Pre-Purchase Condition Survey, Inspection

Pre-Purchase Condition Survey, Inspection
Pre-Purchase Condition Survey, Inspection is the most comprehensive type of inspection, and is strongly advised when purchasing a new or used vessel/ship. Condition and overall operation of vessel should be examined. This includes such items structural integrity and of out water inspection, sea trial, electrical systems, propulsion systems, fuel systems, machineries, navigation, miscellaneous onboard systems, cosmetic appearance, electronics, and overall maintenance.
PRE-PURCHASE SURVEY - CONDITION SURVEY
To provide the needed information regards on/off hire contract negotiation, financing projects, chartering or change of owner. The service could be requested including our Ultrasonic Thickness Test

The survey will include a visual inspection and usually we cover the following:

Section 1 Summary of survey and condition of vessel
Section 2 Publications and Statutory Certificates
Section 3 Management, Records and Manning
Section 4 Ship structure: External hull and superstructure, anchors, chains, windlass,
Ballast tanks, Deck equipment.
Section 5 Hatch covers, Derricks & Cranes and Holds, Cargo equipment
Section 6 Engine room, Machinery and Bunkering, Bilges, running hours if the main and auxiliary engines
Section 7 Bridge and Navigation
Section 8 Communications, antennas
Section 9 Life Saving Apparatus /Fire Fighting Equipment
Section 10 General items, crew accommodation spaces
Section 11 ISM Items, ISPS Code items, Ship and machinery log books
Section 12 Defect list and Condition Statement
Section 13 Annexes: Ship's plans, Deflection reports, Spares reports,
last cargo voyages, etc.
Section 14 Pictures
In order to establish the current status regards with present international standards, all Statutory documents will be examined and will be included in the final report.
A pre-purchase survey is an in-depth, through evaluation of all the vessel’s systems. When conditions permit, the inspection includes operational testing of all equipment. The vessel must be hauled out of the water for hull inspection. A sea trial is also highly recommended and is generally included in the cost of the survey when conditions permit and the sea trial is conducted on the same day as the inspection. Other inspections include rigging, machinery and electrical systems. Given today’s complicated vessel system, specialists should be consulted when circumstances dictate such as with large diesel powered machinery and complicated electronic systems.

A Pre-purchase Survey report is designed to assist you in post survey negotiations, scheduling required repairs, completing routine and preventive maintenance as well as making decisions for upgrades in the near and distant future.

A pre-purchase survey is a systematic, thorough, and operational evaluation of all the vessel's structure, systems and equipment that includes:

Hull, deck, & structure
Moisture analysis

Machinery installations
Running gear and keel

Fuel systems
Sea trials

Exhaust systems
Operational test of systems

Electrical systems
Rigging

USCG-mandated safety gear
Value
Value Limitations - An opinion, based on the surveyor's experience and research of available market information, as to the approximate fair market value and replacement cost of the vessel.

Preparing the vessel for survey is the owner's responsibility. Specifically, he or she should take any action necessary to ensure reasonable access to the vessel's systems (steering, machinery, sea valves, batteries, fuel tanks, etc.). This may require temporary relocation of loose or heavy gear stowed in cockpit lockers (sails, anchors, inflatable boats, cleaning and maintenance products, canvas, etc.). On some vessels, access to the machinery spaces may be limited by carpet or heavy furniture which must be moved. If the vessel's owner lives aboard or if the vessel is excessively cluttered, the surveyor will not move personal effects to gain required access. Preparations should include ensuring both AD and DC power is availability (as applicable) during operational testing. All equipment and electronics that are to convey with the sale of the vessel should be available and properly installed. All equipment that is not to convey with the sale should be removed or clearly labeled. Bilge's should be as dry as possible. Failure to make these provisions might force the surveyor to bypass inspection of a critical system or component, or the purchaser may incur additional expense if the surveyor must revisit the vessel to complete inspection.

Surveys are conducted year-round. However, severe weather conditions limit our effectiveness. The inspection schedule may need to be adjusted due to high winds, rain, snow, ice, or temperature extremes which interfere with our normal field testing and inspection methods. The personal safety of the surveyor and survey attendees is also considered.
Prior to the survey, prospective purchasers are advised to request full disclosures from the seller to include, but not be limited to: records of maintenance and repairs, engine logs, damage experience, manuals, title status, documentation papers, etc. It is also advised that you get agreement and understanding about responsibilities from the owner or the broker agent to minimize the chance of problems or misunderstandings. If the vessel cannot be adequately prepared for survey, we should be notified so assistance can be employed. Costs associated with employing a surveyor's assistant will be passed along to you. A surcharge may also apply in the event of an extremely dirty or cluttered vessel.
Given the complicated systems, machinery, and method of construction of vessels, it is highly probable that some defects may not be detected due to the inability to inspect some portions of the vessel and machinery. To minimize this potential, the surveyor will endeavor to exercise his or her best judgment and to follow accepted professional standards and practice in the performance of the survey. The surveyor may recommend other specialists be consulted when circumstances dictate in order to protect the prospective purchaser's best interest.
Payment for survey services is due at the time of survey and must be received in full prior to transmittal of the survey report. Survey reports are normally forwarded, via regular mail, within five working days or less depending on workload. A single copy will be sent via Fax upon request.
Our reports are highly detailed and provide a clearly articulated impression of the condition of the vessel, recommendations for necessary repairs, and an opinion as to the approximate current market value and replacement cost. Photographs may be used to qualify observations. Each vessel is given thoughtful consideration of survey observations and the research necessary to support recommendations and valuation opinions.
ON / OFF HIRE CONDITION (Operational Surveys)
Visual inspection of vessel holds, main deck and cargo working areas are performed to identify any damage present prior to the vessel going on /of hire. This survey is carried out by our staff and after the completion we issue an attestation certificate; Draught survey; lashing and securing survey.
FLAG STATE SURVEYS
Under the provisions of the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea request that every Maritime Administration shall effectively exercise its juridiction and control in administrative. surveyors has been appointed by several flag state as Liberia, Marshall Islands, Malta, Vanuatu, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, Belize, Cook Islands
REGISTRAR OF SHIPPING
AIM Control has signed an special agreement with Shipping Register organizations in order to offer to our customers a consultancy service on registration of ships and fishing advisory.
AIM Control Marine Survey to report on recognized condition by every insurance company and marine lending, ship’s owners, institution worldwide.