boats, was preferable than going to the cinema and seeing the latest action flick. Instead, saving up pocket money, not only for the next sailing yacht, but starting an extensive nautical library was the goal! A “nerd”? You bet. And proud of it.
Next came school and learning wood working skills, for a future boatbuilding career, and then into a boatbuilding apprenticeship. The next 24 years were spent building traditional wooden launches, composite Maxi, Open 60, and TP52 race yachts, luxury custom pleasure launches and yachts, and self-employment in the boat repair sector. Also, a stint off shore as an owner’s representative, rounded the whole experience well.
On the suggestion from a few recognized surveyors, the next step was to get the appropriate training to become a surveyor and hang out my shingle so to speak.
Hard work? Definitely. Working twelve hours a day, six to seven days per week as a boatbuilder, newly married and with a young child, and methodically studying for two to three hours each night, for eighteen months was trying, to say the least. Would this be undertaken again? At a heart-beat.
The satisfaction of studying and passing a diploma course, undertaking surveys, unpaid, with skilled surveyors, will always be appreciated. The results; a healthier life style, more family time, respect in the marine sector, a successful business, and lastly, a better income. The order written is the net result required.
However, for the aspiring surveyor, there are downfalls in the industry. Sure, there are the romantic times. Working in the sun, on a multi- million, dollar vessel, keeping nice and clean, and at the end of the day, packing up and driving home in your nice, new, work vehicle to spend some leisurely time writing a survey report for the said day of luxury.
Sorry, but in reality, not quite the 98 | The Report • March 2020 • Issue 91
perfect picture. A typical day may be in the middle of winter, heavy rain or sleet, and high winds. The vessel may be a fifty year old fishing trawler, which the owner has no obvious pride, the decks are covered in fish entrails, and when you step into the engine room, there is more oil spread on the planking and bilges of the vessel, than is contained inside the fifty year old engine. To make matters worse, the owner is on a budget, swears constantly, berates you, hasn’t showered properly since the summer of ’89, and actually resents the “know it all surveyor” who is prodding through his boat. And after all that, as you come back topsides, a cold blast of wind pulls your notes from your hands never to be seen again…
To finally seal the deal, the invoice is paid six months late, if at all, as obviously you as the surveyor, has discredited the vessel to such an extent, that it can no longer be used for intended purpose…
This description may sound exaggerated, however, surveying not only comes with the good times, but also the very bad. Be prepared.
So back to becoming a surveyor. A good surveyor comes from a solid back ground in boat or ship building, boat or ship designing, time served on ships, in either handling or engineering appointments, or serving time for a marine survey company under the guidance of experienced staff. Nothing can beat hands on, long term, experience in the marine sector. A good surveyor will also undertake further formal training through a correspondence course, or school, specializing in surveying as a career. A good surveyor will undertake all of the above and if possible, will also undertake survey training under an experienced surveyor who has been in the trade for many years.
Once the surveyor has appropriate training and education, experience under a mentor, if possible, and is confident in their abilities, it is then time to start in business.
3.Starting your Survey Business
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”
Estee Lauder
Money is what makes the world go around, and starting in business, the ideal situation is to have some equity behind you. You will not immediately be doing so many surveys that you are short on time. Ideally, a full-time job, which allows you to take time off to undertake the occasional survey, would be the best option. Myself, I was self employed as a boat builder and could manage time off when training was needed or the odd job came up. Even though well known in the marine industry, it still took time for the momentum to build, and to survey full time. Below are my years in business and the surveys undertaken:
Year
2011 2012 2014 2016 2018
Amount of Surveys. Including Pre-Purchase and Pre- Insurance Inspections.
2 (Business started in December) 33 76
234 241
2013 2015 2017 2019
51
145 281 251
The figures show reality. The business was not a true viable option for the first four years financially, and even 2015, although with 145 surveys, a good part of these were insurance surveys or minimal charged accounts if the vessel had immediate apparent faults and the survey was cancelled at the client’s request.
The next step, with finance and security behind you, is to name and brand your business. This can be your name incorporated, a nautical name, or any name you so wish to choose. Remember, this is the first impression anyone will have of your business. Also keep in mind, your website and email address. Too long a name, and people will quickly tire of writing
johnsmith@ionalmarinesurveysandexcellence.com.
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