Nick Healey, Surveying Yachts and Small Craft in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and other European locations
All yacht surveys are conducted by Nick Healey. Nick has been surveying yachts for more than twenty years, completing over 3000 surveys, and is a full member of the International Institute of Marine Surveyors.
Consultancy
Nick Healey is available for consultancy work often required during refit projects, repairs and new builds.
Pre-Purchase Surveys
General Condition Pre-Purchase Survey
General Condition pre purchase surveys are carried out to determine the condition of the vessel in detail and can also be used to satisfy insurance companies.
Pre-Purchase Structural Survey
Typically a pre-purchase structural condition survey would be carried out prior to the purchase of a vessel that is not very old and would include the following key yacht survey elements / activities.
Yacht & Boat Surveys
Insurance Surveys
It is normal for a craft to be surveyed in order for insurance companies to establish seaworthiness before they write cover. Insurance companies have been known to require a condition report on vessels as little as five years old.
Osmosis Inspections
At least twenty areas of antifouling and primers are removed to reveal the moulded gelcoat/epoxy surface. The scraped areas are then inspected for the early signs of blistering (often referred to as “wicking”). The relative moisture content will be measured using a Tramex meter to establish the moisture content. If necessary, recommendations will be given as to the best course of action.
Yacht and Boat Valuations
Often necessary to secure a yacht mortgage, insurance quotes and probate.
Ultrasonic Thickness Testing
Using a Cygnus ultrasonic thickness tester an assessment will be made as to the condition of the hull.
Yacht and Boat Sea Trials
Sea trials are undertaken to establish the vessels systems whilst under working conditions, including; through hull fittings (seacocks and stern glands), rigging, steering gear, instruments and engines.
Preliminary Inspections
Preliminary inspections can be arranged to establish whether or not the vessel is worthy of a full condition survey; particularly useful if someone is to commission a survey having not seen the boat themselves.
Steel Yachts and Boats
The hull plating will be inspected visually by hammer soundings and by Ultrasonic point residual measurements (below the waterline); plate thickness will be estimated on the basis of controlled measurements taken at points where deterioration is most likely and not likely to have taken place.
Timber / Wooden Yacht and Boat Surveys
A general inspection of the hull will be carried out above and below the waterline. In order to ascertain the extent of any distortion in the hull structure and in addition the fairness of the planking, this would give an indication of the soundness of the fastenings.
A visual inspection will be carried out for any evidence of movement and the planking will be sounded at close intervals using a rubber mallet in order to detect areas of decay. The hull planking will be inspected visually in order to establish the fairness of the planking, lingering dampness, evidence of movement and condition of the paint. Hammer soundings would also be taken in order to detect areas of decay.
Tonnage and measurement surveys
Nick Healey is authorised by the YBDSA to undertake these surveys; resulting in a Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement which is sent to the Registry of your choice and is one of the documents you need to register your vessel on Part 1 of the UK Ships Register.
Insurance Claims
If substantial damage is sustained during a yachting incident then the Owner is well advised to engage a surveyor to represent his interests. In such cases
Nick Healey examines and documents the damage and advises and oversees repairs.
Although Insurance Underwriters may also appoint a surveyor, he will be representing the interests of underwriters, which will not necessarily result in the
same outcome as the interests of the Owner would require.
Consultancy and Refit Service
Nick Healey is available for consultancy work often required during refit projects, repairs and new builds. His project management aims are to obtain the best achievable
outcome of the required finished product.
More about Consultancy and refit service here
Arranging the Survey
Nick Healey is pleased to accept a verbal instruction to carry out a survey. The terms
of payment for most surveys are payment by cheque or bank transfer within 7 days
of receiving the report.
Contact us for an appointment
If you would like to arrange a survey or simply require a quotation
then please telephone (07881 507865) or email [email protected]
The vessel should be prepared for survey in the following manner:
- The vessel should have good access and be placed on a firm surface.
- The bottom should be clean, often requiring pressure washing.
- The keys should be available for the vessel including all lockers, engine start up panel and battery isolation switches.
- Batteries should be fully charged and connected.
- Personal items and loose gear should be removed from the vessel where possible.
- Past repair and rigging receipts and past survey reports should be made available if possible.
- Sails should be available at the vessel.
Yacht Surveys are typically undertaken in the following regions
United Kingdom:
Cornwall, including: Falmouth, Penzance, St Mawes, Penryn, Mylor, Helford, Camel Estuary, Rock, Mounts Bay, Millbrook, Torpoint and Plymouth
Devon, including: Plymouth (River Tamar), Dartmouth (River Dart)
Dorset
European (Non UK):
Barcelona, France, Spain and Italy