Frequently Asked Questions About a Marine Surveyor

Byswati sharma

Are you planning to become a marine surveyor? Want to find out more about becoming one? If yes, then you are at the right place. Here are some frequently asked questions that will serve as a guide and help you make the final decision. Take a look- 

What type of work does a Marine surveyor do?

Marine surveyors perform different types of inspections and surveys for vessels that may include tugboats, dredges, oil rigs, pleasure craft, passenger vessels, ferries, warships, cargo vessels. Apart from vessels, they also perform inspections for facilities such as canals, drydocks, loading docks to fulfil the purpose of pre-purchase evaluation, insurance eligibility, insurance claim resolutions and maritime regulation compliances. 

What type of surveys do marine surveyors perform?

Although there are numerous types of surveys, the most common ones are listed below- 

  • Hull survey
  • Damage survey
  • Valuation survey
  • Safety & operational Survey
  • Surveying Rigs and Sails
  • Cargo Surveys
  • Insurance Surveys
  • Corrosion Surveys
  • Incident and Accident Investigation surveys
  • Surveying Engines & Ship Systems

Does an individual require a Diploma to become a marine surveyor?

Yes, the MTA ( Maritime Training Academy) Diploma is important as it provides the key basic knowledge required by an individual who intends to become a surveyor. Moreover, all the diplomas recognised by the Maritime industry are professional development programmes towards surveying. It is also recommended that people who wish to become a surveyor should try learning and spending time with a practising surveyor. This is because the industry does not require surveyors to be licensed or qualified. Here, reputation is the key. 

Will I be known as a Qualified Surveyor after completion of the diploma?

As marine surveyors do not require any licence or qualification, therefore, standards vary in the maritime industry. With a diploma, you can get crucial knowledge and understanding of how to perform the surveys. 

How much does a Marine Surveyor earn?

The income of a surveyor depends on a range of factors which include-

  • Experience
  • Types of survey
  • Type of vessel
  • Geographical location
  • How the surveyor markets themselves
  • Quality of the final survey report

While small craft surveyors typically charge their clients by the foot or metre for surveys such as precondition assessment of vessels, specialist surveyors such as marine cargo surveyor charges differently. 

Highly seasoned surveyors who offer a premium service for surveys charge a lot more than the average amount. Shipowners, brokers and insurance companies prefer hiring experienced surveyors and paying for their service and experience as it is a good investment. 

Are you a marine surveyor? If so, then register yourself at a portal today to manage your inspections.