Your Questions, Answered

Travel costs may be incurred depending on location but these will be discussed on enquiry.

A cathodic protection test on a boat assesses whether the vessel’s underwater metal components—such as shafts, propellers, and through-hull fittings—are properly protected from galvanic corrosion. This is typically done by measuring the electrical potential between a reference electrode and the metal parts, ensuring that sacrificial anodes (zinc, aluminum, or magnesium) are effectively preventing corrosion. A properly functioning bonding system, which electrically connects key metal components, is also checked during the test. Stray DC and AC currents are also tested for during the cathodic protection inspection. Whilst the vessel may have sufficient anodes within a well bonded system if there is a stray current present from either within the vessel or from a neighboring vessel then this can also lead to substantial degradation and failure of the underwater metal components. This inspection is important because insufficient protection can lead to rapid metal deterioration, while over-protection may damage coatings or certain metals and lead to excessive marine growth. It’s recommended to carry out the test annually, after lift-out, or when there are signs of unusual anode wear or corrosion. The results help determine if the cathodic protection system is working optimally and whether any adjustments or repairs are needed. 

Marine Check provides independent expert witness services in marine surveying, offering technical investigation, analysis and reporting in support of marine disputes, insurance claims and commercial damage litigation. Acting as an expert witness marine surveyor, we assist solicitors, insurers, vessel owners and commercial operators by delivering clear, evidence-based opinions on matters relating to vessel condition, damage causation, repair methodology and industry practice.

Our reports are prepared to assist legal teams in understanding complex marine technical issues and to provide independent professional opinion suitable for use in negotiation, mediation, arbitration or court proceedings.

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Independent Technical Expertise for Marine Disputes

Marine disputes often involve complex questions relating to vessel construction, damage mechanisms, maintenance practices and repair standards. Establishing the true cause of damage or failure requires both professional surveying expertise and practical experience within the marine industry.

Marine Check combines formal marine surveying qualifications with extensive hands-on experience in boatyard operations, vessel repairs and refit management. This background allows us to assess damage and technical issues with a practical understanding of how vessels are constructed, maintained and repaired in real-world conditions.

As an independent marine expert witness, our role is to provide impartial technical opinion based on inspection, evidence and professional judgement. Our duty in this role is to assist the court or tribunal with clear and objective expertise rather than advocating for any party involved in the dispute.

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Marine Expert Witness Services

Marine Check provides expert witness marine surveying services across a range of dispute and claim scenarios. These may include:

• Vessel damage following collision, grounding or impact

• Storm or environmental damage to yachts and vessels

• Disputes relating to repair quality or repair costs

• Failure of vessel structures, systems or machinery

• Insurance claim disputes concerning damage causation

• Vessel condition disputes during sale or purchase transactions

• Contamination or environmental damage affecting vessels

• Commercial disputes involving boatyards, contractors or neighbouring works

In many cases, these disputes arise from marine insurance claims or commercial damage events, where technical clarity is required to determine the cause of damage and the appropriate scope of repairs.

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Damage Investigation and Causation Analysis

A central role of an expert witness marine surveyor is the investigation of damage and the identification of the most likely cause. This may involve a detailed inspection of the vessel, documentation of damage patterns and consideration of environmental conditions or operational factors.

Marine Check undertakes structured damage investigations including:

• Physical inspection of affected vessels

• Photographic documentation of damage

• Technical analysis of structural or material failures

• Review of maintenance records and repair history

• Assessment of external factors such as weather or third-party activity

• Evaluation of repair methodologies and repair costs

Where multiple vessels are affected by a single event, such as environmental contamination or construction activity, broader surveys can also be undertaken to map the extent of damage across a site and quantify potential remediation exposure.

This type of investigation is often essential when establishing liability or recovery of costs in commercial damage litigation.

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Expert Reports for Legal Proceedings

When instructed as a marine expert witness, Marine Check prepares clear, structured reports designed to assist solicitors, insurers and the courts in understanding the technical issues involved.

Expert reports typically address:

• The nature and extent of damage

• The most likely cause of damage or failure

• Whether damage is consistent with the events described

• Appropriate repair methodology and scope

• Estimated cost of rectification

• Whether repairs have been carried out in accordance with accepted marine practice

Our aim is to present technical findings in a way that is clear, logical and accessible to legal professionals who may not have specialist marine engineering knowledge.

