Providing Yacht & Small Craft Marine Surveys

A Marine Survey is a statement of opinion from a professional marine surveyor about the condition and value of a vessel based upon their detailed first-hand inspection.  The survey is a technical investigation into the construction and condition of a boat, its components and systems at a particular moment – at the time of survey. The report will include a list of findings and recommendations, the vessel’s estimated Fair Market Value, reports on all federally mandated equipment and numerous photos documenting the vessels construction, systems and condition.

At Pilothouse Marine Services, we survey according to Federal Codes (CFR), USCG requirements, American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards and National Fire Protection Association requirements. As a member of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors I adhere to a strict Code of Conduct, Rules of Practice, and specific report writing standards.

Service Areas of Coverage:
Eastern NC: Beaufort, Morehead City, New Bern, Oriental, Washington, Swansboro, Hampstead, Wilmington, Southport, Manteo and OBX
Southeastern VA: Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Hampton
Will travel anywhere in US and Caribbean.

Types of Surveys

Pre-Purchase Survey

When Buying a Vessel

​The most comprehensive type of survey which is normally done prior to the purchase of a new or used boat.  The surveyor should be engaged by the prospective buyer as it is his interests that the surveyor will be working for.  This survey should be an exhaustive inspection covering every detail affecting the boat’s condition and safety including a thorough evaluation of all onboard systems, structural integrity of all components, the extent of existing problems, suggestions for upgrades and needed repairs.  The vessel is best inspected both in and out of the water and underway for a trial run.  The Pre-Purchase Survey also provides an estimate of the vessel’s Fair Market Value (FMV) to make sure you don’t pay too much, along with an opinion of its condition and replacement cost.  If you are purchasing a boat or yacht you should always insure that the purchase agreement and price are contingent upon a satisfactory Marine Survey.

Condition & Value Survey

For Insurance / Financing

​This Survey is often done specifically for insurance purposes when a vessel is acquired and at periodic intervals thereafter to insure a safe risk for coverage. It may also be requested by financial institutions to determine value of a vessel for loan or estate valuation. An insurance C&V survey may be performed with the vessel either afloat or ashore, depending on the insurance carrier’s requirements, and doesn’t necessarily require a sea trial or operational testing of all equipment and systems. For older boats and new policies, insurance underwriters normally require a haul out inspection to inspect the vessels wetted area and underwater machinery. Each insurance company has their own set of requirements as to what age/size vessel needs a survey, and what the survey report should include. The information contained in an insurance C&V survey report is not sufficient to make an informed decision regarding the purchase of the vessel.  Many aspects of the Pre-Purchase inspection are covered, but with greater emphasis on potentially hazardous flaws and safety issues.  Precise identification of all valuable gear and an opinion of the vessel’s fair market value and insurability are always included.  

Appraisal Surveys

For Settlements and Donations

Appraisal surveys are used for financing, estate and divorce settlements, and donation of vessels to charities. Professional marine surveyors are recognized by the IRS, courts, banks and insurance companies as boat and yacht appraisers within their area of expertise. 

Damage Survey

In the Event of Damage

The purpose of a Marine Damage Survey is to assess the extent of the damage sustained by the hull, rig, systems or elsewhere on the vessel.  The report presents information on the probable causes of the damage, recommendations on repairs, and validates repair estimates for such work.  Surveyors are typically hired by insurance companies to investigate claims.  Occasionally, a surveyor is hired by the boat owner directly to investigate out of the ordinary degradation or damage. We work closely with tow boat and salvage operators when the need arises, and often work with repair shops and boatyards to determine the cost of repairs.

Walk-Through Survey

Preliminary Survey

​You have seen all the broker / owner images and read their inventory list. But you need a set of 3rd party "eyes" on the yacht before committing to proceed to a formal survey.

