Friday, September 22, 2017

Things You Need To Know To Prepare For Marine Surveying In Ontario And Elsewhere

By Stephen Hayes


If you are lucky enough to own a boat, or are considering purchasing one, you probably already know there are certain responsibilities that go with it. If you are taking out a loan in order to buy it, the financial institution will require a survey before it loans you money. The insurance company will survey it before issuing a policy. If the boat is damaged, the adjuster will want to come aboard and survey the extent of repairs needed. In order to prepare for marine surveying in Ontario and elsewhere, there are things you can do to speed the process along.

When the surveyor comes on board, you don't need to have a crowd of people milling around on deck. The inspector needs to be able to move about the boat easily, and that could be difficult if there are friends and family in the way. In most cases, the fewer people on board at the time of the inspection the better. It may be necessary to have a pilot or crew member on hand to answer questions. This is especially true if you don't handle the vessel yourself.

You need to plan your inspection well in advance of the time you actually need a report, if possible. Inspectors are in high demand, and it is often difficult to make an appointment. Sometimes weather conditions require rescheduling. Once you have an appointment, it is important to be prepared for it and to be on time.

When you are expecting a surveyor, you want to make sure your vessel is cleaned up and looking its best. Everything should be functioning properly. If the surveyor is coming aboard to check for damage, you need to be prepared to show him or her exactly where the damage is and how it happened. A messy boat will send a message to the inspector that you are not following the maritime tradition of maintaining a vessel in pristine condition.

Any unnecessary gear that has accumulated on your boat needs to be removed before the inspector shows up. Extraneous equipment is something else that can get in your inspector's way and make it difficult to thoroughly examine the boat. Many surveyors will refuse to complete an inspection if the boat is full of extra gear.

There is certain equipment that should remain on your vessel. This includes any tools that might be needed to removed panels. You cannot expect the surveyor to bring these items on board or to remove the panels. Liability issues prevent inspectors from altering the vessel in any way. Not only will you have to have tools available, you will need to know how to use them.

Don't be afraid to ask questions when you get the final report or when a loan officer or insurance representative contacts you with their decisions. These reports can be difficult to read for those unfamiliar with them. The inspector should be happy to explain anything that confuses you.

Serious fishermen and sailors love the idea of having their own boats. It gives them the freedom to take off on the water whenever the conditions are right. Boats are assets, but they have costs and responsibilities associated with them. Periodic marine surveys are part of life for boat owners.




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