Choosing A Yacht Surveyor – Why Ward & McKenzie

There are many ‘yacht surveyors’ on the market, what should you the client look for and why should you choose Ward & McKenzie?

Marine surveys and being a marine surveyor of small craft is considered to be a profession, ask any good marine surveyor.

However, it is a profession that legally requires no formal qualifications. Anybody can effectively become a marine surveyor and anybody sometimes does. All of our surveyors are qualified. They are hand picked to give what we feel is the best possible experience and knowledge. Most of our surveyors are MCA accredited and all our members of one or other of the main Proferssional Bodies. This makes us almost unique and gives you the client piece of mind when choosing us.

Our surveyors will all proudly state that they are Ward & McKenzie surveyors as it is a badge of quality.

Any purchaser must be aware of the fact the almost anyone can label themselves as a yacht surveyor. Be aware of this. From previous experience we would strongly recommend that a buyer does not go on price alone.

Membership of a professional institution is not a qualification in itself. However, membership often means a proven track record and that the surveyor has to participate in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, abide by a Code of Practice and a Code of Ethics. Ask what CPD your chosen surveyor has undertaken recently and what Codes have been signed up to.

There are literally hundreds of different types and designs of vessels afloat. It is reasonable to assume that the surveyor to whom you are talking may not have seen a particular type of vessel before.

Nevertheless, a good feel for a surveyor’s experience can be gained by asking what types of vessel have been inspected before. If your timetable allows, ask to see a sample survey report before committing yourself. Any reluctance by the surveyor should ring alarm bells. You need to be aware that any surveyor that you instruct owes you a duty of care. Ask the surveyor what that responsibility means to them. Be sure to ask if the surveyor is covered by professional indemnity insurance.

Surveyors operate to make a profit from the work they do. This is not unreasonable but it is also not unreasonable for you to expect to receive value for money. There are many ways in which a surveyor will price a job. Ask for an explanation of the methodology used, why it is used and what “extras” are not covered by the costing you have been given.

The world of small craft survey is full of jargon. If you are not sure what the surveyor means by the words used ask for an explanation.

Any yacht survey will be subject to limitations – a boat cannot be taken to pieces to be surveyed. Similarly, the survey report will be subject to certain caveats. Ask the surveyor what limitations and caveats are placed on any survey performed. Also ask what bits of the boat will be inspected during the survey.

By now you will have either upset the surveyor you have spoken to or will have received a courteous, professional response to each question asked. If it is the former It`s time to see what else is offered.