We find that both clients and crew want to know how our superyacht survey process works, and how we reliably plan and execute our surveys so as to deliver our paper and online reports so rapidly. As always, the secret is in careful advance planning by the team and careful coordination whilst onboard, combined with the experience of our survey team members and our unique cloud based survey software. The aim of this article is to explain the process and to discuss some of the choices and decisions that need to be addressed in order to deliver a successful outcome.
Pre contract phase
We usually get approached by the buyer’s broker once they feel that the transaction has a realistic prospect of going to contract, but not necessarily before contracts are signed. We are used to providing survey proposals at this stage, in order to give the buyer’s team an idea of what is involved and the likely cost. It isn’t unusual for things to go quiet for a period of time, as lawyers and brokers negotiate the final detail of the sale and purchase contract. During this period, we may have pencilled a rough date into our survey calendar. We will also have discussed with the buyer’s team what their likely requirements will be in terms of haulout and the use of specialists. Depending on the client’s requirements, we may also have sounded out our preferred specialists, and will have looked at the availability of synchrolift or dry dock options for the underwater hull survey, all the time keeping details of the transaction confidential.
Post signing contracts
Once contracts are signed, the pace generally accelerates rapidly. We work with the buyer’s team to firm up the survey location and timetable, allocate our surveyors to the survey and book the specialists required by the buyer (usually Cat or MTU, plus electrical, noise & vibration, paint and possibly NDT). If needed by the buyer, we will also compile a shortlist of haulout locations and prepare a scope of work for each shipyard to quote on. Once the plan is firmed up, we will send a survey briefing letter to the Captain, yacht manager and selling broker, letting them know what to expect during the survey.
Survey planning
Obviously the time needed for the survey will vary depending on a number of factors, but our approach is to scale our team to complete our survey on even the largest yacht (and we regularly work on yachts from 40 metres up to 160 metres or more) within 5 working days. Occasionally the survey might need to be split into two attendances, for instance, if the yacht needs to be moved to a haulout facility, or where the yacht is going to use a traditional dry dock, which will inevitably be slower than using a travel lift or synchrolift.
In planning our time onboard, we usually try to avoid holding the sea trial on day 1, as we like time to become familiar with the yacht and its systems and to get to know the crew. We find that day 2 usually works well for the sea trial. Although we request a minimum of 4 hours at sea for the sea trial, the reality is that with pre sea checks and post sea trial checks, the sea trial will occupy a whole day. Our surveys require half a day undertaking what we refer to as “interrupting” work (ie they can interrupt the yacht’s routine and day to day work of the crew) whilst we undertake a blackout trial and test transitional power sources, fire alarms and fire doors, remote closing watertight doors etc. We try to group these tests into half a day following the sea trial, usually on day 3. We encourage all parties to try to make the haulout the very last part of the survey process for several reasons: it is the part of the survey most likely to encounter delays beyond our control; the survey team cannot be onboard whilst the yacht is being lifted and moved, or whilst the dry dock is being drained or flooded, and in either case until power is restored, losing us time; if any problems arise during the underwater hull inspection, it is much more cost effective to leave the yacht ashore for a few additional days in order to deal with the issue, rather than relaunching and then having to haulout all over again at a future date; and finally, if the sea trial is a disaster, the buyer might avoid the cost of a haulout in the event that they decide to reject the yacht following the technical sea trial.
Report delivery
Assuming that everything goes according to plan, the buyer’s team are going to be anxious to know our opinions as early as possible. To that end, we maintain a regular dialogue with the buyer’s team during the survey, with regular written updates. We will have established with the buyer’s team how quickly they need the report. Our current record is to submit a 350 page report within 48 hours of stepping off a 95 metre Lurssen. With planning and experience, by scaling our team size and by harnessing the power of our cloud based survey software, we’re able to provide industry leading reports within very tight deadlines.
Contact us
If we can help you with your next superyacht pre purchase survey, please contact us by using the details here.
Other acrticles
If you would like to read other articles about superyacht surveys, please click here to read an article about use of specialist contractors, or here to read our thoughts on whether or not to haulout as part of the survey.
About us
Yacht Survey Partners are global specialist superyacht surveyors. We are currently active in the UK, USA, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Malta, the Caribbean and further afield, undertaking pre purchase surveys, pre sale surveys, condition surveys, insurance damage surveys and providing advice to buyers, owners, family offices, brokers, managers, insurers, lawyers and shipyards. Our surveyors are located in London, Palma, Barcelona, Antibes, Monaco, Genoa, Fort Lauderdale and Hong Kong.