Marine Surveying

R. Craig Starns A.C.M.S. CERTIFIED MARINE SURVEYOR MIIMS

• Independent marine surveyor for over 20 years specialized in yachts and small craft marine surveying.
• Full member International Institute of Marine Surveying MIIMS.
• Certified by the Association of Certified Marine Surveyors.
• Member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.
• Starns holds a certificate in commercial hull surveying from the State University System of New York Maritime College.
• Member of the Boat U.S. Technical information Exchange for Marine Professionals.
• ABYC marine systems and electrical certified.
• Listed on Boat U. S. marine surveyor referral list.

Scope of Survey Services Performed

Experienced with wood, fiberglass and composites, steel, aluminum, and ferro cement hull materials.

Condition & Valuation "C&V"

This type of survey is usually conducted to describe the vessel, determine its overall condition, its fair market and replacement values (we use our BUC Value Pro membership in this process). Vessel details, findings, and recommendations are included in the report with the valuations. These types of surveys are usually ordered for marine insurance (risk assessment) and/or loan underwriting (appraisal) purposes. The vessel may be surveyed afloat and/or hauled out as required by the party ordering the survey. This type of survey does not usually include a sea trial.

Pre-purchase

This type of survey is usually ordered by a prospective purchaser of the vessel. It is much the same as the C&V survey but more attention is given to details that would impact the desirability of the vessel for a purchaser's needs. A sea trail and haulout is almost always conducted. On a vessel of any magnitude a concurrent machinery survey of the engine(s) and generator(s) is usually conducted by a machinery (engine) surveyor qualified on the type of machinery on board.

Pre-market

This type of survey is the same as the pre-purchase survey except it is ordered by the seller of the vessel in advance of placing the vessel on the market in order to determine a reasonable asking price and find any defects that a pre-purchase surveyor working for the buyer might find.

Loading/Stow/Unloading

This type of survey is conducted to document the condition of a vessel before and after being loaded or unloaded as ocean cargo or on overland transport for shipment. The loading portion covers the placement of the vessel in the stowage position. The stow portion covers the suitability of the stowage position, cradles, and lashings for the intended trip.This type of survey can be ordered by the underwriters insuring the shipment, the owners of the vessel, the shipping/transport firm, or all three of the above.

Starns holds a certificate in applied crane rigging practices from CraneTech.

Starns holds a certificate in securing non-standardized cargo in accordance with Annex 13 of the IMO code of Safe Practice for Cargo and Securing from the National Cargo Bureau, Inc..

Cargo Containers

We inspect cargo containers to 46 CFR and U.C.I.R.C. criteria in affiliation with World Wide Shipping Container Surveys .

Damage

This type of survey is conducted to determine the cause and extent of damage to a vessel, specify repairs necessary, and estimate the repair costs. This type of survey can be ordered by the owner's of the vessel, the insurance underwriters for the vessel, the insurance underwriters for involved other vessels, local authorities, attorneys, and marine classification societies. The process may include management of the salvage and repair of the vessel and auditing of the disbursement of repair payments. Starns is a Florida State licensed independent insurance adjuster.

Corrosion

This type of survey is usually conducted to determine the galvanic corrosion status of a vessel or marina, determine any damage done, and recommend means to reduce the corrosion. This type of survey can be ordered by vessel owners, insurance underwriters, vessel builders, marina operators, and others.

Suitability for Voyage

This type of survey is conducted to determine the suitability of a vessel, her crew, outfit, and voyage plan for a voyage that is outside of her normal navigational limits and may pose an additional marine risk. This type of survey is usually ordered by the insurance underwriters for the vessel but may be ordered by her owner's as well.

On/Off Charter

This type of survey is basically like a C&V survey that is conducted prior to a vessel going on charter and after a vessel is off charter. This survey would be ordered by any parties to the charter agreement who may have an interest in resolving a dispute of the condition of the vessel either before or after the charter period.

Status of Compliance with Recommendations

This type of survey is usually ordered by the insurance underwriter for the vessel or the vessel's owners or purchaser to document the status of compliance with recommendations from a previous survey.

Status of Compliance with Specifications

This type of survey is usually ordered by the owner of a vessel being repaired, the purchaser of a vessel in newbuilding, or the lending institution financing a newbuild to document the status of compliance with the contracted specifications for the newbuild or repair.

Port Risk

This type of survey is conducted to determine the risk status of a vessel confined to her berth in port only (precluding navigation). The survey evaluates the mooring location and arrangement (piers, bollards, lines, natural hazards, etc.) condition of bilge pumps and hull closures,seasonal forecast, proximity to domestic fire control, and land side pumping facilities etc. that may become required to protect the vessel from peril. This type of survey is usually ordered by the vessel's insurance underwriters.