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NAVTECH NEWS

December 1, 2009

Need a surveyor? Check the membership roster for your state. Click on the Boat Buying Guide....and yes, we have a boat inspection short form checklist that you can simply email and ask us for and we will send as an attachment. Note: For our complete surveyor comprehensive marine surveyor forms and for our standard ethics checklist, you must be a full active member. Those forms are available only on the Members Only section of the website.

July 4, 2009

Type of Survey	Types of Surveys for Modern Surveying of Craft
Condition survey	The most common form of survey when buying a secondhand boat, which should cover all aspects of the boats condition. It should also include an out of water assessment of the hull condition along with detailed assessments of metal thickness, etc. A full written report is provided on completion and will generally include an estimated market value as part of the valuation survey. This survey should also include an engine or mechanical survey.
External hull survey	It is becoming increasingly common for insurance companies, and some finance companies to request this survey. It is less onerous than a full condition survey and is often used for intermittent insurance updates or quick sales/appraisals--buyer beware.
Valuation survey	Again, far less cumbersome than a full condition survey, but which will provide a guide to the current market value. Be careful if you use this as your only basis for purchase as it will not include an out of water survey, or cover major components or systems in detail, but probably better than nothing asking a friend or mechanic for advice. Ideally the valuation survey should form part of your condition survey.
Damage survey	As the name suggests, only carried out after an accident, Act of God, sinking, piracy or sometimes used in mediation disputes with insurance companies to arrive at a second opinion.
Tonnage survey	This is generally required if you are applying for a marine mortgage, loan, sponsorship or for registration/restrictions under foreign registry. Repossesion/Default Survey: This Survey is for institutions and lien holders requesting present condition and could incorporate all of above.

February 15, 2009

Surveyor Secrets*

The following checklist is gleaned from a combined 523 years of experience from our best surveyors. Don’t be surprised by the fact that your survey said “sound and seaworthy” (sic) and then the boat didn’t perform well on the water.

Indicators of Previous Sinking: Mud, dirt, sand in tight spaces and bilges. Check spaces where decks join hull and hidden bulkheads. Always review boat’s history.

Fire Damage Indicators: Use destructive testing, ultra sounding. Check fiberglass core .

Bad wiring, fire in wiring, sinkage damaged wiring: Corroded wires throughout. Burnt ends. Hastily reapplied ends. Look at all terminals in panels and wire ends.

Excessive mold and mildew: Sinkage, partially sunk, not cared for. Long term storage.

Cracks in hull: Critical areas of the hull that present are beneath engine stringers, at bow, encircling rudder, post or shaft. (Trivial gel coat cracking should be indicated as well).

Engine: Look for excessive rust. Remove oil filler. Inspect as far as you can see to and past rocker arms. Dirty? Rusty? Sludge buildup? Have a mirror affixed to a long wand to look under, behind the engine, for rust, oil leaks etc. Always recommend an engine survey.

Wet hulls: A moisture meter by itself does not indicate a wet hull. And a dry hull can be just as deceptive. Know the boat’s history.

Blisters: Many good used boats will have some blistering. Some boats had factory recalls especially during the late 1980’s. Check the USCG website for factory recalls for the past 25 years. Some great boats will have some blistering problems that can be readily fixed with time and money. Use your inspection judgment.

Fuel Tanks: See engine above and use a wand mirror to check as far as possible over under and around tanks. Iron fuel tanks are common in older boats. Check for water under tanks. Use a clean rag and wipe all over the tank, under and around the bilge, AND ESPECIALLY THE CORNERS. If you see fuel or oil on the rag, caution the boat owner or buyer to have the tank lifted for further inspection or possible replacement. Fiberglass tanks? Use the same due diligence because of the ethanol creep with fiberglass.

Deck and topside: When water enters the sandwich through screw or bolt holes or flaws, serious problems arise. Check for discolored paneling, flooring, painting. Port holes, hatches, doors, gangways with water stains or filtering may indicate past problems.

Superstructure coring: Check for coring and fiberglass thickness using a thickness gage. Older boats will have weaker coring but the amount of fiberglass repair can often compensate.

November 27, 2006

At Navtech US Surveyors, we have helped the professional expert for over 20 years. In fact, we are the one true source for continuing education expertise. What would be your professional answers to the following definitions and how can Navtech USSA help you?

