– more about them later. Simple short sentences are all you need so they cannot be misconstrued. And remember, your report will be written sometime later after the survey and therefore must always be written in the PAST tense.


As a general guideline, your report should reveal the facts and not give opinions. Understanding the difference between fact and opinion is a skill and opinions can often be wrong.


• A fact is described as the statement that can be verified or proved to be true. Opinion is an expression of judgment or belief about something.


• Fact relies on observation or research while opinion is based on assumption.


• Fact is an objective reality - opinion is a subjective statement.


• Facts can be verified with the help of evidence or statistics. Opinion is not supported by any evidence.


• Facts explain what actually happened unlike an opinion, which represents a perception about something.


• The fact is universal and does not differ from person to person. Every person has a different opinion on a subject and so will vary from one to another.


• Facts are shown with unbiased words; however, opinion is expressed with biased words.


• Facts can change anybody’s opinion, but vice versa is not possible.


• Facts are real information that cannot be challenged or debated, but opinions can be debated.


THE NEED FOR CLARITY AND BEING SURE THAT YOUR CLIENT UNDERSTANDS YOUR STATEMENTS


Do not use jargon because your client might have a very limited understanding of vessels and scant technical knowledge. Be careful not to overstate or exaggerate, ensuring you give sufficient details and leave the client to decide their next course of action. Do not get involved in dealings between buyer and seller. That is the broker’s job - leave them to it.


Consider this real statement, an example of vagueness that needs some clarity. “My officials are monitoring this situation very closely, and I can promise we shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the situation is resolved in a way that is fair to all the parties involved”.


This statement should be challenged on grounds of vagueness. Despite the appearance of having promised to do something specific, the minster concerned has not really promised to do anything at all. What are appropriate measures? They could be anything or nothing. What does fair to


all the parties mean? Such phrases are vague, can be interpreted to mean almost anything and have no place in your report!


Sticking with vagueness, vague words and phrases can create wrong or confusing meanings in your client’s mind. They state a general idea, but worryingly leave the precise meaning to your client’s interpretation. The following examples show vague words and simple ways to make them specific:


- Very many: 17 or 103 are specific - Early morning: 5am or 05.00 are clear


- Hot: 97 degrees Fahrenheit is clear - Most: 89.9% is specific - Soon: 6pm or 18.00 on Tuesday is certain


The use of descriptive words and phrases in your reports can greatly enhance its value. Study this example: “He was a small man” - only gives you a limited visual impression of the person, but this next phrase reveals much more about him with the use of a few extra descriptive words: “He was a diminutive, tattooed, brown eyed man, stocky in appearance with a rosy complexion.” Now we know a great deal more about his appearance and can visualize more clearly.


66 | The Report • March 2020 • Issue 91


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