Where required, further clarification reports or technical commentary can also be provided during the progression of a claim or dispute.

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Support for Marine Insurance and Commercial Claims

Many expert witness instructions arise from marine insurance claims or commercial loss recovery cases. In these situations, insurers or legal representatives may require independent technical evidence to determine:

• Whether damage occurred as claimed

• The cause and mechanism of failure

• The extent of necessary repairs

• The reasonable cost of remediation

Marine Check has experience working with insurance claim adjustment processes and commercial damage claims, providing the technical input necessary to support fair and accurate claim resolution.

This experience allows us to understand the practical requirements of insurers, loss adjusters and legal professionals involved in marine disputes.

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Practical Marine Industry Experience

One of the key advantages of Marine Check is our extensive background in marine engineering, boatyard operations and vessel refits.

Prior to establishing the surveying practice, this experience included:

• Managing boatyards and marine repair facilities

• Leading teams of marine engineers and technicians

• Overseeing complex vessel repair and refit projects

• Diagnosing structural and mechanical failures

• Project managing repair and restoration work

This practical experience provides valuable insight when assessing damage mechanisms, repair methods and realistic cost estimates.

For legal professionals and insurers, this means that opinions provided by Marine Check are grounded not only in surveying standards but also in real-world repair knowledge.

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Independent Marine Surveyor

Independence is essential when acting as an expert witness marine surveyor. Marine Check operates independently of boatyards, brokers and insurers, ensuring that all findings and opinions remain objective.

Our role is to provide balanced and evidence-based technical assessment, allowing legal teams and insurers to make informed decisions regarding liability, repair scope and settlement.

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Areas Covered

Marine Check provides expert witness marine surveying services across the South Coast of England and throughout the UK.

We regularly attend vessels located in:

• Cornwall

• Devon

• Dorset

• Isle of Wight

• Sussex

• Hampshire

Where required, inspections and expert witness services can also be provided nationally or internationally.

Marine Check provides independent yacht and vessel damage assessment services for insurers, vessel owners, boatyards and legal professionals. Following a collision, grounding, storm event or mechanical failure, a professional marine damage survey is essential to determine the extent of damage, identify likely causes and establish the appropriate scope of repairs.

As an independent marine surveyor, Marine Check specialises in the investigation and assessment of damage affecting yachts, motor vessels and commercial craft. Our surveys provide clear technical findings supported by photographic evidence and practical repair recommendations.

Operating across the South Coast of England and throughout the UK, we assist clients who require accurate technical assessment following marine incidents.

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Independent Marine Damage Surveys

When a vessel suffers damage, it is often difficult for owners or insurers to determine the true extent of structural or mechanical problems without a detailed inspection.

A professional marine damage survey provides a structured technical assessment of the vessel and helps to establish:

• The nature and extent of damage

• Whether damage is consistent with the reported incident

• Any hidden structural or mechanical issues

• The appropriate method of repair

• An estimated cost of rectification

Marine Check conducts thorough inspections designed to provide clear and reliable technical evidence for insurers, vessel owners and repair yards.

Our approach combines formal marine surveying practice with extensive practical experience in boatyard repairs and vessel refits, ensuring assessments reflect both technical standards and real-world repair considerations.

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Yacht Damage Assessment After Marine Incidents

Many vessels require a yacht damage assessment following incidents such as collisions, groundings or heavy weather. In many cases, the visible damage may only represent a small part of the overall structural impact.

Marine Check undertakes detailed vessel damage investigations following incidents including:

• Collision damage with other vessels or fixed structures

• Grounding damage affecting hull structures and appendages

• Storm damage resulting from severe weather conditions

• Impact damage from floating debris or mooring failures

• Mechanical or machinery failure

• Contamination or environmental damage

Through careful inspection and documentation, we identify both visible and underlying issues which may affect the vessel’s structural integrity, seaworthiness or long-term value.

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Vessel Damage Investigation and Cause Analysis

In addition to documenting damage, a key part of any vessel damage investigation is determining how the damage occurred.

Understanding the mechanism of failure or impact is often critical when dealing with marine insurance claims or commercial disputes.