If you are considering the purchase of a vessel but are a substantial distance away, do not have the time to travel to see each vessel opportunity, or are narrowing down your list to the top few - we can perform a Walk-through of a prospective boat/s to help you decide whether it is worthy of investing in the cost of a full Marine Survey. 

You will get a limited report, numerous photographs or video, and our initial findings / recommendations. Drone videos are also available within the US - subject to location and FAA restrictions.

Available to travel to any location. 

Survey Guidelines

• The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
• American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC®) standards and recommended practices
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA©) 'Fire Protection Standard for Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft'
• Value determinations by BUC® Value, Soldboats.com, ABOS, and Power Boat Guide
• Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS®) code of ethics and rules of practice​
• Boat builder and equipment manufacturers documentation

There are guidelines used in the survey that help with many of the judgment calls; I am not just acting on my now opinions. First and foremost is the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), often referred to as “Coast Guard regulations.” These cover minimal requirements for safety equipment, navigation lights, sanitation, engine, fuel and electrical systems on gasoline-powered and diesel-powered boats. 

Close behind the CFRs are the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Standards, which are “recommendations” rather than regulations, but can carry significant weight if an accident or failure ends up in court. The standards are extensive to say the least and they cover just about everything on a boat except the basic design and construction. Fortunately, since the standards are so complete, many of the sections will not apply to one individual boat or another. But most systems I see on a boat will have some relevant recommendations from ABYC. Additional standards that I cite come from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) Standard 302 'Fire Protection Standard for Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft'.

Are there still judgment calls? Certainly. The standards can’t help evaluate the significance of elevated moisture readings in a deck, or the level of wear in belts or hoses. And the toughest calls arise when we are faced with a system on an older model boat that doesn’t meet standards for boats built today. Is it wrong? Is it inherently dangerous? The answers almost always seem to start with, “It all depends...”

• What To Expect
• Survey Report
• The Process
• Checklists / Contract
• Rate Card

<

>

When you contract with Pilothouse Marine Services, LLC for any of your survey needs you can expect the following:

1.  We work for you - the client. As such we adhere to a strict confidentiality policy. Our report is provided only to you. We do not share the details with the seller or broker or boatyard. Sharing of report information is strictly up to the client.
2. We are professional. You can expect us to be on time - well prepared - extremely thorough - use high quality test equipment, computers and photographic equipment - and provided a detailed and comprehensive report within 48 hours of survey.
3. Our job is to survey your yacht to the best of our ability in accordance with the standards accepted for each type of survey conducted and to provide you with a detailed, referenced, photo-documented, prioritized report in PDF format. 
4. Our survey and reports are more detailed than the typical surveyor. You are paying for us to survey / inspect a vessel - not just snap a few iPhone photos and make an inventory list of items on board. That what brokers are for. 
5. If you are buying a boat - the only opportunity you will have to negotiate with the seller, based on its condition - is before the purchase. We will be detailed and thorough enough to enable you to make a strong case - if required. We are very focused on safety and reliability issues.
6. We are not in the business of providing boatyard estimates for materials, labor, etc. We DO try to be detailed enough that the survey report can be used by a boatyard manager to provide you with an accurate estimate to either repair deficiencies found in the survey or to provide the refitting / upgrades to your newly purchased boat to meet your specific requirements and boating dreams.
7. We advocate for you. Unless you specifically and in writing waive the requirement for a haul out and / or for sea trials - we make it a requirement for broker and seller to support and complete.
8. Disclosure. I am required prior to accepting an assignment, or if discovered at any time during the assignment, I must disclose to you - the client; and in the report any services regarding the subject vessel performed by the surveyor within the prior three years as a surveyor or in any other capacity.
9. No BS. If I am not qualified to inspect a system or make a recommendation as to its seaworthiness - then I will not BS you. For example, I have operated dozens of different engines in my career; but that does not qualify me to judge or rate a particular engine's performance, life expectancy, or issues. Similar with rigging - I have sailed numerous sailboat types but that does not qualify me to evaluate the condition of a sailboat's rigging prior to departing on a trans-ocean crossing. Based on your specific needs and boat requirements - we may recommend various specialists perform additional survey / inspections as required.
10. I am available for questions and follow-up.

