Questions
- What is the difference between a survey for insurance and a
pre-purchase survey
?.
- As a generalisation, there is not a great deal of difference in the
way the vessel is inspected, the main difference is in the amount of
detail reported. If you are the purchaser of a vessel it is helpful
to know as much as possible regarding every part of the structure as
is possible this includes every scratch and mark of any consequence
on the gelcoat and general cosmetic condition. As the owner of a
vessel the majority of those superficial areas are of no consequence
to either the owner or the insurer. Serious structural faults would
be highlighted in both particular cases but in insurance inspection
the report is generally less focused on non essentials.
- What types of Survey are available?
- As an owner or potential owner of the vessel then, you can have
any part of the vessel inspected as you choose. There is no obligation
to have a minimum or maximum amount of structure inspected.
- How soon after the inspection will I receive the report
- Generally, a report will be available for early reading within 24
to 36 hours, this is often an Email draft copy if an e-mail address is
available. The full printed copy would follow within 2 to 3 working
days.
- If there is information in the report that I do not understand -
what can I do?
- One of the reasons to produce a draft report is so that an early
viewing of what the survey in its completed form will contain with
regard to the vessel’s condition. At that time, the client can go
through that draft report and highlight areas that require further
clarification or description. This allows some changes of text where
appropriate to suit the particular client.
- Once a fault is detailed in the report what happens next?
- In virtually all cases where ever any fault no matter how minor,
is noted there will always be a comprehensive description of how to
repair or reinstate the area and, at the end of the report is a
comprehensive section on all aspects of repair, maintenance, osmosis,
electrolysis and much more. Working as a shipwright for both timber and
grp vessels the experience gained in repairing such vessels is passed on
to any client who may be interested.
- How do I prioritise faults noted in the report
- Part of the duty when compiling the report is to prioritise
these areas specifically for you and, they are broken into three
major star groups
*** requiring immediate attention,
** will
require some attention not necessarily today,
* not
particularly important but would be of benefit at some time
- Does it matter if the vessel is afloat or ashore?
- Most insurance surveys will require the vessel to be ashore even
if it is only lifted out of the water temporarily for inspection. Some
insurance companies will accept a limited inspection if done afloat but,
if it is for pre-purchase then, you are strongly advised to have the
vessel ashore for inspection.
- How long does a grp boat have to be out of the water before
moisture meter readings can be taken.
- This can vary enormously, it is possible that some vessels will
be lifted from the water and within a very short time have moisture
meter readings that are particularly low. Low readings such as that are
obviously quite reliable as, the readings can only get lower after time
ashore. However, this is not the common scenario, most vessels will
have high readings immediately following lift out and, when a vessel is
lifted in the slings by boatyard there is often pressure of time
regarding boatyard schedules to get the vessel back in the water. These
higher readings taken at that time will be almost worthless and
certainly unreliable. A period of 24 hours ashore will give a much more
reliable assessment of what residual readings may be as, the majority of
physical drying out of water takes place in the first 24 hours, this
gradually slows down and any changes after 24 hours are much less
marked. If it is absolutely imperative for accuracy of moisture meter
readings then, if at all possible the vessel should have been ashore for
a minimum of two or three days prior to survey. However, this is not
always practical and will always be more expensive for the buyer.
- I’m thinking of buying a timber vessel, what arrangements do I
have to make and what is it important to do when the vessel is out of
the water?
- Timber vessels have their own particular method of inspection.
There is no absolute need for these to be dried after lifting out but,
the majority of timber vessels will have fastenings along the garboard
plank (the first plank up from the keel) and hood ends (hood ends are
the ends of the plank attached to the bow and stern of the vessel) these
fastenings are important and very often overlooked for many decades. In
the course of survey at least two or three of these fastenings would be
found and removed for checking. However, specific permission has to be
obtained for this from either the broker or the owner as, occasionally,
these screws will fail upon removal because of corrosion or lack of
previous inspection and, with regard to carrying out any type of survey,
one of the obligations of the surveyor he is to minimize, or cause no,
damage whatsoever. Discovering corroded screws could be interpreted as
causing damage hence the requirement for permission. Keelbolts will not
be removed as this can be a prolonged job beyond the scope of the survey
but, advice will be given in the survey relevant to the vessel.
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