During a damage assessment, Marine Check may consider factors such as:

• Impact patterns and structural deformation

• Stress fractures or laminate failure

• Propeller, shaft and running gear damage

• Internal structural distortion

• Evidence of prior repairs or deterioration

• Environmental or third-party influences

Where necessary, inspections may be supported by discussions with boatyards, review of repair history or consultation with specialist contractors.

The objective is to provide a clear technical explanation of damage causation, supported by professional opinion.

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Repair Specification and Cost Assessment

Once damage has been documented, the next step is determining how the vessel should be repaired.

Marine Check provides practical repair recommendations based on accepted marine engineering and boatbuilding practice.

Our reports typically include:

• Recommended repair methodology

• Identification of affected structural components

• Guidance for repair yards and contractors

• Outline estimates of repair costs

• Consideration of potential secondary damage

Because Marine Check has extensive experience within boatyard operations and vessel repair projects, our recommendations are grounded in practical knowledge of marine repair processes.

This ensures repair scopes are realistic, technically appropriate and commercially achievable.

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Marine Insurance Damage Surveys

A significant proportion of yacht and vessel damage assessments are carried out in support of marine insurance claims.

In these cases, insurers, loss adjusters or vessel owners require an independent marine insurance survey to determine the extent of damage and the likely cost of remediation.

Marine Check works with:

• Marine insurers

• Insurance loss adjusters

• Vessel owners and managers

• Boatyards and repair contractors

• Maritime solicitors

Our reports provide clear technical evidence to support the claims process and help ensure that repair decisions are based on accurate and objective assessment.

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Multi-Vessel Damage Events

Occasionally, damage incidents may affect multiple vessels within a marina or boatyard, such as contamination events, construction-related impacts or storm damage.

In these situations, Marine Check can undertake structured inspections across the site to:

• Identify all vessels affected by the incident

• Document the extent of damage across multiple craft

• Establish consistent repair requirements

• Provide overall remediation estimates

This type of survey can be particularly valuable when dealing with commercial claims, insurance recovery or third-party liability disputes.

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Practical Marine Industry Experience

Marine Check brings extensive hands-on marine industry experience to the assessment of vessel damage.

Prior to establishing the surveying practice, this experience included:

• Managing busy boatyards and repair facilities

• Leading teams of marine engineers and technicians

• Overseeing complex yacht refits and repair projects

• Diagnosing structural and mechanical failures

• Project managing significant repair works

This background provides valuable insight when evaluating damage mechanisms, repair requirements and realistic cost implications.

For insurers, vessel owners and legal professionals, this means our marine damage surveys reflect real-world marine engineering knowledge as well as professional surveying standards.

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Independent Marine Surveyor

As an independent marine surveyor, Marine Check provides impartial technical assessments without affiliation to boatyards, brokers or insurers.

This independence ensures that all findings and recommendations remain objective, balanced and evidence-based, providing confidence to all parties involved in a claim or dispute.

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Areas Covered

Marine Check undertakes yacht and vessel damage assessments throughout the South Coast of England and across the UK.

Regular service areas include:

• Cornwall

• Devon

• Dorset

• Hampshire

• Isle of Wight

• Sussex

Inspections can also be arranged nationwide or internationally when required.

Our terms can be found here: 

The boatyard/lift-out inspection package includes a general inspection of the vessel and all its components below the waterline upon haul-out. Hull integrity, coatings, osmosis testing, through hull fittings, seacocks, rudder bearings, propellor, cutlass bearings, drives, bellows, shaft seals and anodes are all inspected. This service is designed to give owners a clear understanding of the condition of their vessel’s underwater components, ensuring you make the most of your time ashore and that the boat is fully prepared before returning to the water.

When your vessel is lifted from the water, it’s the perfect opportunity for a thorough inspection. Our qualified marine surveyor will attend on-site to carry out a detailed assessment of your boat’s condition, from hull to fittings. We’ll identify any repairs or maintenance tasks that are best addressed while the vessel is out of the water, helping you save time, effort, and cost in the long run. With honest, expert advice, we aim to give you complete peace of mind — ensuring your boat is safe, seaworthy, and ready for the voyages ahead. (please note this is not a full condition survey, rather expert advice on repairs and maintenance recommendations).

Yes, for a site visit a minimum fee of £250 will be applicable. 