Survey Report: a detailed, referenced, photo-documented, prioritized report in PDF format

The written survey report is the work product of the physical inspection and will include specific content, finding, and recommendations.

• As a surveyor it is expected that I will exercise all due diligence in the conduct of the survey and in the writing of the written report. 
• I will NOT report as fact anything I have not witnessed, checked or examined personally.
• I will NOT report any information regarding the condition of the vessel  or any of its components, fixtures or furnishings that was received from the owner, broker, captain, crew, or any other individual, without reporting the source of this information and stating that it has, or has not, been confirmed.

Survey Report Contents

• Vessel Data: The report will contain accurate vessel information to positively identify the subject vessel.
• Purpose: The report will contain details about the survey inspection and the parties involved.
• Identification: The report will include identification and / or serial numbers of the vessel and the vessel's major components if the are accessible and readable.
• Through Hull Fittings: The report will include information on the type and condition of "below the waterline or below the maximum heeled waterline" through hull fittings.
• Systems: Each system will be sufficiently detailed in your report. Other independent inspections or surveys conducted in conjunction with the survey will be listed (engine, rigging, electrical, etc).
• Findings: The report will contain the findings, remarks, and recommendations I have concerning:
  • Systems and/or equipment that fail to comply with applicable regulations or statutes in effect at time of survey
  • Non-regulatory or recommended standards deficiencies (ABYC, NFPA, ISO, ABS, etc.)
  • Equipment I feel should be added or upgraded for safe and/or convenient operation of the vessel on a stated or intended use.
• Photos: I take hundreds of high quality photos during the survey. The report will include photos that clearly document the vessel equipment and systems and also those photos which show deviation to the standards or norm, damage to the vessel and/or unique or expensive equipment incongruent to the vessel.
• Safety Equipment: The report will address Required or Recommended Safety Equipment.
• Summary: The report will include a summary which includes my opinions as to the vessel's maintenance, evidence of previous damage or submersion, and/or quality of repairs.
• Valuation: The report will contain a Current Market Value or Fair Market Value (FMV) and an Estimated Replacement Value for the vessel. I will include a statement of the method used and sufficient information showing the sources of the information used to develop my opinion of the value of the vessel. 

Please note that due to Confidentiality policy - I do not post sample surveys without client written and express permission.

The following steps are typical for most surveys. Jump to the step most appropriate to your needs.

1. Read through our web site - look at the information we provide - look at sample report.
2. Call us @ 252-732-6427 to discuss in person and to answer any questions you might have. You can do this at anytime throughout the process. 
3. Select the type of survey you need. 
4. Complete the Survey Request Form (see link on this page) so we have the details necessary to scope and price the service.
5. We will send you a Terms and Condition document that needs to be read - signed - and returned to us before we proceed.
6. Schedule the Survey with the vessel owner or their designated representative (broker, etc.). It takes a bit of coordination to get on our calendar, arrange for static portion of survey, then the haul-out, and then sea trials. All 3 parties are involved plus a boatyard.
7. Payment must be received prior to or on the day of the survey.
8. We need to perform the static portion of the survey first. Engines must be cold. 
9. If a Haul-out is required - you will need to schedule this with a local boatyard (or let the broker arrange it.) This must be coordinated with me. We need an ample amount of time for the haul-out, pressure wash the bottom, and a bit of time for drying plus the survey portion. Moisture reading tests are useless if the bottom paint is wet. 
10. If sea trials are required - this works best if it immediately follows the haul-out inspection. Once the vessel is relaunched - sea trials begin. The seller is responsible for operating the vessel or providing a licensed Captain. 
11. Upon completion of the survey we will perform the required research, market analysis, and write up the report. You can expect the report be delivered to you via email in PDF format within 48 hours.