Services

Gold Coast & Brisbane Australia

PRE-PURCHASE / INSURANCE / VALUATION GOLD COAST AND BRISBANE

Pre-Purchase

Pre-Purchase Surveys

The pre-purchase survey is the most detailed inspection as it encompasses such a wide range of areas. These include an out of water inspection, inventories, system checks and sea trials. The detailed reporting process assures that not only the potential buyer can assess the vessel condition, but also potential insurers can prepare a premium quotation before taking the vessel onto risk. Reports include inventories, photos, sea trial results and a list of defects. Systems on the vessel are noted as tested or inspected, their condition given, plus lists of both "failed items"and "recommended actions". It is imperative that the surveyor and potential buyer discuss the scope of supply and the type of tests involved. Non-invasive testing is undertaken, and the costs of the survey generally covered by the potential buyer.

Pre-Sale Owners Survey

The pre-sale survey is designed specifically for vessel owners preparing to put their boat on the market. We all understand how challenging it can be to secure a buyer, and the last thing you want is for a sale to fall through or be delayed because the buyer's surveyor discovers preventable issues. This service acts as a proactive assessment to identify critical areas that will inevitably be scrutinized during a formal pre-purchase survey prior to settlement.

Similar in scope to our pre-offer mini survey, we conduct a targeted walk-through of the vessel to ensure essential systems are fully operational. We focus heavily on critical items such as seacocks, bilge pumps, navigational equipment, and other key components that a buyer's surveyor will expect to be functioning correctly when they come aboard. By identifying these red flags beforehand, it gives you the opportunity to rectify them on your own terms. Presenting a vessel with its critical systems in good operational order inspires buyer confidence and smooths the path to a successful settlement.

Pre-Offer Mini Survey

The pre-offer mini survey is an initial walk-through of a vessel you are considering buying. This service can be conducted with or without you present, providing an objective overview before you commit significant funds. This option is frequently utilized by potential purchasers who are not located near the vessel and want an independent assessment before spending the time and money to travel. Acting as an impartial source separate from the broker or owner, we verify the vessel details, specifications, and inventory. We take current photos, document any evident defects, and report on the overall condition, categorizing it from Bristol to Restorable. Depending on the vessel's location, this service can generally be completed in just a few hours, providing you with the peace of mind to either make the trip and proceed with a formal offer or continue your search elsewhere.

Insurance Related

Insurance Risk Evaluation Survey

Has your insurance company requested an updated survey or a Condition and Valuation report before renewing your policy or accepting a new application? This is a standard requirement, particularly for vessels over a certain age or value. Your insurer needs an independent, professional assessment of the vessel's current seaworthiness, safety, and market value to determine their underwriting risk. At marine-survey.com.au, we specialize in providing insurer-ready surveys across the Gold Coast.

Why Insurers Request Surveys

Insurers require data to understand what they are covering. They look for verification of seaworthiness, safety compliance for mandatory gear like lifejackets and fire extinguishers, risk mitigation by identifying potential liabilities such as outdated wiring or fuel leaks, and accurate market valuation to ensure the vessel is insured for the correct sum.

What to Expect

An insurance survey focuses purely on risk, reporting on the vessel's insurability. The process typically involves an out-of-water inspection of the hull and underwater fittings, meaning you will need to arrange for the vessel to be slipped or hauled out. The inspection covers the hull structure, mechanical and electrical systems, safety gear, and navigation equipment. Following the inspection, you will receive a professional, digital report that will give your insurer an overview of the current condition of your vessel. If we find any critical areas, we will advise you of the necessary repairs required before submitting the report. Based on the Gold Coast, we provide the accredited and experienced surveying services that major marine insurers recognize.

Valuation Surveys

Insurance Risk Evaluation Survey

Insurance companies routinely require a Survey and Valuation both initially and periodically as a core component of their risk mitigation procedures. Depending on your specific insurer and the age of the vessel, this assessment may be conducted either in the water or out of the water. These surveys are inherently detailed, as achieving an accurate valuation requires a complete and thorough inventory of the vessel. This process captures critical data such as machinery serial numbers, equipment specifications, running hours, and model numbers. The meticulous recording of this inventory, combined with a strict assessment of the vessel's general physical condition, forms the absolute foundation of our valuation process. We use this specific data to conduct accurate market comparisons against similar vessels currently on the market to determine the true value. Valuations are typically calculated using either Asset Protection Criteria or Fair Market Value, which can differ significantly depending on the circumstances. Any defects or areas of concern are categorized in a similar fashion to a pre-purchase survey. Generally, a valuation survey is required by insurers every three to five years. Upon completion, formal valuation certificates can be issued to satisfy your insurer or financial institution's exact requirements.

