Marine surveyor
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A marine surveyor is usually a professional mariner, such as a qualified ship master, engineer, naval architect or radio officer. They conduct inspections, surveys or examinations aboard ship to assess, monitor and report on the condition of the ship, as well as attending the manufacturers of new equipment intended for new or existing vessels, to ensure compliance with various standards or specifications. Surveys typically include the structure, machinery and equipment (navigational, safety, radio). Increasingly, Classification and government-appointed marine surveyors also are involved in other aspects, including confirming compliance with international treaties associated with such things as pollution, international security, and safety management schemes. They may also examine cargo gear to ensure that it meets the requirements or regulations.
Government-appointed marine surveyors belong to two groups, which are not mutually exclusive: Flag state surveyors report to the government with whom the vessel is registered, and port state surveyors report to the government into whose territory the vessel has entered. The Port State surveyors usually have the authority to detain vessels considered to have defects that may result in adverse impacts on life or the environment. Based on their government's legal framework, Flag state surveyors can impose conditions on the vessel such that failure to comply will result in the registration of the vessel being suspended or withdrawn. In this event, the vessel will find it almost impossible to trade.
Classification surveyors often have two roles: one is as a representative of the classification society and the other as an inspector on behalf of the Flag State [providing a memorandum of agreement exists between Class and the country with which the vessel is registered]. The classification role is to ensure that during construction the vessel initially complies with the Class Society's Rules for construction and outfitting, and thereafter is maintained to a suitable standard of seaworthiness. The Flag component is based on a clear set of guidelines issued by the country. On satisfactory completion of any survey, the Class surveyor makes recommendations to the Society and/or the Flag State. These may be without any adverse comment, in which the vessel has a clean bill of health, or that various defects be made good within a given time.
They may do so on behalf of her Flag State, Port State Control in other ports, classification society, marine insurance and International Maritime Organization (IMO) depending on the type of survey carried out. Appropriate certificate(s) are usually issued to the vessel after survey.
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[edit] General duties of marine surveyor
A marine surveyor may perform the following tasks:
- Conduct surveys throughout the ship's life (building new ship, annual survey, interim survey, special survey) to ensure standards are maintained;
- Perform inspections required by domestic statutes and international conventions by (IMO);
- Witness tests and operation of emergency and safety machinery and equipment;
- Measure ships for tonnage and survey them for load line assignment;
- Attend court as an expert witness and assist in coroner's inquiries;
- Investigate marine accidents.
[edit] Types of marine surveyor
[edit] Government marine surveyor
A government marine surveyor performs ship registration survey, enforcement of ship safety standards, marine industrial safety, surveys of foreign-going ships and local craft. (e.g. port state or flag state control survey, ship registration survey, etc.)
[edit] Classification Society surveyor
A classification society surveyor inspects ships to make sure that ships, components and machinery are built and maintained according to the standards required for their class, and examines accident damage.
[edit] Private marine surveyor
A private marine surveyor may be asked to carry out a wide range of tasks, including examining ships' cargoes or onboard conditions such as fuel quality, investigating accidents at sea (e.g. oil spillages or failure of machinery or structures which are not considered to be critical) and prepares accident reports for insurance purposes.