Are You An Expert?
"an expert is a person who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field..." Physicist Niels Bohr

You are considered an expert by others. The title marine surveyor shows the public you have the desired knowledge to be a professional authority. Researchers (Cortada, 2001) define an expert by the following criteria:

One who has much training in and knowledge of a particular subject.
Experts are very familiar with a large number of facts about a subject, but more importantly knows where to get more facts in a timely fashion.
Experts know how to stay current and apply current knowledge on the subject. Experts read the current journals, important books, and consult in a collegial fashion with other experts.
Experts know and recognize other experts in their fields.
Experts are recognized as experts because they practice their body of expertise regularly.
Experts usually make a living applying their subject knowledge.
Experts add to, expand, and help define the scope of their field of knowledge.
Experts gain recognition by winning awards in their profession.
Finally, an expert has learned by trial and error and has made many mistakes.

Have a Great 2007.

November 22, 2006

We celebrate 20 years of training marine surveyors in 2007. Thank you for your continued support. We appreciate that you have joined us in our quest for improving the marine industry both personally and in your business. Our members have now performed surveys for more than an estimated one million boating customers internationally, for banks, underwriters and personal clients.

We have trained more than 70% of working surveyors in all organizations and membership societies, with at least one of our courses or course programs. Our surveyors run the marine spectrum and perform inspection reports for recreational, charter, large commercial and fishing vessels. In the past year we have added our Marine Surveyors Guide to Pollution Control. Please note, the price of the Library Package will rise to $1595 on January 1, 2007. If you are thinking of ordering, please order before January 1 to save money. Special thanks to our webmaster Lori Brooks who is always ready for your interactive needs. We look forward to serving you for the next twenty years as well.

Update for 2006

Navtech US Surveyors continues to grow. The marine surveying business has become increasingly important as hurricanes and natural disasters affect the boating business. We also have students and members serving in war zones who are able to use their inspection knowledge in evaluating repair and refitting of boats during rebuilding. We have added a 6th course: The Marine Surveyor's Guide to Pollution Control and Inspection. It can be purchased separately or this course is included with the Library Package as well. There are no price increases for 2006. Please call us if you would like to discuss our courses, enrollment, or need help determing the best course for your business needs.

Update for 2004

We have many new services for our students and members! Contact headquarters for all the details on our new courses and services and free reprints!

US Surveyors beats all competitors hands down in training, networking, member support and ethical business practices. US Surveyors stands by its Code of Ethics and its members and stays above underhanded, unethical, and conflict of interest business practices.

A Fourth of July Message

Navtech US Surveyors wishes the boating public a safe and patriotic 4th of July 2002. Please boat responsibly. Watch for factors and combinations of factors which can affect boating operation and boat damage: alcohol, overloading, weather, timing and distance from land. Please have a safe vessel inspection check by your local Power Squadron or USCG Auxiliary and in extreme cases, make sure if you need a surveyor, don't hesitate to call one.

Boat Smart and Boat Safe

The summer boating season is well underway. Some of you are busier than ever helping re-launch used boats, transfer them, appraise them for insurance renewals. Some of you are still finishing up coursework that you began in the cold, dark winter months and many of you will use the summer to begin your coursework and get an apprentice business season under your tool-belts. Since summer is also the time of year when most boating accidents occur, we ask that you remember over Memorial Day...with Safe Boating Week...and especially over the 4th of July and Labor Day....please Boat Smart and Boat Safe. This is also a good time to review your very own personal boating safety practices as you go about your business. Spend some time re-reading the courses, reviewing the material, and fine-tuning your paperwork. In the Members Only section, members will find information about fine-tuning their wording and warranty clauses. Headquarters will be open throughout the summer season. Faxing to us is best in the early morning hours. We will be glad to send Safe Boating Flyers to those visiting us here at the website. SEND A SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE TO HEADQUARTERS at 13430 McGregor Blvd. Ft. Myers, Florida 33919.

Most of all...relax, enjoy the warmth and sunshine and feel blessed that we are able to work and play at what we all enjoy most.

Give thanks to whatever or whoever you believe your Creator to be....

Accredited? Certified? Know Your Surveyors Credentials!

Don't be fooled by misleading titles, letters and organizations claiming to be "the only approved" one. There are many of these so-called approving/membership/accredited/certified organizations. US Surveyors Association members are Master Marine Surveyors who have passed extensive coursework based on need for their own business acumen.

