Marine and offshore surveyors inspect a boat, yacht or an offshore platform.
They also survey small commercial ships, tugs, trawlers, dredgers, ex-barges and narrow boats of varying types and sizes.
The job of a marine surveyor is to ascertain whether the vessel is in a sea, or river worthy condition. This is the basic task of a marine and offshore surveyor.
Marine surveyors are also called to investigate the causes of an accident, because they can provide expert advice on a ship or a boat.
Marine surveyors either find employment in large insurance companies or can specialize in inspecting small vessels that are used for pleasure boating.
They can also specialize in a particular area such as inland waterway craft, wooden hulls and so on.
While, a marine surveyor conducts a survey, he/she inspects the structure and condition of the hull and checks for delamination.
They also check the moisture levels using a moisture meter. The deck is also checked for structural issues which include checking the plumbing, and electrical systems as well as fuel, exhaust, and steering systems.
The engine and the mechanical system are also inspected. Some surveyors do compression checks on gasoline engines and outboards.
During the survey, water or sea trials are also conducted, where the boat is taken out to sea to test the engines and other equipment.
And during an out of water inspection the boat is lifted up for a full bottom inspection as the underwater condition of the vessel needs to be checked.
