Marine survey

A survey is only as useful as its scope is clear. Before anything is inspected, we agree with you what the survey is for, which areas it covers and what the report will contain.

The report states what was inspected, what was found and what could not be inspected, so you know exactly what it does and does not tell you.

What is inspected

The checklist follows the purpose. For a pre-purchase or condition survey it covers the craft as found; for a CE-related survey (for example before a post-construction assessment, after a major conversion, or when the documentation is being rebuilt) it is organised by the essential requirements of Annex I of Directive 2013/53/EU and refers to the harmonised standards cited for each point in the Official Journal list. The standards are the designer’s and builder’s tools; the survey checks what can be seen and measured on the craft and whether the documentation matches it.

• Hull and structure (Annex I.A 3.1). Hull surfaces, laminate or plating condition, structural members, keel and rudder attachments, signs of damage, repair or osmosis; percussion sounding and moisture readings where the purpose calls for them. Reference: the EN ISO 12215 series (hull construction and scantlings) for the build and the scantling documentation.
• Stability, freeboard and buoyancy (3.2, 3.3, 3.6). Loading condition, freeboard, downflooding points and buoyancy elements against the stability and load documentation. Reference: EN ISO 12217-1/-2/-3 and EN ISO 14946 (maximum load).
• Openings, watertightness and through-hull fittings (3.4, 3.5). Windows, portlights, hatches and doors; seacocks and their accessibility; cockpit drainage; bilge pumping. Reference: EN ISO 12216, EN ISO 9093, EN ISO 11812, EN ISO 15083.
• Deck equipment, anchoring and mooring points, falling-overboard protection and reboarding (2.3, 3.9). Strong points, guard rails, handholds, boarding means. Reference: EN ISO 15084, EN ISO 15085.
• Engine installation and fuel system (5.1, 5.2). Engine compartment separation and ventilation, mounts, exhaust, fuel tanks, lines and hoses, shut-offs, fire protection of the engine space. Reference: EN ISO 10088, EN ISO 21487, EN ISO 11105, EN ISO 7840/8469, EN ISO 9094.
• Electrical system (5.3). Batteries and their securing and ventilation, overload protection, wiring condition, shore power installation. Reference: EN ISO 13297.
• Steering (5.4). Steering gear condition and emergency steering means. Reference: EN ISO 8847, 8848, 10592, 13929.
• Gas, fire protection, navigation lights and discharge prevention (5.5–5.8). LPG installation and cylinder locker, extinguishers and their positions, lights, holding tank and discharge connections. Reference: EN ISO 10239, EN ISO 9094, EN ISO 16180, EN ISO 8099.
• Markings and documents (2.1, 2.2, 2.5). Watercraft identification number, builder’s plate, owner’s manual and the EU declaration of conformity against each other and against the craft.

Each item in the report cites the Annex I point and, where relevant, the standard it refers to, so that a designer, builder or notified body can pick up the finding directly. The full map of points and standards is in the Essential Requirements Guide.