* Accreditations by nationally recognized coursework from Navtech Marine Surveyor School.

*Certifications with membership number are issued by US Surveyors Association. Check your surveyor references or ask any other surveying related questions by calling 1-800-245-4425.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Marine Surveys
(This article was written for Houseboating World magazine)

So, you have decided either to buy your first houseboat or have decided to upgrade to larger boat and either your bank or insurance company has said the magic words “Marine Survey”. In this article I will attempt to dispel some of the myths and fairy tales that you have heard or possibly will hear regarding this subject.

To begin with many banks, financial institutions and insurance company’s want a survey performed by an “accredited” marine surveyor. Some “first time” boat owners want a marine survey performed because they realize that they are new to boating and want a professional opinion.

What is an “Accredited” Marine Surveyor ?

A Marine Surveyor is a person who by virtue of their experience or training is considered a subject matter expert in the field of boat or seagoing vessel inspections and appraisals. There is no official singular or governmental organization that certifies, registers or qualifies Marine Surveyors.. Anyone who tells you that they are a U.S Coast Guard Certified Marine Surveyor will be telling you a fairy tale. The US Coast Guard does not and never has approved or certified Marine Surveyors.

Many Marine Surveyors are “accredited” by the professional organizations that they belong to. Most of these organizations set stringent professional expectations of their membership and in some cases will bestow qualification titles such as “certified”, “accredited” or “registered” upon the members. Regardless of what you hear or are told there is no one organization that is any better than the other. There are typically three major national organizations that Marine Surveyors belong to or are members of. All three have very rigid membership requirements and all three are very good at promoting professionalism within their ranks. Most Marine Surveyors are members of at least one of these and some may be members of two or more . These organizations are as follows:

National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS)
http://www.nams-cms.com/

U. S Surveyors Association (USSA)
http://www.navsurvey.com/

Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS)
http://www.marinesurvey.org/

Types of Surveys:

There are several different reasons to have a marine survey performed. These typically are:

Pre-Purchase : where you the perspective owner, hire a marine surveyor to conduct a survey and tell you the general condition and value of the vessel.

Insurance Survey : where the insurance company wants information and inspection on the vessel to determine if it’s an acceptable insurance risk.

Appraisal Survey: where the bank, financial institution or legal entity wants information and appraisal to determine the condition and fair market value of the vessel.

Damage Survey: where the insurance company or claimant wants to determine or estimate the costs and extent of damage or repairs and in some cases determine the probable cause of the damage.

Surveyor Qualifications:

Many Marine Surveyors are self employed or may work as contactors for companies associated with the marine industry. Regardless of the employment or affiliation the surveyor should be qualified to do the job at hand. Length of time in the business is not always indicative of a qualified or good marine surveyor. A good rule of thumb is to find one who has been in the business at least two to five years.

Do not be afraid to ask for a copy of the surveyor’s resume or qualifications and references before hiring the surveyor…after all your probably going to take a leap of faith dependant upon this persons ability and skill. The end result could be as painful as hiring a bad dentist !

Choosing a Surveyor:

Your insurance underwriter or financial institution can not require you to use a certain surveyor or a surveyor who is a member of a particular organization. This would be classified as a restriction in trade or blackballing. The decision to hire a particular surveyor is yours and yours alone. If you’re paying for the survey then it’s your choice. Certain organizations keep a “vanity” list of approved surveyors in which the surveyor has paid to be included on the list. You should be aware that inclusion on this list does not guarantee the surveyors qualifications. You should be suspicious of anyone who is selling you a boat and insists you use their surveyor. This action reeks of a conflict of interest !

A good marine surveyor should be:

independently qualified
a member of a professional survey organization
use the latest information, tools and technology
conduct the survey and issue reports based upon ABYC “American Boat and Yacht Council”, NFPA “National Fire Protection Association” and US Coast Guard safety and inspection guidelines and standards.

Last but not least you need to understand that the surveyor works for who ever is paying the bill. That is why it is particularly important to select one that you are comfortable with. If you’re still feeling a little uneasy about choosing and hiring a surveyor try asking around the marina. My experience has been that other boaters are always willing to help steer you off the rocks !

Bill Burke, USSA, Master Marine Surveyor
info@northwood-marine.com