How to select a Yacht Surveyor
There are many people advertising themselves as Boat, Yacht or Marine surveyors. There is no legal requirement for qualifications or membership of governing bodies. You would think there should be!
Recommendations from past clients or friends are always a good starting point.
For reassurance you should look for membership of a regulatory body like YDSA, IIMS as they monitor and maintain the standards of the surveys and reports, they also can provide redress if there is cause for complaint.
Check that your chosen yacht surveyor has Professional indemnity and Public Liability insurance and carefully look at their terms and conditions.
Choose a surveyor that explains your boat to you in plain English so you can react appropriately, and one that gives clear recommendations and advice. Recommendations are items that must be fixed in a given time scale for safety or insurability. Anything else is just advice.
When you are selecting your yacht surveyor, you should:
1. Ask what practical training and experience they have
2. Receive a scope of work to be carried out
3. Ask what regulating body they are part of
4. Agree to review their insurance certificate if you wish to contract them
5. Finally ask for a sample of their previous work