Claims Assessment

Insurance Risk Evaluation Survey

Claims Assessment

Accidents unfortunately happen, which is the underlying reason for holding marine insurance. As an experienced claims assessor, Andrew Laughlin is currently actively assessing for major insurers, assisting both underwriters and vessel owners in successfully navigating the claims process. Our scope of expertise extends beyond standard vessel claims to include complex assessments involving repairers liability and marine infrastructure damage. The role of the independent marine surveyor is critical during these stressful times, encompassing everything from mitigating the initial incident to prevent further loss, to reporting clearly on the probable cause and the extent of damage incurred. We also provide ongoing support by supervising repair work and accurately assessing the final claim amount. Insurers, facility managers, and vessel owners can rest assured that every situation is handled in an impartial, caring, and responsible manner. Copies of past survey reports are available upon request, covering a wide range of incidents such as fires, total loss, groundings, passenger injuries, and mechanical failures.

non destructive testing (ndt)

Thermal Imaging

Steel and Aluminium Thickness Testing

Thermal imaging has become an indispensable tool in modern marine surveying, providing a non-destructive way to see what the naked eye cannot. At marine-survey.com.au, we utilize the FLIR E52, a high-end thermal camera that delivers exceptional thermal resolution and accuracy. The predominant use for this technology is assessing modern cored hulls and decks. In these composite structures, there is a significant risk of moisture intrusion or delamination occurring between the outer laminate and the inner core materials. High-resolution thermal imaging allows us to identify these hidden anomalies, mapping out areas of moisture ingress or structural separation before they lead to major structural failures.

While cored hulls and decks are our primary focus for this equipment, we sometimes use the thermal camera for other areas if we have doubts about a specific section of the vessel. In these instances, the FLIR E52 can be utilized for detailed electrical inspections to identify overloaded circuits, leak detection around hardware, and temperature sensing on operating marine engines to pinpoint cooling system issues.

Capturing a thermal image is only half the process; interpreting that data requires specialized, formal knowledge. Andrew Laughlin is fully trained and holds formal certification from the Infrared Training Center (ITC), ensuring that all thermal data is analyzed accurately and applied correctly to your survey report. This advanced diagnostic capability provides a profound level of confidence in the true condition of the vessel.

Steel and Aluminium Thickness Testing

For metal-hulled vessels, visual inspections can only reveal so much. To accurately determine the structural integrity of steel and aluminum, we utilize advanced ultrasonic thickness testing. Using an industry-leading Cygnus 4 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge, we can precisely measure the remaining base metal of a hull without the need for destructive testing or scraping away protective coatings. The Cygnus 4 features advanced echo technology, allowing the probe to read straight through anti-fouling and marine paint to deliver highly accurate metal measurements.

The primary objective of this testing is to quantify the degradation of the base metals over time. While the gauge measures exact thickness, this data directly correlates to the vessel's remaining structural and tensile strength. Industry and classification standards dictate that a vessel's plating must not lose more than 20% of its original thickness. Our precise assessments verify the extent of any degradation, ensuring your hull remains safely within these critical load-bearing tolerances.

This service is backed by extensive, high-level commercial marine experience. Andrew has conducted full steel assessments on massive commercial and industrial vessels, including working charter boats and oil and gas sector vessels up to 60 meters in length. Having operated extensively in Indonesia performing rigorous structural assessments on vessels underwritten by Lloyd’s Register, Andrew brings a commercial-grade level of scrutiny and expertise to every thickness survey, ensuring your vessel is structurally sound and fully fit for purpose.

Moisture Mapping and Testing

Steel and Aluminium Thickness Testing

Moisture Mapping and Testing

Moisture detection is a fundamental aspect of assessing fiberglass and composite vessels. For this critical task, we utilize the latest model of the Tramex Skipper moisture meter. This advanced, non-destructive piece of equipment features three distinct depth settings, allowing us to accurately read moisture levels at varying penetrations through the gelcoat and laminates. We primarily use these readings to identify hidden areas of elevated moisture within hulls and decks, which can be an early indicator of osmotic blistering, water ingress, or core degradation.

Interestingly, the Tramex Skipper is also highly sensitive to conductive materials like carbon fiber and Kevlar. This sensitivity provides us with a valuable secondary diagnostic function, allowing us to accurately map out exactly where these high-tech reinforcements start and finish within a vessel's internal structure.

While moisture meters are standard kit for professional marine surveyors, the technology does have inherent limitations and can occasionally produce false readings from internal condensation, bilge water, or specific anti-fouling metals. Because of this, we never rely on moisture meter readings in isolation. We always use this data in conjunction with rigorous visual inspections and traditional percussion sounding to verify the true structural condition of the fiberglass.

Additionally, this testing is essential for vessels undergoing major osmosis repairs. When a hull has been peeled or is being dried out on the hardstand, we use the moisture meter to routinely monitor the drying process. This ensures the underlying laminates have reached the strictly required, perfectly dry levels before any new epoxy barrier coats or bottom paint systems are applied.