Operating worldwide, we provide a rapid response to surveying, certification and assurance for both boat owners and builders, as well as lawyers and lenders.
We are members of the International Institute of Marine Surveyors (IIMS) and accredited by the major certifying authorities, including the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and International Marine Consultants (MECAL), to ensure that your vessel is sound and fit for purpose.
We work with most of the boat builders, major banks and finance houses throughout Europe.
Marine Surveys are carried out on all types of commercial and leisure boats. Like a house survey, they range in purpose from proof of vessel for insurance purposes to pre-purchase condition checks or, an in-depth survey for new build or second-hand boats.
If you own a vessel and require commercial marine insurance, you will need a commercial vessel survey. This will depend on the type of vessel and the category of water you operate in, as well as the type and age of the vessel and the standards it meets. We are authorised by MECAL to carry out commercial surveys and can advise you on motor vessels, sailing vessels and work boats.
When financing a vessel in most cases lenders will require a boat to be part 1 registered to enable the lender to register their charge on the vessel. As part of the Part 1 registration process, a Tonnage Survey and Board is required.
We provide standard packages for marine lawyers, lenders, charter businesses and private owners to ensure a comprehensive service around the world.
We act for European lawyers such as LA Marine, and lenders such as CGI Finance who are recognised by over 500 boat distributors across Europe and provide finance for more than 10,000 boats per year.
We are approved by the MCA to undertake Tonnage Measurements on vessels of up to 24m (load line length) for British Registration.
All commercial vessels must comply with the relevant MCA Code of Practice and can be issued with Certificates by an Authorised Certifying Authority. As an approved surveyor, we are authorised by the MCA to code vessels up to 24m (load line length).
The Code requires that all vessels comply with certain safety and stability requirements. This includes all small vessels in commercial use for sport or pleasure, workboats and pilot boats.
As experienced surveyors, we’ll walk you through the survey, provide advice on compliance and see that your vessel is fit for purpose.
We are approved to form the stability booklet (SIB) in line with the requirements of the MCA for coded vessels. We form all the necessary calculations, drawings and if required 3D models. These are required in the following situations:
In some cases we take a complete 3D survey of the vessel to recreate the lines and sail plan in order to formulate the stability booklet.
If the vessel does not require a Stability Information Booklet, it will require some form of Simplified Assessment of Stability. What is required depends on the vessel design, the specific Code of Practice, and the nature of your boat’s operations. We are certified to form the Simplified Stability Assessments which is required for yachts and motorboats category 2 – 6.
We’re authorised on behalf of the RYA to guide you through everything you need.
Yachts competing in OSR Category 0-2 races are required to undergo an inspection of the keel and rudder, by a qualified person, within two years prior to the start of the race.
As an approved surveyor, we are authorised by the RYA to carry out this survey.
The procedure enables compliance with World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations 2021, Regulation 3.02.3 for yachts competing in OSR Category 0-2 races, in accordance with the outline principles and practices in Appendix L of the Regulations which address structural integrity of keels and rudders.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced boat owner, you’ll want to be confident that what you’re getting is worth the price, as well as a clear opinion of what condition the vessel is in. So that you can avoid any surprises.
We carry out a thorough check on every aspect of the vessel and will provide a detailed report before you proceed with the purchase, identifying defects, highlighting any areas of concern and providing recommendations for any remedial work required.
For second-hand boats, pre-purchase surveys are always advisable and cover a thorough inspection of all areas of the vessel, which offers great peace of mind.
Some clients feel comfortable with general wear of the vessel, but require specialist advise for the hull structure.
Arguably, one of the key parts to a pre-purchase survey is the hull, as damage to this area can cost considerable time and money to repair.
If you have a keen eye and knowledge for the interior and running systems but are looking for some support with verifying that the structure is in good working order, we would be happy to survey the hull for you.
Whilst we recommend a thorough survey throughout the vessel, we specialise in surveying hull structures.
We understand that full surveys are sometimes not requested and offer dedicated hull structural surveys, which include percussion test and moisture meter readings.
If you’ve ordered a newly built vessel, you’ll want to be sure that it lives up to your exact specification and quality finish. We can provide the assurance you need with a full inspection and sea trial (where applicable). This includes the vessel structure, interior, exterior, systems check and full snagging list for the builder to complete before you ‘sign off’ and accept the vessel.
After an accident or natural disaster, an accident or damage survey is carried out at the request of your insurance company.
We have extensive experience in assessing these vessels, including storm damage in the Caribbean.
An insurance survey is not just an inexpensive pre-purchase survey but a comprehensive inspection of the vessel relating to its seaworthiness, structural condition and safety.
The majority of insurers require a new survey once a vessel reaches a certain age. However, it depends on the insurance company, the value of your boat and its age.
We offer a range of Project Management packages to ensure your vessel is built to the highest quality, in line with specification and class requirements within the agreed time and budget.
A Marine Survey is a technical inspection and detailed report that reveals the condition and value of a boat, like a property survey. It is essential for providing peace of mind and protection when buying a boat – whether new or secondhand – ensuring that the vessel is seaworthy and that no important elements are overlooked.
Our role is to ensure that your vessel is fit for purpose and is in a suitable and seaworthy condition. This includes a thorough inspection of the hull for soundness and water intrusion, as well as checking the running gear, and all other systems, depending on the survey.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Code of Practice for Small Commercial Vessels applies to all vessels up to 24 metres in length (<24m load line length) used for commercial purposes, operating within UK waters or under a British flag. All such vessels are required by law to comply with this Code of Practice and carry certificates issued by an Authorised Certifying Authority. Find out more: The Royal Yachting Association
If you charter your boat or use it commercially then you are required to comply with the MCA Codes of Practice (see above) to ensure the safety of those on board. This includes vessels such as motor boats, yachts and river cruisers.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) requires all coded vessels to comply with certain stability requirements. These criteria and standards will depend on the vessel design, the specific Code of Practice, and the nature of your boat’s use. Any changes that alter the vessel from the original design may impact on the stability of the vessel.
The Iceni 39 'Andrasta' starts a new era this season now she is MCA Coded and available for commercial charter. We would like to thank Andrew and Chris at AD Marine Services for carrying out the survey.
We pride ourselves on offering a friendly, reliable, and responsive service, supporting our clients all over the world. If you are looking for a trusted and experienced Naval Architect or Marine Surveyor, get in touch. We will provide the support you need.
