WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A MARINE SURVEY?

A critical examination or inspection of a marine vessel for a specific purpose; the action of ascertaining facts regarding conditions or the condition of something to provide exact information especially to persons responsible or in fact interested; an examination of a vessel or a part of its cargo or equipment to determine its condition, responsibility for damage and disposition to be made.

WHY AN ACCREDITED & CERTIFIED MASTER MARINE SURVEYOR?

The surveyor you choose should be the best one to protect your safety and investment. After all, you have time, money and love invested in your vessel or the vessel you wish to launch. Marine surveying is not a regulated profession. The U.S. Coast Guard does not license, certify or approve marine surveyors. What does this mean to you, the boater or sailor who needs to have a marine survey or appraisal compiled for purchase, insurance, or repair? Basically it means you are almost always left to your own discretion on choosing who inspects your vessel. Accordingly, you must choose your marine surveyor wisely. To help you with this important decision, please review the information under USSA the Criteria Defining a NAVTECH/USSA Surveyor.

WHY SHOULD YOU SELECT ROB SCANLAN?

I have more than 40 years as a marine surveyor; 55 years in the marine sector. Please see my resume, credentials and affiliations. Every year thousands of boat owners rely on my extensive experience, references and credentials.

If you should have a claim for insurance coverage, I represent only you -- not the insurance underwriter. I never have and never will perform any damage adjusting or consulting for any insurance underwriter. You are assured of my total allegiance to you as my client. And, as an additional benefit for all my clients, as your marine surveyor, I will never charge you for phone consulting on any marine related issue.

WHAT IS A CONDITION AND VALUATION SURVEY?

In its simplest terms, a condition and valuation survey is a report on the current condition of a vessel and its current value as judged by geographical location and condition. It assures the insurance company and financial institution that the vessel meets U.S. Coast Guard, National Fire Protection Association & American Boat and Yacht Council safety standards and that it is insured for enough value to replace it if damaged or lost.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

It aids you in the fact that you are insured sufficiently to meet any loss and that your vessel meets criteria for safe operation and welfare of your crew and passengers.

16,000 watt POWERHOUSE generator on my service truck with 30amp & 50amp connections, cords and adapters to plug your yacht in for testing AC/DC electrical systems.

High performance racing boat survey with engine diagnostics

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS?

Usually vessels are financed up to a certain percentage of their value. The remainder is your down payment. My survey advises the financial institution of the value of your vessel.

HOW OFTEN IS THE SURVEY REQUIRED?

It will depend on the insurance company, the value of your vessel and its age. For the sake of safety, a survey is recommended every three years.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

All Survey Fee Negotiated. We perform osmosis and corrosion analysis, engine compression testing, spectrometric engine fluid analysis, metal hull ultra sounding and sea trials for a very reasonable charge. Spectrometric oil analysis can reveal any abnormal or unusual bearing and cylinder wear inside the engines using computer diagnostics.

HOW LONG DOES A SURVEY TAKE?

I recommend that you be there to open any locks, hatches and give me permission to board and inspect. The survey can run anywhere from 2 to 10 hours depending on the size of the vessel and 2 to 8 hours in the office to thoroughly prepare the survey report. Larger yachts and commercial vessels may take me 2-3 days to conduct a thorough survey.

WHAT EQUIPMENT/TESTING SERVICES DO WE PROVIDE?

My service truck is a custom design-build Chevrolet extended maxi-van which logs more than 1, 250 miles per week surveying corporate, private and commercial vessels throughout coastal New England, Cape Cod and the Islands.

The truck interior is state-of-the art design and equipped with on-board gauges, tools, instrumentation and calibration meters to conduct full-scope engine analysis and compression testing on gasoline and diesel engines. The truck has air-ride suspension to protect all my electronics and computers.

These are some of the engine diagnostic instruments and software I would use on your engines.

This equipment includes percussion sounding and ultra-sounding electronic instruments for the hull. I also conduct AC/DC electrical testing of all circuits and breakers on board the vessel. On board the truck is an extensive inventory of SNAP-ON tools and devices including the dial indicators to test the true run-out of the vessel's shafts if needed.

The truck plugs into an AC system back at the office at the end of the day to keep all battery-powered tools, meters and gauges full charged for the next assignment.

The computer system on-board the truck gives me instant information on the vessel I am surveying with respect to the recalls, hull number, documentation number; current owner as well as all previous owners. Further information is obtained over the computer in the truck to inform me of any past insurance claims on the vessel and if the engines and outdrives or related machinery and electronics are original.

The truck has an electric hose reel that holds 1,850 feet of 3/4" high-pressure water hose with all the fittings to enable me to run the engines, genset and A/C pumps on board the vessel as she lay supported on keel blocks and jack stands. The hose reel is electrically powered to retrieve the entire length of hose back onto the reel. The on-board electronics in the truck used to survey your vessel are calibrated annually. Note also, I re-winterize the engines and generator during winter months.

CAN I BE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY?

I welcome all clients to be present, and I have no problem explaining as I conduct the survey. You must have help from your crew to move any furniture.

HOW IS PAYMENT TO BE MADE?

Certified check, bank money order or cash -- NO PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED.