Marine surveyor

A Marine surveyor (including "Yacht & Small Craft Surveyor", "Hull & Machinery Surveyor" and/or "Cargo Surveyor") is a person who conducts inspections, surveys or examinations of marine vessels to assess, monitor and report on their condition and the products on them, as well as inspects damage caused to both vessels and cargo. Marine surveyors also inspect equipment intended for new or existing vessels to ensure compliance with various standards or specifications. Marine surveys typically include the structure, machinery and equipment (navigational, safety, radio, etc.) and general condition of a vessel and/or cargo. It also includes judging materials on board and their condition. Because certifications and subsequently payments are processed only after the surveyor has expressed his or her satisfaction, a marine surveyor holds a prestigious position and is held with much regard in the shipbuilding industry. Marine Surveyors are highly qualified and technically sound and are usually selected after thorough evaluation procedures as vessels ranging from small ferries to enormous crude oil carriers and cruise liners are approved to sail into the high seas based purely on their judgement,competence and integrity.

Marine surveying is often closely associated with marine insurance, damage and salvage, accident and fraud investigation as insurers generally lack the training and skills required to perform a detailed assessment of the condition of a vessel. While marine surveyors are sometimes employed by insurers directly they maintain a certain professional autonomy in order to provide an unbiased view. Independent marine surveyors are often employed by the clients of marine insurers to provide evidence in support of damage claims made against the insurer. Insurance companies cannot require customers to use specific marine surveyors (although they often provide a list of recommended or pre-approved marine surveyors who are known to them).

Marine surveyors use many credentials, letters, and terms such as "accredited", "certified", "qualified", " ACMS", "AMS", "CMS", etc. which can be purchased for 850 dollars in Florida over the internet. There are many ways to train to become a marine surveyor including taking correspondence courses, apprenticing, or simply opening a business and buying an accreditation. Marine surveyors pursue their profession independently of required organizations, and there is currently no national or international licensing requirement for marine surveyors. The U.S. Coast Guard does not approve or certify marine surveyors. All association terms and initials represent training and certification by private organizations.

Qualifications for a Marine Surveyor, though the list is long, can be summed up in the following: Working knowledge of ship's electrical & mechanical systems, fundamental understanding of boat design & construction. One of the most important things along with engineering certification is errors and omissions and Liability insurance to protect their clients from their mistakes or injury on private or government property. You should never hire a marine surveyor without errors and omissions insurance. If the insurance companies won't insure them, you are probably not getting a competent surveyor and most courts require a post-secondary marine graduate to be considered a marine expert.

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Wikipedia