Purchasing a vessel without a detailed independent evaluation exposes buyers to significant operational, financial, and compliance risks. A structured pre-purchase survey helps you:

• Identify defects, wastage, deferred repairs, and upcoming maintenance.
• Evaluate regulatory and class status, identifying potential deficiencies.
• Understand the vessel’s operational performance and safety condition.
• Determine realistic budgets for upgrades, repairs, and drydocking.
• Strengthen negotiation leverage with clear and documented findings.
• Prevent costly surprises after the transaction closes.

We apply a systematic, class-based inspection methodology grounded in our experience surveying and auditing hundreds of commercial ships worldwide.

Scope of Inspection

Our surveys typically include:

1. Structural Condition

• Hull integrity, plating, coatings, and corrosion levels
• Deck and internal structure assessment
• Cargo spaces, tanks, holds, and ballast areas

2. Machinery & Technical Systems

• Main engines and auxiliary engines
• Steering gear, propulsion systems, and power generation
• Pumps, compressors, and critical shipboard equipment
• Condition monitoring trends and maintenance history

3. Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Lifesaving appliances and firefighting systems
• ISM Code implementation and SMS conformity review
• Class status, statutory certificates, overdue items, and observations
• PSC history and potential risk indicators

4. Operational Readiness

• Bridge equipment and navigational systems
• Engine room operations and condition of workspace
• Cargo handling and mooring equipment
• Crew familiarization and general housekeeping standards

5. Documentation & Records Review

• Planned maintenance system status
• Oil record book, engine log, and deck log
• Class survey reports and conditions of class
• Recent drydock reports, repairs, and thickness measurements

6. Deliverables

Every pre-purchase survey includes:

• Detailed technical report
• Prioritized findings with severity ratings
• Repair recommendations
• Photographic evidence
• Compliance observations relative to Flag, Class, IMO, and industry standards

Deep Maritime Expertise

Our team consists of former Marine Engineers, Naval Architects, Class Surveyors, ISM/ISPS/MLC Lead Auditors, and Flag State Inspectors. We bring shipyard, vessel operations, and classification society experience directly into your project.

Practical, Audit-Driven Perspective

We understand how ships operate in the real world. Our surveys combine technical accuracy with practical insight on operational risk, maintenance quality, and future regulatory exposure.

Objective Reporting for Buyers & Financiers

Our reports are clear, structured, and designed for decision-makers, delivering transparency that supports negotiations and financial due diligence.

Coverage Where You Need It

We provide pre-purchase ship condition surveys across all major California ports, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Port Hueneme, Oakland, Richmond, San Francisco, Stockton, and Sacramento—as well as the broader U.S. West Coast (Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Portland), the Gulf Coast (Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, New Orleans, Mobile), and the U.S. East Coast (New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Miami). International surveys are also available upon request.

Vessels We Survey

We specialize exclusively in condition survey of the following ship types:

• Bulk carriers
• Container vessels
• Tankers (crude, product, chemical)
• General cargo ships
• Offshore support vessels
• Research Vessels
• Ro-Ro and ConRo-Ro
• Towing vessels – Tug boats, push boats, ATBs
• Tank Barges
• Deck Barges
• Drill ships
• Passenger vessels (T-boats)
• Dredgers