What to check
- Relevant experience with yachts of your size, type and construction
- Independence from the seller, broker and yard
- Membership or accreditation with bodies such as SAMS, NAMS or IIMS where relevant to your market
- Professional indemnity insurance where applicable
- A sample report you can review before appointing
- Engine and machinery experience, or a named specialist they work with
- Rigging experience for sailing yachts and multihulls
- Availability for your survey window and haul-out slot
- Report turnaround time in writing
No single certification is universally required. Requirements and recognition differ between countries and insurers, so verify what matters for your vessel and market.
Questions worth asking
- How many vessels of this type have you surveyed recently?
- What is included, and what would be an additional charge?
- Will you attend the sea trial and the haul-out?
- How do you handle findings that need specialist follow-up?
- When will I receive the report?