An expert insight into marine surveys with Dean Kennedy
Knowing the exact condition of a boat can be handy, and there’s no better way to quickly investigate your boat than with a marine survey. With that in mind, we sat down with Dean Kennedy from Marine Survey New Zealand to look at what boaties should expect from a survey - and what they need to do to prepare.
Meet Dean Kennedy from Marine Survey New Zealand
Dean has decades of experience in the marine industry, from building boats and fixing superyachts to racing yachts professionally. In 2007 he started a career in marine surveying. Now he works all over the world, from Auckland to Nelson, Brisbane, Fiji and beyond:
“We operate in the pleasure craft market. Pre-purchase, condition surveys, owners that want to know the state of their boat, insurance surveys for companies like Mariner Insurance …”
How can I prepare my boat for a survey?
There’s not much you need to do to prepare your vessel for a survey, but Dean explains that just like everyone, marine surveyors prefer to work in a safe and sanitary environment:
“So I guess first and foremost, the boat should be clean and tidy, clutter free … As long as the surveyor has easy access, it makes his or her job so much better, so much quicker and a nice clean environment is good for everyone, right?”
He says while most boat owners are very considerate, he’s seen some stuff on board boats that you wouldn’t believe!
“So that’s why I say, you know a surveyor is going to go through your boat. We’re going to open drawers because we want to see what’s behind there. If you’re leaving stuff on display, then you know I'm going to see it. We are very discreet. I would never tell anyone ... I am not naming names here! Just make sure there’s nothing there that’s going to embarrass you or is illegal.”
What does a marine survey include?
Your average marine survey goes from bow to stern, from top to bottom:
“So we’re looking at structure mainly, that’s the big thing. Making sure all your bulkheads, scantlings, longitudinals, stringers and frames are ok. Along the way, we’re looking at your skin or your ball valves, your seacocks, your plumbing systems, your black water systems.”
A good marine survey should include a check of almost everything on board the vessel, including but not limited to:
- Checking fixtures and fittings.
- Percussion testing surfaces with a selection of hammers.
- Having a poke around the bilges with a bilge spike.
- Checking moisture levels with a moisture metre.
“The only thing on the inside of the boat, we don’t look at is the engineering stuff. So you’d need to get a specialist diesel or petrol mechanic to look at that. And I do recommend an electrical survey as well, depending on the size of the boat and your budget,” Dean said.
If you have to get a survey for insurance or when buying a new boat it can also form the base of a maintenance plan. You’ll know exactly what needs to be fixed this year, and next and the year after, which can make life as a boat owner much easier.
Dean adds that usually surveys find the same problems:
“It's the simple stuff, right? Navigation lights not working. Or maybe two work and one doesn’t. Bilge pumps, an alarm not working or a float switch not working …The flares are out of date. Yeah, there might be an old life jacket that’s kaput.”
What should I look for in a surveyor?
You put a lot of effort and expense into buying, repairing and maintaining your boat so it’s only fair that you should take your time when choosing a surveyor. Dean reckons it's perfectly reasonable to ask, ‘What are your qualifications?’
“I’ve got all my skippers tickets for unlimited offshore, I’ve done 180,000 nautical miles at sea, I’m a boat builder and I have a diploma in marine surveying. And I’m a member of the International Institute of Marine Surveyors, which is the IIMS,” Dean said.
It’s also important to check that your surveyor has professional indemnity and public liability insurance too, as they can’t even step onto a shipyard without these:
“100 percent people should be asking - what are your qualifications and your experience for this? Because there are people out there that will produce stuff for you who are unqualified.”
Get in touch with Dean at Marine Survey New Zealand
Mariner Insurance has worked with Dean at Marine Survey New Zealand for many years and highly recommend his services. If you need a qualified, experienced marine surveyor anywhere in New Zealand and the South Pacific you can find him at marinesurveynewzealand.com.