Marine surveyors
Marine surveyors for narrowboats & canal boats
A survey checks a boat's condition, hull thickness and systems — you'll typically want one when buying a boat, or to insure or renew cover on an older one. Around 100 surveyors cover the UK inland waterways. Works alongside the official Boat Safety Scheme.
A survey is not the same as a BSS examination. A Boat Safety Scheme certificate confirms your boat meets safety requirements; a survey assesses its overall condition and value. Many boats need both — and many surveyors carry out BSS examinations too.
Types of survey
Pre-purchase survey
The full check before you buy — hull thickness readings, structure, systems, engine, and often oil/fuel sampling. The one most buyers and lenders rely on.
Insurance / condition survey
A condition-and-valuation report accepted by insurers. Many insurers require one for older boats before offering or renewing cover.
Valuation report
An independent market-value assessment for finance, sale, insurance or probate.
Hull / out-of-water survey
The boat is lifted so the surveyor can gauge steel thickness and inspect the baseplate and below-waterline hull.
Find a qualified surveyor
The two professional bodies below let you search for accredited marine surveyors by area and survey type. Always check the surveyor covers inland waterways craft and carries professional indemnity insurance.
IIMS — International Institute of Marine Surveying
Find a qualified marine surveyor by region and survey type
Visit website →YBDSA — Yacht Brokers, Designers & Surveyors Association
Find-a-surveyor directory of accredited members
Visit website →Boat Safety Hub lists these resources to help you find a qualified surveyor. We are not a surveyor and do not carry out surveys. A verified surveyor directory is coming soon.
Many BSS examiners also carry out surveys
If you need both a survey and a Boat Safety Scheme certificate, a single examiner-surveyor can often do both. Browse verified BSS examiners near you.
Find a BSS examiner