Marine Damage Survey

The purpose of a Marine Damage Survey is to assess the extent of the damage sustained by the hull, rig, systems, or elsewhere on the vessel. The report presents information on the probable causes of the damage, recommendations on repairs, and estimates the costs for such work. Boats get damaged. Sometimes requiring only minor work to be done, other times it is completely beyond repair.

  Surveyors are typically hired by insurance companies to investigate claims. Sometimes a surveyor is hired by a boat owner directly to investigate out of the ordinary degradation or damage, especially on newer boats.  

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Some of the typical types of damage investigations include: 

• Boat Trailer Accidents
  
• Leaking Fuel Tanks
  
• Fire / Arson
• Pollution Mitigation
• Severe Weather
• Sinking

• Collision
• Allision
  
• Groundings
• Striking Submerged Objects
• Mechanical Problems
  

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    A damage survey report typically includes: 

• Reported circumstances of the damage
• Statements from owners, operators and witnesses
• Identification and description of the vessel and its condition
• Description of damages
  
• Opinion as to the cause of loss
• Review of repair estimates for reasonableness
  
• If no estimates, Preparation of a Damage Appraisal
  
• Pre-Loss and Post-Loss valuation of the vessel

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If necessary, the surveyor will identify and recommend any third party experts needed to further evaluate damage and help define suitable repairs.

Such expects are usually needed in cases of:

• Fire investigations
• Complicated mechanical problems
• Large areas of hull damage
• Electrical problems in complex systems