Survey Types

Fixed Price

For fixed price surveys, the surveyor enters a fixed-price for the survey in their portfolio. This price is then fixed for that survey type. Based on the port where the survey will be conducted, if there is additional transportation cost for the surveyor, the total invoice amount will be the sum of the survey cost and the transportation cost.

Scenario 1: Surveyor John lives in Amsterdam and conducts Air Draft Surveys for 750 USD. In his ports list, Amsterdam has no additional transportation cost since he lives there. The invoice total amount for Air Draft Surveys that John conducts in Amsterdam will be 750 USD. 

Scenario 2: John also conducts Air Draft Surveys in Rotterdam. In his ports list, Rotterdam has an additional transportation cost of 100 USD. The invoice total amount for Air Draft Surveys that John conducts in Rotterdam will be 750 USD survey cost + 100 USD transportation = 850 USD.

Below is the list of fixed price survey types:

Air Draft Survey (AIRS) calculates the vessel's maximum intake and/or draft and measures the distance between the highest point of the vessel and the water line.

Bunker Quantity/Replenishment Survey (BQRS) monitors the bunkering from the barge to the vessel and calculates the supplied quantity.

Bunker ROB Survey (BROB) checks bunker tanks onboard and calculates exact bunker quantity remaining onboard.

Cargo Claims Investigation Survey (CCIS) investigates the claims about the cargo of the vessel.

Cargo Damage Survey (CADS) investigates any damages to the cargo of the vessel.

Cargo Hold Inspection (CHIN) performs checks on the structure and coating of cargo holds.

Cargo Quantity Dispute Survey (CQDS) investigates disputes on the quantity of the cargo.

Cargo Tank Cleanliness Survey (CTCS) inspects the cleanliness of the cargo tanks.

De-bunkering Survey (DBQS) monitors the bunkering from the vessel to the barge and calculates the supplied quantity.

Draft Survey (DRFT) reads six-point checks of vessel drafts on arrival and departure and calculates cargo quantity.

Flag State Inspection (FLAG) conducts inspection of the vessel as per the flag requirements.

Hatch Cover Weather Tightness Test (HCWT) performs weather tightness test on the hatch covers either by Ultrasonic Test or a Hose Test.

Hatch Sealing Survey (HATC) seals the hatch covers.

Hull/Holds Condition Survey (HHCS) performs checks on the hull and holds condition of the vessel.

Lime Wash Certification (LIME) monitors cleaning/lime wash of the cargo holds.

Loss Prevention Survey (LOSS) carries out risk assessments to identify issues that can potentially cause claims.

Navigational Audit (NAVG) attends the trial sailing of the vessel and conducts navigational audit

Off-Hire Bunker & Condition Survey (OFBC) calculates bunker quantity at off-hire time and checks vessel condition.

Off-Hire Bunker Survey (OFBS) calculates bunker quantity at off-hire time.

On-Hire Bunker & Condition Survey (ONBC) calculates bunker quantity at on-hire time and checks vessel condition.

On-Hire Bunker Survey (ONBS) calculates bunker quantity at on-hire time.

Pre-purchase Survey (PREP) performs a full inspection to evaluate the vessel condition.

Risk Assessment (RISK) performs risk assessment on various areas on the vessel.

Safety Radio Survey (RDIO) performs inspection on the GMDSS equipment on the vessel.

Vetting Survey (VETT) performs full inspection of the vessel as per instructions from the operator.

Daily Priced

For daily priced surveys, the surveyors enter the price per day for the survey. Based on the number of days it took for the survey to be conducted, when the surveyor uploads the survey report, he also enters the “number of days” it took for the survey. The total invoice for the survey will be the “number of days” times the price per day (plus transportation cost if there is any).

Scenario 1: Surveyor John lives in Amsterdam and conducts Cargo Surveys for 600 USD "per day". In his ports list, Amsterdam has no additional transportation cost since he lives there. For a Cargo Survey that took 4 days in Amsterdam, the invoice total amount will be: 600 USD/Day x 4 Days = 2400 USD. 

Scenario 2: John also conducts Cargo Surveys in Rotterdam. In his ports list, Rotterdam has an additional transportation cost of 100 USD. For a Cargo Survey that took 4 days in Rotterdam, the invoice total amount will be: 600 USD/Day x 4 Days + 100 USD Transportation cost = 2500 USD

Below is the list of daily priced survey types:

Cargo-Tally Survey (CARG) monitors various cargo types and performs visual inspection based on the cargo type. Final bill is based on number of days survey takes place.

Out Turn Survey (OUTT) conducts checks damages and shifts of the break-bulk cargo upon the vessel's arrival.

Port Captain (PCAP) monitors the port and vessel operations.

Pre-Loading Survey (PREL) attends loading of the vessel and checks cargo condition.

Supercargo (SCAR) monitors cargo operations.

Custom Occasional

Custom Occasional Survey is a separate category that do not fall into typical standard survey types that are listed above. These surveys require specific instructions that the operators want surveyors to follow. For that reason, there is no pre-defined price entered by surveyors for Custom Occasional Surveys.

Instead, there is a bidding process for Custom Occasional Surveys. Operators select up to five surveyors to receive a bid for their survey needs and upload their instructions document. The surveyors have one day to review the requirements and provide a quote for the survey request. The operators then choose one of the submitted bids for the survey.

The total invoice amount for the custom occasional survey is the exact amount of the bid that is entered by the surveyor.

Example: Surveyor John is based in Amsterdam and conducts Custom Occasional Surveys. He receives a survey request for a Custom Occasional Survey in Rotterdam. John normally charges 100 USD transportation costs for surveys he conducts in Rotterdam.

He reviews the instructions for the Custom Occasional Survey and bids 1500 USD for the request. The operator receives five bids from five surveyors including John, and the operator chooses John for the job. In this scenario, the total invoice for the survey will be 1500 USD, the exact bid amount. Notice that it is not going to be 1600 USD (1500 USD + 100 USD transportation cost). This is to ensure the operator is aware of the total cost when he picks the winning bid.

Yacht & Boat Surveys

Yacht & Boat surveys are for yachts and boats and not for commercial vessels as the name implies, and they are fixed price type surveys.

Appraisal Surveys (YBAP) are used usually for settlements, financing, or donation of the boat-yacht to a charity.

Damage Surveys (YBDA) investigates and determines the cause, severity, and type of damage and repair costs estimation for the damage.

Limited Condition & Valuation (YBCV) are required by insurance companies, and the requirements differ from company to company. They usually do not require a full function test and sea trial of the unit, and therefore is not by itself sufficient for providing accurate information about the unit before a purchase.

Prepurchase (YBPP) is an advanced and complete version of the Limited Condition and Valuation survey. It includes testing all of the systems on the vessel in land and on a sea trial. Its purpuse is to give an idea of the market value of the vessel to a potential buyer or for insurance or financing purposes.