About Us

Shipsurveyors.com is designed to provide a quick and easy directory for locating surveyors and consultants meeting with the survey requirements of prospective purchasers, brokers, managers, insurers, loss adjusters, solicitors, etc.

The requirements for a Survey can often be broad-reaching, hence the database is arranged to enable surveyors the opportunity to select from the survey categories that best describe the services they offer for entering on the database. Potential clients are able to search by surveyor category identifying suitable surveyors, the database will then provide contact details and direct web-links to surveyors at no cost.

A short summary is provided for each survey category to give an over-view of the spectrum of marine surveying. There are also a number of specialist surveyors practising in disciplines such as coatings and Non-Destructive material testing, to maintain the database in a quick and easy to use format we would encourage entries from specialist surveyors to subscribe under the consultant category.

Small craft surveyors are generally required to conduct “condition surveys” on behalf of purchasers for either sail, motor or workboats having hull materials comprising either timber, grp, frp, steel, aluminium even ferrous cement. Other requirements may be to provide damage surveys on behalf of insurers or owners. Most small craft surveyors have a background either in naval architecture or boat construction.

Hull surveyors generally provide pre-purchase general condition surveys, damage surveys, new construction supervision and insurers P&I and pre-risk surveys of commercial ships. Given the diverse nature of commercial vessels i.e. from Oil and Gas tankers to passenger ships and fast ferries to large commercial and private yachts, surveyors are encouraged to list any vessel specialisms on their websites. Hull surveyors generally have a background in naval architecture, ship construction or marine engineering.

Depending upon the type of vessel the value of its machinery can represent up to 40% of its overall value, hence the services of a machinery surveyor are often required for overseeing machinery installations during building or when undertaking significant repairs. Purchase surveys will often include a requirement for a machinery trial attendance for providing an assessment on the machinery condition. Unfortunately machinery damages still form the majority of insurers claims and experienced machinery surveyors can be called upon by Insurers for the conduct of machinery damage surveys to identify causation and plan repairs. The machinery surveyor generally has experience as a marine engineer and professional qualifications within the discipline.

The introduction in recent years of the International Safety Management and Ship and Port Security codes leads to a new breed of surveyor specialising in safety management. The surveyor provides a service to the industry by assisting clients to meet with the codes in the first place and follow up with the provision of regular audits. While this is largely the domain of ex-Master Mariners, a number of ex-seagoing marine engineers with appropriate training also operate in this field.

Cargo surveyors may be required by shippers to verify the safe stowage of dry and bulk cargoes and can also be called upon to monitor the loading and discharge of cargo reporting on damages and delays. Oil cargo surveyors act on behalf of the oil companies for agreeing cargo ullage figures, draught surveys, and for the inspecting and vetting of tankers against prescribed standards. Cargo surveyors often have a marine background having served on merchant ships in a capacity having responsibility for the cargo loading, stowage and discharge.

With the increasing search for energy sources, there are now a significant number of specialised offshore vessels classed as Mobile Offshore Units requiring offshore surveyors to have the relevant experience and offshore certification for conducting surveys in the field. Survey requirement are often at the request of insurers or owners seeking upgrading or modifications to existing units. Specialised requirements also exist for the conduct of dynamic positioning surveys and audits by offshore surveyors. Offshore surveyors are usually found to have a marine engineering or naval architecture background. Master Mariner surveyors are called upon for specialised surveys like rig moves, load out warranty surveys and installation/de-mobilisation.

Consultants are required for all categories of surveyor able to assist with the many facets of the shipping and offshore industry not confined to surveying. The services of consultants are required for assisting new concepts and designs. Similarly they are required to provide the benefit of their experience as an expert for casualty work and salvage while also providing services to the law profession and insurers.

An enhanced listing including logo and preferential positioning is offered on the database provided for an annual fee of £100 payable on line by PayPal.