Damage surveys are usually commissioned by the insurance company following a claim made by an owner. The purpose of the survey is to establish the amount of damage sustained, and to determine the cause. The insurer or underwriter will want to know the approximate length of time the repairs will take, costs, and if it is financially viable to repair the vessel within its market value.
The damage survey will identify the extent of the damage sustained, the type of repair required, estimate the amount of time expected to complete the repair and provide an overall costing, including replacement of any damaged items.
The surveyor normally oversees the repair work at various stages, thus ensuring that the quality of work is to the industry's standard and that the agreed schedule is maintained.
