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Choosing a Marine Surveyor

Purchasing a boat is often the largest asset outlay after the house so doing it the right way is essential

Thinking of buying a new boat?  It could be the second most valuable purchase of your lifetime. Not only are you investing your money, you are also investing your life and that of your passengers and you need to ask yourself “How much is my life, my passengers lives and our safety at sea worth?” The answer?  It’s priceless!

To protect yourself, you need an unbiased independent inspection from a professional who has made it their business to know boats. You need a qualified and experienced marine surveyor to perform a pre-purchase inspection, preferably one certified in their field.

Marine Surveyors, as the name implies, survey and inspect seagoing vessels. They can specialise in different sectors of the maritime industry and a professional surveyor will know your boat better than you do. A pre-purchase marine survey report should accurately cover all areas of your boat including condition and integrity as well as defects, damage, or previous repairs. You should know all this before you purchase, not on your first expedition ten miles offshore.

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL

So, that all sounds easy. You engage a surveyor, they inspect a boat, you have peace of mind. Right?  If only it was that straightforward. Unlike other professions, there is no regulation on the minimum qualifications or experience for marine surveyors that allows them to call themselves ‘professional’. And with so many different vessels and sectors within the maritime industry, not all surveyors are alike. It can be a minefield for consumers choosing a surveyor for the first  time. How do you know your surveyor is cut out for the job? 

The Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) offers different levels of membership to marine surveyors and has a rigorous vetting process for all members. Minimum qualifications and experience are required prior to being accepted. The AIMS verifies the qualifications and experience submitted to make sure that the surveyor can competently undertake the survey categories they are claiming and the allocated membership level reflects these skills. The AIMS also holds members accountable to a Code of Professional Practice and requires the surveyor to complete annual professional development activities.  

There are over 400 members within the Australasian region ranging from members just starting out in their marine surveying profession through to the most qualified Certified Commercial Surveyors who hold surveying qualifications paired with many years of hands-on experience. When you search the AIMS database for a surveyor, you can see what level of membership your surveyor holds. This kind of transparency helps you make an informed decision.

Taking the guesswork out of choosing a surveyor is how AIMS can help your purchase become the enjoyable experience it should be.  Once you embark on your boat buying journey , visit www.aimsurveyors.com.au or call (02) 6262 6555 for assistance in selecting a quality Marine Surveyor. 


BUYING TIPS

  • Check for AMS membership and credentials
  • Use specialist surveyor for specific type of boat
  • Ask for reference of similar boat surveyed