Sea Trials

This maybe contrary to what the broker has told you but sea trials are a necessity to my inspection and survey. I inspected the engine and rig while at the dock, probably checked for any carbon monoxide leak and checked decibel levels while running at the dock, and visually checked the shrouds, stays, sail controls and chain plates, etc., and everything may have looked great.

The sea trial is necessary to make sure all this stuff functions under way. How can I check idling in gear, cruising, maximum RPM, and top speed by engine for the vessel without a sea trial? How do I check for any mast conditions, mast or hull movement, chain plate integrity, shroud or stay problems, boom and sail controls, or sail condition when not under sail? What about backing down or hard over turns in both sail and power vessels?

My sea trials usually take 1 to 1½ hours and I like to do them after the haul-out during a pre-purchase survey (to avoid being towed back) and included in the cost of the survey. Some low power engine, transmission, and rudder tests are done in the harbor with the balance of tests at sea. Sail vessels do an exercise through different points of sail. Back at the dock, I recheck some of those onboard systems now that we have had them perform.

All sea trials are limited by weather and sea conditions and I don’t deploy every sail you have onboard, for that and other extensive inspections while under way, I charge you by the hour. This “limited” sea trial can give us valuable information on the function of those systems in real operation. I can’t get that information any other way and that information is vital.

Damage, Thermal Imaging, Corrosion, and System Surveys are charge by an hourly rate of $80.00 per hour, also my consultant fee. Contact me before the survey and I will suggest how you can “set-up” for these and that will reduce the costs.

Engine and Rigging Analysis are charged by horsepower size of the engine, or type and size of the rig, and the extent of the inspection. Contact me before the survey and I will suggest how you can “set-up” for these and that will reduce the costs.

There maybe (but not always) additional charges for off Oahu work, plus the client is responsible for costs and scheduling of haul-outs and boat drivers.  I can arrange those functions if you are absent, just let me know.  (Note: boat drivers allow the surveyor to be in the engine room, or down in the bilge, or even up the mast during sea trials).

Time

The physical and instrument inspection of a 40 foot monohull including the haul-out and sea trial can take all day, and larger vessels can take longer. I usually start at 0730 and it takes time to open all the lockers, drawers, floor boards etc. and look at bulkhead tabbing, stringers, hull to deck joint, bilges, etc., then inspect every system, tanks, engines, rig, steering, etc., and I move fairly quickly! So if you just got a 3 hour survey just what was not inspected? 

As a note, I have surveyed lots of boats that were out cruising for awhile. Opening a locker or looking under a settee for a tank or thru-hull fitting and finding 80 lbs. of extra gear precludes me from seeing that item and inspecting that area. For a variety of reasons I do not empty that storage space. One, because that could turn an 8 hour survey into a 16 hour survey, another is that I would now be responsible for every item in that box I handled! That spare fuel pump, belt, dive mask, shirt, beer stein, marlin lure, invention, keepsake, or priceless antiquities, was damaged by the surveyor???  Talk to your broker, maybe the both of you can empty those always strategic areas.

 Damage Surveys can consume time, but I only charge for time on site and do not charge for the final inspection and sea trial, even if it’s weeks later!  So, include me in your schedule early, I will contact all parties and ensure we do not waste your money.

Yes, I would hope you are looking over my shoulder as I survey the vessel and yes I spend as much time with you as needed when reviewing the report, that's included in the quote.

Reports 

All reports assembled to the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors format recommendations and I embed color photos, with CO and Decibel testing results. Surveys are conducted to mandated regulations of the U.S. Coast Guard, CFR 33 and 46, National Fire Protection Association 302, Quincy MA., the American Boat and Yacht Council Standards for boat builders, MD and the Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal Practice in the valuation section. 

My reports are not vague survey "check-off lists", but in-depth documents that will be useful for as long as you own the vessel. The client is provided with one bound hard copy, in pdf format, and the report on CD with a copy of all photos taken. This report is the sole property of the client and this surveyor will not release all or any part without the permission of the client.

For information on standards for United Kingdom vessels see the MCA (Maritime Coastguard Association) standards and requirements at..

http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-survey___certification/mcga-dqs_st_cvs_code_vessel_safety/mcga-dqs-cvs-pleasure_craft_info_pack.htm

Canadian vessels, see Canada Transport at.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/equipment.htm

And you can check out this site for Australia and New Zealand (gotta watch Australia, each state has a little bit different standard-New South Wales differs from the Northern Territories, etc.)

http://www.safeboating.org.au/Equipment/State_Safety_Equipment/index.asp

Last, but not least by any means, is the International Standards Origanization. This group of countries and their representatives and internal organizations are developing global standards for just about everything. This section is for small craft and as you will see not cheap when you look at the number of standards and the cost per standard!

http://www.iso.org/iso/search.htm?qt=small+craft&searchSubmit=Search&sort=rel&type=simple&published=true

 Contact me at,

Phone: 808-375-8260

EMail: Bob@BoatSurveysHawaii.com

Robert J. "Bob" Dupuis

Marine Surveyor/Consultant