Why use accredited marine surveyors?
Choosing a marine surveyor can be a long and difficult process, especially if this is your first boat or don’t know anything about the regulations your vessel must adhere to. The industry is unregulated, which essentially means that anyone can set up shop and call themselves a surveyor. We often see clients who have used such surveyors, only to find their work inaccurate, sub standard and in some cases; downright wrong.
This is dangerous for any yacht owner and can lead to serious problems down the line. It’s important you take care when choosing a surveyor to ensure that your expectations are met and the service is credible.
So, how so you avoid these surveyors?
While there are no official regulators in place, there are a number of internationally recognised organisations that represent marine surveyors. Two of the biggest are the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) and The Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) – both of which have high standards to ensure that members deliver a suitable level of service.
All surveyors are vetted before they can join either of these organisations and to keep their membership both organisations have systems which ensure continuous professional development. Any legitimate practicing surveyor would therefore be expected to be a member of some form of surveying organisation.
When choosing your marine surveyor, it will be important to check their credentials and see if they are part of organisation like those above. This is a key method to ensure that you are picking the right surveyor who will deliver the right level of service.
However, don’t fall for logos on a website. Many surveyors will still place these on their sites without being a member (either they never were, or maybe their membership has expired). Most organisation sites will have a membership directory; so it’s well worth going the extra mile to ensure you chosen surveyor is still accredited – it will save you money in the long run!
Accredited organisations to look out for
Below we’ve picked some accreditation bodies to look out for when looking for your marine surveyor:
- IIMS (International Institute of Marine Surveyors)
- YDSA (Yacht Brokers, Designers & Surveyors Association)
- MECAL
- RYA (Royal Yachting Association)
These are all highly respected organisations that have a rigorous approval process; specifically designed to ensure that only credible, experienced and trustworthy marine surveyors are accepted.
BMS Marine Surveyors
We are fully accredited will all of the above organisations and can provide a full and comprehensive marine surveying service for any of your vessels. Please contact us today and we’ll be more than happy to help you and discuss your requirements in detail