Marine Surveyor

A Marine Surveyor is a person who conducts inspections, surveys or examinations of marine vessels to assess, monitor and report on their condition and the products one them. Marine Surveyors also inspect equipment intended for new or existing vessels to ensure compliance with various standards or specifications. Marine surveys typically include the structure, machinery and equipment (navigational, safety, radio, etc.) and general condition of a vessel. It also includes judging materials on board and their condition

Marine Surveying has a noble history that goes back hundreds if not thousands of years. As long as there have been boats there have been people who specialized in inspecting them for quality and safety and recommending repairs. Over the past few hundred years, as ships and shipping technology began to evolve as a major source of transportation and commerce, Marine Surveying has emerged as a well-defined profession with its own principles, practices, societies and ethics codes.

Marine Surveying is often closely associated with marine insurance, as insurers generally lack the training and skills required to perform a detailed assessment of the condition of a vessel. While Marine Surveyors are sometimes employed by insurers directly they maintain a certain professional autonomy in order to provide an unbiased view. Independent Marine Surveyors are often employed by the clients of marine insurers to provide evidence in support of damage claims made against the insurer. Insurance companies cannot require customers to use specific Marine Surveyors (although they often provide a list of recommended or pre-approved Marine Surveyors who are known to them).

Marine Surveyors use many credentials, letters, and terms such as "Accredited", "Certified", "Qualifed", "AMS", "CMS", and so on. However, Marine Surveyors pursue their profession independently of required organizations, and there is currently no national or international licensing requirement for Marine Surveyors. The U.S. Coast Guard does not approve or certify Marine Surveyors. All association terms and initials represent training and certification by private organizations

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