What to do Before the Survey
Time and additional expenses can be saved by preparing the vessel for inspection and making her more accessible.
Arrange to present a clean, shipshape boat, and have all papers and miscellaneous gear ready. If applicable, you will need to make arrangements with the marina to haul the vessel for bottom inspection, and a captain for sea trial. If you want assistance with ether of these please let me know in advance I will help you with the arraignments. Lockers and cabin areas should be cleared of all miscellaneous gear. The surveyor should never be asked to prepare a boat for inspection. The surveyor may request minor dismantling of interior ceilings, headliners, flooring, etc. in order to gain access to suspected areas. Random inspection of fasteners on wood boats below waterline could be examined for condition. Any dismantling and re-installation of these parts should be performed by qualified personnel, which is the responsibility of the person ordering the survey. The better access a surveyor has the better job he or she will do. If the surveyor discovers something that is going to require dismantling parts of the vessel the survey should be stopped and the condition discussed with the client. At thins point the client must decide if the survey is to precede and if so who will be responsible for the additional expenses. As a matter of fact if the surveyor finds anything unusual they should stop and discus the condition with the client before proceeding.
Written authorization from the owner may be needed to board and/or to remove any part of the vessel.
