IIMS is often asked by members how much depth and detail they should give when preparing their reports and what should have been inspected and reported on. Remember, you will have carried out a forensic inspection when surveying the vessel, so it is important that your final written report accurately and factually reflects what you have seen. And always write your report in the past tense. The advice below is aimed towards yacht and small craft marine surveyors
So, here is a helpful guide for yacht and small craft marine surveyors with some suggested useful phrases to include in your reports.
Interior trim:
Head and side linings – state if they were clean, or not. How well secured were they? Give details and describe any damage you found.
Furnishings:
Curtains, carpets and upholstery can be expensive items for a vessel owner, especially to replace. Were they clean and in good order? If so, say so. If not then mention any marks, damage and especially water damage you found.
Water leaks:
Check windows, portholes, escape hatches, sky lights with diligence. Did you see any evidence of new leaks or any long-standing ones, or both?
Timber furniture:
Comment how well secured it was (or not) and mention any marks, damage, or visible water stains.
Doors and cupboards:
Were the catches, latches and hinges operative? Did the securing locks work or not? Report accordingly.
Fire extinguishers:
What make and size were they? Were they fully pressurized? What was the service date – were they in or out of service date?
Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
Were they operative?
Lights:
Were they all working or not? If any were inoperative, report and indicate which ones.
Galley
What equipment was fitted – give the maker’s names or brand names – cooker, refrigerator, microwave – and so on. Have they been switch tested and were they operative or not? If they were not tested, state why not
Gas pipes:
What condition were the pipes in? Were the pipes loose, or were they well secured? Were the shut off valves free and operative? Report accordingly.
Toilet Compartments:
What type of toilet was fitted and what make was it? Was it tested or not. Again, if it was not tested, why not? Check and report on all hoses and clips. Were they well secured?
Bilges:
Access to the bilges in all cabins is very important. If any of the sole panels or hatches were accessible, but could not be lifted because they were secured down or fixed beneath carpets thus preventing access to the bilges, you must report this. Failure to say this will leave the report reader to assume the surveyor did not try to look at the bilge.
Mains 230/240 AC supply:
If the vessel was connected to a shore supply, you should comment on the system and the equipment on board.
Gas installation:
How many gas bottles were onboard, what type and size? What was the condition of the flexible gas hoses and regulators? Importantly, were they in or out of date? If you did not test the system, you must say so in your report.
Batteries:
Report the type, age and condition if known. Were the batteries boxed and were all terminals clean and well secured?
Hulls
Skin fittings:
Ensure each one is visually inspected. A useful phase to use is: “The skin fittings were visually inspected and appeared to be in serviceable condition but were not removed or stripped at this time.”
Gelcoat:
Check the condition thoroughly. To simply say the hull has a good lustre is not enough detailed information. A useful phase to consider is: “The gelcoat of this area was in fair condition and free from any serious damage, major repairs or stress cracking or crazing, but was very dull and dirty.” Adapt as necessary depending on what you saw. Another useful phase might be: “A few minor or scratches and abrasions were noted, but these were considered to be superficial cosmetic defects only.” Once again, adapt as necessary.
Gel coat repairs:
Has the hull had any small gelcoat repairs? If so, a useful phrase is: “Some small gel coat repairs have been carried out over the years. These were sound and well fashioned.” If this is not the case, you must describe the problem which could be – poorly matched, not sound, painted, unfinished and so on
Rubbing strake:
What type is it and what is the condition? For example, “The rubbing strake consisted of aluminum section with a black rubber insert. This was securely mounted over the joint of the hull and superstructure and free from any serious damage. The rubber insert was in serviceable condition although a little scuffed in places and had shrunk slightly leaving a small gap on both stern quarters.” Adapt as necessary based on what you saw
Anchor chain and /or warp:
Were these firmly secured and correctly tethered?
Windows and portholes:
Give details of the material type of the frames (wooden, aluminium, or plastic). What was the condition – (ie. any corrosion of flaking paint). Another useful phrase might be: “The anodized aluminum framed portholes, escape hatches and windows were firmly secured into the superstructure and free from damage.” Adapt as necessary.
Cockpit hood:
Report the condition of the material, stitching, zips and window sections.
Davits, winch wires and winches:
Were these operative? Check for corrosion and any damaged cables and report accordingly.
Fenders and warps:
Check the condition.
Out drive units:
What type were they and what model?
Ensure you inspected, checked and reported on the following:
Casing, hydraulic hoses, rams, bellows, pins and bushes, anodes, propellers, earth bonding wires and oil – was it emulsified?
Shaft/s:
Check and report on the size and shaft alignment. Did the shaft/s run true? Report accordingly.