This form is a boarding agreement to provide your information and authorization for us to proceed with the inspection.
Terms and Conditions
DHG Marine Survey and Appraisals assigns David Graham, Surveyor, so designated by the American Boat & Council (ABYC), to perform the survey on the vessel; The above named client, if not the owner of the subject vessel, represents and warrants that he/she/they has/have obtained specific authorization from the legal owner of the vessel for the survey to be carried out;
It is understood that no portion of the vessel will be examined that requires removal of structures, parts or equipment. No engines or machinery will be disassembled for evaluation. No test borings of the hull or superstructure will be made, nor will any machinery or equipment be operated. Only readily accessible and areas cleared of stowage items will be inspected. The above named client fully understands the potential for errors and inaccuracies resulting from the inability to evaluate
portions of the vessel due to these as well as any other limitation of inspection. For a better understanding of the survey process, refer to the attached “Scope of Survey”;
The above named client assumes responsibility for any damage inadvertently done to the vessel during the course of the survey inspection;
The above named client is responsible for making any and all arrangements for hauling and/or launching the vessel to facilitate the survey and is solely responsible for all associated marina/boatyard costs;
The surveyor will endeavor to exercise his best judgment and to follow accepted professional standards and practices in the performance of the survey. DHG Marine Survey and Appraisals will provide a detailed report describing the condition of the vessel, as observed by the attending surveyor within a reasonable time frame, depending upon the current office workload. All efforts are made to get survey reports out within ten working days from the date of inspection. A verbal consultation will be carried out upon completion of pre-purchase inspections. The survey report will not express or imply warranty, or guarantee of the condition of the vessel. It is only the opinion of the surveyor based on his limited visual inspection and tests performed. DHG Marine Survey and Appraisals nor its surveyors shall, under any circumstances whatsoever, be held responsible for errors in judgment, or for any inaccuracy, omission or misstatement that may result from any identified or unidentified limitations of inspection. The above named client agrees to pay the fee for the cost of the survey, plus any travel expenses and HST. The fee does not include any boatyard costs, which are the sole responsibility of the above named client.
The above named client understands that no survey findings will be discussed or forwarded until all fees are paid in full.
It is understood that the above named client has reviewed the design and construction of the boat, and has determined its suitability for his/her intended purposes, and is familiar with the boat’s cosmetic condition. The surveyor makes no determination of seaworthiness, or evaluation of stability and handling characteristics.
Independent of the primary survey, DHG Marine Survey and Appraisals recommends that the above named client consider contracting the services of qualified specialists to carry out expert inspections of rigging, sails, machinery and electrical systems. The above named Client understands that the cost of such inspections is not included as part of the primary survey.
By filling out the above form and submitting, you agree and consent to the above terms and conditions. I have read and understand the terms of the service agreement. I have obtained specific permission from the legal owner of the subject vessel, or his agent, for the purpose of conducting a marine survey at the location noted above. I understand that DHG Marine Survey and Appraisals will retain personal information on file for the sole purpose of future contact, unless I provide a request in writing to the contrary. Survey reports remain the property of DHG Marine Survey and Appraisals and are retained indefinitely for the purpose of carrying on normal day-to-day business operations. DHG Marine Survey and Appraisals agrees that reports will not be forwarded to any third party without the clients express written consent.
SCOPE OF SURVEY
The purpose of a marine survey inspection is to determine, insofar as possible within the limitations of visual and physical accessibility, through non-invasive and non-destructive means, the subject boat’s structure, systems, cosmetics, and levels of compliance with currently applicable federal law and commonly accepted industry standards and practices.
Certain parts of the boat’s structure, systems and equipment can only be inspected after removing flats, bulkheads, joinery, headliners, tanks, etc. This would be prohibitively time consuming, potentially destructive, and costly to restore. Components requiring access with tools or by disassembly will not be inspected. Where dirt, marine growth, coatings build-up or corrosion obscured the surveyor’s ability to inspect, this limitation will be noted in the report. Conditions suspected or discovered using non-destructive methods may be further subject to invasive testing for confirmation. No invasive or destructive methods are utilized during the inspection without the expressed permission of the boat’s owner or owner’s representative.
