So you’ve found your dream boat and have made the smart choice to engage a marine surveyor before you commit to the purchase. You’ve taken a great step towards protecting your investment, but where do you start in your search for the right marine surveyor in an unregulated industry?
The good news is you’re not alone in your journey. The Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) has a membership of over 400 surveyors with varying degrees of experience and qualifications. We take the professionalism of our surveyors seriously and our members adhere to a strict Code of Professional Conduct and ongoing yearly Continuing Professional Development. Our transparency helps consumers make an informed choice in their surveyor.
When making contact with a marine surveyor, take the time to ask a few questions. Do you know what type of survey you need? A pre-purchase and insurance survey are not one and the same. An insurance survey is primarily for the needs of insurance companies and is often a tick box report outlining the features of the vessel. It provides little information or peace of mind for the boat purchaser on the quality or condition of the vessel.
A pre-purchase survey is much more detailed and reports not only on the features of the vessel but also the condition including any evident recent repairs or future maintenance requirements. A pre-purchase survey will cost you more, but its value is worth every cent.
Don’t be afraid to ask the qualifications and experience of your surveyor. What is their professional background that led them to marine surveying? Have they undertaken any marine surveying specific qualifications, such as a Diploma of Marine Surveying? Do they have the expertise to provide a mechanical report as part of their survey? And do they have prior experience on boats such as yours specifically? A quality surveyor will usually advertise their expertise and can answer questions to confirm their suitability for your survey. Is your surveyor covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance? Ask for evidence of their insurance coverage before you begin, you want to make sure all bases are covered in the event things don’t go as planned.
Ask your surveyor for a Terms of Engagement if they don’t provide one. This document outlines the specifics of the survey type and report to be provided as well as survey costs and payment terms. It is critical in clarifying exactly what you are getting for your money and in the undesirable event that things don’t go as planned, can form a legal agreement to fall back on. If your surveyor does not provide a Terms of Engagement agreement, you can download one from the AIMS website free of charge.
Insist on getting your terms in writing before you begin. Armed with all this knowledge, you can confidently undertake the task of selecting your surveyor and getting the right survey for your needs. There is no better way to proceed on the adventure of boat ownership than with peace of mind for the safety of your asset and all those onboard.
The Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors believes in the value of a quality survey and consumers can turn to us and our surveyors to assist you well on your way.
If you are not sure if your surveyor is a member you can search the AIMS database at www.aimsurveyors.com.au or give us a call on 02 6232 6555.
Published in print August-December 2024
