What a Marine Surveyor Can Do For You!

A qualified Marine Surveyor can formulate a realistic trustworthy representation of the documented condition, value and associated risk regarding a corporate or private yacht, recreational pleasure boat, commercial fishing vessel, ship or tug that sails on inland, near-coastal, coastal or ocean waters. A vessel survey is heavily relied upon for prudent consideration by current owners, prospective buyers, brokers, insurance agents and underwriters along with financial lending institutions. Whether the watercraft is large, small, un-inspected or inspected, in need of stability testing or plan review, a Maritime Inspector with experience, training, expertise and technology can produce quality feedback for your information and action. Modern day boat building techniques incorporate high-tech materials and can no longer be surveyed and reliably inspected by old methods. Wooden hulls need a highly trained and experienced surveyor on wood boat construction. A knowledgeable marine expert can provide an inclusive list of regulation and safety deficiencies, manufacturing defects, and other items which do not meet marine industry standards impacting the seaworthiness of the vessel no matter the geographic area nor in unforeseen weather and sea conditions with respect to its fair market value.

A marine surveyor approaches the survey as an experienced "neutral" party to serve as an advocate for their client.

Our only interest is to bring the full bearing of our experience to help the client to understand the condition of the vessel they are interested in and to help the client determine if the vessel will be suitable for their needs.

Anyone can title him or herself a Marine Consultant, however consulting is the process of conveying advice based upon extensive training, knowledge and experience. For compensation, the consultant will review plans and material components, inspect physical arrangement or damage, observe skill sets and documented training provided by the vessel owner, master or their representative, then apply applicable laws, regulations, voluntary standards all coupled with good marine practice and render feedback for consideration on the part of the client. It should be noted the consultant cannot and will not dictate the actions of the owner, master, or his representatives or crew in matters under consult due to liability considerations.

Captain Karl W. Nickel, Certified Master Marine Surveyor, has experience in the operation, plan review for new construction, inspection, testing, surveying and consulting on all types of vessels including inflatable liferafts, recreational and commercial sail, power, race, mono and multi-hull, fishing boats, passenger vessels, and high speed craft. Inspections for condition, valuation, pre-purchase, insurance, adjusting, donation, finance, risk assessment, salvage, damage survey, repair, accident reconstruction, dry-dock, internal structural, stability, modification, engine and machinery, re-powering, on/off hire, leak detection, lightning strike, moisture content, delamination, corrosion analysis and thickness gauging. Specializing in wood, Kevlar, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) cored and solid, steel and aluminum construction. Inspections performed on fishing, sport fish, houseboats, pontoon boats, trailers, barges and ships. Machinery inspections performed on inboard direct, inboard stern drive, outboard engines for gasoline, diesel and steam propulsion systems. All consulting is done in accordance with 33 and 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft, International Maritime Organization (IMO), Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS), International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Rules for Building and Classing Steel, Aluminum and Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Vessels.