

GRP Vessels: Hulls and structures 'sounded' to ascertain it's integrity, and the gel coat examined for signs of blistering, cracks and crazing. Moisture levels in the hull are checked with a Tramex type marine moisture meter. Note that small sample areas of antifouling may be removed where necessary.

Types of Surveys

1. Full Condition Survey

A detailed survey to ascertain the condition of a vessel and everything pertaining to it, normally required by the prospective owner of a craft, and so termed a Pre-Purchase Survey.

Scope:
Hull, Keel, Framing, Longitudinals, Bulkheads, Decks, and Superstructure
Engine Installation, Shafts, Couplings, Glands, Stern Gear, Rudder and Steering System
Skin Fittings, Seacocks, Bilge Pumping Arrangements
Fuel System, Gas System, Electrical System
Fresh Water Installation, Toilet Installation, Heating & Ventilation Systems
Fire Fighting Equipment, Safety Equipment
Internal Outfit & Furnishings, Hatches, Windows & Portlights
Navigation Equipment, Instruments & Controls
Deck Fittings, Stantions, Guardrails & Handrails
Ground Tackle, Spare Gear
Masts, Spars, & Standing Rigging

Report:

Full report is sent to the client describing the surveyor's findings in detail, accompanied by a photographic record. The main body of the report identifies the individual defects along with their significance, and gives recommendations for their rectification.

2. Structural Survey —

Inspection of a vessels structure and hull, to determine integrity and evidence of collision damage and poorly made repairs. No inspection is made of the vessels' machinery, and systems. Survey limited to situations where comprehensive information provided by a full condition survey is considered unnecessary.

Example: Surveying a bare hull or a vessel that is to be stripped out prior to a rebuild.

Scope:

The following areas only are inspected:

Hull externally and internally, from keel to sheer.
Stern Gear, Rudder and Hangings.
Engine Bearers, Internal Framing, Longitudinals.
Bulkheads, Decks, and Superstructure.
Skin Fittings and Seacocks

Report:

A concise report concerned solely with the condition of the vessel's structure.

3. Hull: External Survey —

External inspection of the vessels hull and appendages (our surveyor does not board the vessel and therefore, the report will not detail any information regarding the internal structure or any other part of the vessel outside the scope of the survey).

Scope:

Hull externally from keel to sheer
Stern Gear, Rudder and Hangings

Report:

A brief report concerning the general condition of the hull, highlighting any serious problems.

4. Insurance Survey —

Insurance companies are generally concerned with specific aspects of a vessel relating to its structural and watertight integrity and the safety of her systems. An insurance survey may however be any type of survey that is required by the insurer for a particular vessel.

Scope:

Hull externally from keel to sheer
Stern Gear, Rudder and Hangings, Steering System
Internal Framing, Longitudinals, Bulkheads
Engine Bearers, Engine Installation, Shafts, Couplings, & Glands
Skin Fittings, Seacocks, Bilge Pumping Arrangements
Fuel, Gas and Electrical System
Fire Fighting and Safety Equipment

Report:

A short report concerned the above aspects, and often including a valuation.

5. Valuation Appraisal —

A valuation is often undertaken as part of another survey for a small additional charge. It can also be assessed from a separate, limited inspection of the vessel to provide information for a sale. A preliminary inspection of a vessel may also be requested by a client prior to a full condition survey.

Scope:

principal data
general appearance
list of gear and equipment
statement of value

Report:

A document stating the surveyor's opinion of the value of the vessel in the current market. This may not reflect the replacement value of the vessel, or the amount spent on it in recent rebuilds, refits, or equipment upgrades.

6. Damage Survey —

This is a survey assessing any form of damage to a vessel. It is restricted to determining the nature and extent of the damage. Our surveyor may set forth recommendations for the repairs necessary to return the vessel to a sound condition upon request along with estimates of cost. The client should be aware that costs can vary substantially from different repairers, and written quotations should be obtained. Note that no opinion will be given as to the likely cause, unless the surveyor is specifically instructed by the client.

Scope:

Nature of damage
Extent of damage
Recommendations for repairs (upon request)
Estimate of repair (upon request)

Report:

Includes a description of the damage with quantities of photographs and recommendations and estimates when requested.

Boat Building

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