Complete inspection of machinery, plumbing, electrical systems and available equipment can only be made by disassembly or by continuous operation. This has not been done, but may be recommended. No mechanical tests are performed on propulsion or auxiliary generating equipment. No fluid samples are drawn. Only the installation and external condition of machinery and accessory equipment is inspected. This should not be considered a complete mechanical inspection. Qualified marine mechanics experienced with the specific machinery installed should be employed to survey propulsion engines and auxiliary generators. Propulsion and rudder shafts are not drawn for inspection, however, this may be recommended. The inspection of flexible piping is limited to the condition of its external casing and only where readily accessible for visual inspection.
In the case of sailboats, the boat’s standing rigging is inspected from deck level only. Absent documentation to the contrary, standing rigging and spars are presumed to be original equipment. Masts and rigging should be struck periodically for inspection and routine preventive maintenance. In the case of pre-purchase, or if open water voyaging or extended cruising is planned, a qualified marine rigger should be employed to go aloft to inspect the rigging.
Electronic and electrical equipment is tested by powering up and observing function. Except as indicated, no measurements are taken. No calibrations or adjustments are made. Batteries are not load tested. Only the external condition of electrical wiring, connections and system installations is inspected. No attempt is made to perform a complete analysis of the boat’s electrical systems as to do so would require disassembly with tools, removals, etc. to gain access to components.
Generally it is our experience that few boats surveyed today meet all of the applicable standards for marine electrical system fabrication and installation. This situation may be further aggravated by the wet and corrosive marine environment, and often by the owner’s tolerance for poor installations, “do it yourself” add-ons, and a general lack of preventive maintenance. Therefore, when the surveyor’s limited visual inspection of an electrical system raises significant concern regarding standards compliance, the recommendation will be made to employ a qualified marine electrician for an in-depth inspection. Attention to compliance with electrical standards is critical electrician for an in-depth inspection. Attention to compliance with electrical standards is critical to avoiding conditions that may lead to fires, explosions and personal injury or death.
A Sea Trial is not included as part of the survey inspection. If the boat is afloat, operation of propulsion and auxiliary machinery and the steering system is observed in static mode only in the presence of the owner or his/her representative. If the boat is blocked ashore, no machinery is operated. Boats in a state of winter lay-up preclude operation of winterized systems.
Sails, bimini tops, dodgers, awnings, winter covers, etc. are not laid out for inspection. Used sails are accepted to have conditions of wear and tear normal for their age. Meaningful evaluation of sails is best made by a qualified Sailmaker laying out sails in a loft.
A boat’s systems and component parts have a limited useful life and must be considered perishable. Conditions affecting useful life include original material specifications, fabrication and manufacturing techniques, atmospheric exposures, history of use, etc. These systems and their component parts often give no readily detectable external indication of deterioration or impending failure.
Where relevant, the surveyor’s recommendations are based on the Transport Canada TP1332, Construction standards for Small Vessels, Transport Canada Collision Regulations, as well as voluntary Standards and Practices for Small Craft, published by the ABYC, and NFPA 302: Standard for Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft, published by the National Fire Protection Association. The foregoing commentary is provided to give readers of this report an understanding of the survey process and its limitations. Since records of the boat’s history of use and past maintenance are typically not made available to the surveyor, reported observations are necessarily limited to the boat’s condition at the time of the inspection was performed.
Acceptance Of Terms
Acceptance and use of this report by the client acknowledges the client’s understanding that the report has been composed of information that is believed to be true after reasonable investigation and inquiry but is not warranted to be so. The information was obtained without drilling, diving, ultrasonics, cleaning or opening up to expose parts or conditions ordinarily concealed. There were no tests for tightness or soundness conducted other than the conditions noted visually.
Acceptance and use of this report acknowledges the client’s understanding that no determination of stability or structural strength has been made and no opinion is expressed.
Acceptance and use of this report acknowledges the client’s understanding that DHG Marine Survey and Appraisals does not accept any responsibility for damage or deterioration not found or discovered during the course of survey, nor for consequential damage, deterioration or loss due to any error or omission.
The Client hereby undertakes to keep the Surveyor/Consultant and its employees, agents and subcontractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them, and against and in respect of all costs, loss, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Surveyor/Consultant may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the services under these Conditions.
Notwithstanding the above clause, in the event that the Client proves that the loss, damage, delay or expense was caused by the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Surveyor/Consultant aforesaid, then, save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Surveyor’s/Consultant’s personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result, the Surveyor’s/Consultant’s liability for each incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a sum calculated on the basis of ten times the Surveyor’s/Consultant’s charges.