CONTENTS

 

 

Introduction

List of abbreviations

1. MANDATORY STANDARDS, SURVEYING BODIES AND TERMINOLOGY

What standards apply to the type of craft we are most likely to encounter?

Recreational Craft Directive (RCD)

The Boat Safety Scheme (BSS)

Maritime and Coastguard Agency of Practice

SOLAS regulations for pleasure vessels

Do we survey to these standards?

If we are not surveying to any particular common standard, where do we start?

Who regulates this industry?

Associations, institutes and professional bodies operating in the field

Terminology you will come across in the description of pleasure craft

2. GOING EQUIPPED TO SURVEY

What tools will we need?

Recording information

What next?

What are we trying to achieve in the report?

3. BASIC FRP CONSTRUCTION AND COMMON DEFECTS

1. The material

2. Hull building methods found in FRP production small craft

Heavy solid FRP layup with chopped strand matt

Solid FRP layup with additional reinforcing integral with the shell moulding

Solid FRP layup with structural frames and stringers integral with inner mouldings bonded to the shell moulding

Part sandwich construction

3. Deck and superstructure building methods found in FRP production small craft

Solid FRP layup with moulded beam reinforcing

FRP sandwich construction with foam or end grain balsa core between two layers of solid FRP

FRP sandwich construction overlaid with teak

4. Ballast keels and associated reinforcing

Encapsulated keels

Bolted on keels

4. MOISTURE RELATED DEFECTS: RECOGNITION AND DETECTION

Basic definitions

Aeration of the gelcoat

Wicking

Osmotic blistering

What means of detection do we have?

Visual examination

Scraping away antifouling

Moisture readings

5. THE USE AND ABUSE OF MOISTURE METERS

Using moisture meters below the waterline

The Sovereign Quantum moisture meter

Original Tramex and Sovereign moisture meters

Using moisture meters to detect moisture in FRP sandwich structures

Others uses for moisture meters in the FRP survey process

THE SURVEY INSPECTION IN MANAGEABLE STAGES

6. INSPECTION SECTIONS 1-9: TYPE AND STRUCTURE

1. Details of subject vessel

2. Keel

3. Hull below waterline

4. Topsides above waterline

5. Deck moulding

6. Coachroof

7. Cockpit

8. Hull/deck join

9. Bulkheads and structural stiffening including internal mouldings

7. INSPECTION SECTIONS 10-13: STEERING, STERN GEAR, SKIN AND FITTINGS ETC

10. Rudder and steering

11. Stern gear

12. Cathodic protection

13. Skin fittings and other through hull apertures

8. INSPECTION SECTIONS 14-20: ON DECK

14. Main companionway and other accesses to accommodation

15. Ports, windows etc

16. Pulpit, stanchions, pushpit, lifelines and jackstays

17. Rigging attachment points

18. Ground tackle and mooring arrangements

19. Other deck gear and fittings

20. Davits and boarding ladders

9. INSPECTION SECTIONS 21-24: RIG

21. Spars

22. Standing rigging

23. Running rigging

24. Sails and covers etc

10. INSPECTION SECTIONS 25-30: SAFETY

25. Navigation lights

26. Bilge pumping arrangements

27. Firefighting equipment

28. Lifesaving and emergency equipment

29. Engine and installation

30. Fuel system

11. INSPECTION SECTIONS 31-37: ACCOMMODATION AND ON BOARD SYSTEMS

31. Accommodation, general

32. Gas installation

33. Fresh water tanks and delivery

34. Heads

35. Electrical installation

36. Electronic and navigation equipment

37. Heating and refrigeration

12. SURVEY REPORTS

Types of survey

Report writing in detail

The pre-purchase survey in detail

Survey contract

Report layout

Recording of information

Report content

Report style

Report composition

Sample report

Conclusions and recommendations

Maintenance overview

List of recommendations

Conclusions

Valuation

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