We provides independent marine insurance claim surveys for yachts, motor vessels and commercial craft. When a vessel suffers damage following a collision, grounding, storm event or mechanical failure, insurers and vessel owners often require a professional marine insurance survey to assess the extent of the damage and establish the appropriate scope of repairs.

As an independent marine insurance surveyor, Marine Check undertakes detailed inspections to document vessel damage, analyse the likely cause and provide clear technical reporting suitable for use within the marine insurance claims process.

Operating across the South Coast of England and throughout the UK, Marine Check supports insurers, loss adjusters, vessel owners and legal professionals requiring accurate and impartial vessel damage assessment for insurance claims.

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What Is a Marine Insurance Claim Survey?

A marine insurance claim survey is carried out when damage to a vessel may result in an insurance claim. The purpose of the survey is to establish the extent of damage, determine the likely cause and provide professional guidance regarding the repair process.

Marine Check provides structured inspections designed to deliver clear technical information that can assist insurers and claim handlers when evaluating a claim.

A typical marine insurance damage survey may establish:

• The nature and extent of vessel damage

• Whether damage is consistent with the reported incident

• Structural integrity of the vessel

• Damage to machinery or onboard systems

• The most appropriate repair methodology

• An estimate of repair costs

This information allows insurers and vessel owners to make informed decisions regarding repairs, claim settlement or further investigation.

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Yacht and Boat Insurance Damage Surveys

Marine Check regularly conducts yacht insurance claim surveys and boat insurance damage surveys following a wide range of marine incidents.

Damage surveys may be required following events such as:

• Collisions with other vessels or fixed structures

• Groundings affecting the hull, keel or rudder

• Storm damage caused by heavy weather

• Impact damage from debris or underwater obstructions

• Machinery or mechanical failure

• Contamination or environmental damage

• Damage occurring during lifting, transport or yard handling

Even when damage appears minor, a detailed vessel damage assessment is often necessary to identify hidden structural problems that may affect the vessel’s safety or long-term reliability.

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Vessel Damage Assessment for Insurance Claims

A professional vessel damage assessment for insurance involves more than simply documenting visible damage. Marine Check conducts detailed inspections to identify all affected components and understand the mechanism of damage.

During a marine insurance claim survey, the inspection may include:

• Examination of hull structures and laminates

• Inspection of keels, rudders and underwater appendages

• Assessment of propulsion systems including propellers and shafts

• Inspection of internal structural components

• Evaluation of mechanical systems and equipment

• Documentation of damage patterns and impact evidence

The aim is to establish a clear technical understanding of the incident and the resulting damage, providing insurers and vessel owners with reliable information on which to base repair decisions.

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Repair Scope and Cost Assessment

Once the damage has been documented, Marine Check provides guidance regarding the appropriate repair methodology and scope of work.

Our reports typically include:

• Identification of affected structural components

• Recommended repair methods in accordance with marine industry practice

• Consideration of potential secondary damage

• Outline estimates of repair costs

• Guidance for repair yards and contractors

Because Marine Check has extensive experience within boatyard operations and vessel repair projects, repair recommendations are grounded in practical marine engineering knowledge.

This ensures that repair scopes are realistic, technically appropriate and commercially achievable.

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Working With Insurers and Loss Adjusters

Many marine insurance claim surveys are instructed by insurers or insurance loss adjusters who require independent technical assessment of vessel damage.

Marine Check works with:

• Marine insurers

• Insurance loss adjusters

• Vessel owners making insurance claims

• Boatyards undertaking repairs

• Solicitors involved in marine disputes

Our role as an independent marine surveyor is to provide clear, objective technical findings that assist insurers in evaluating the claim and determining the appropriate course of action.

Where required, further inspections or supplementary reports can be prepared as the claim progresses.

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Practical Marine Industry Experience

Marine Check combines professional marine surveying qualifications with extensive hands-on experience in boatyard operations, vessel repairs and refit management.

Prior to establishing the surveying practice, this experience included:

• Managing marine repair facilities and boatyards

• Leading teams of marine engineers and technicians

• Overseeing complex vessel repair and refit projects

• Diagnosing structural and mechanical failures

• Project managing major repair works

This background provides valuable insight when carrying out marine insurance damage surveys, ensuring that technical assessments reflect both surveying standards and real-world repair considerations.

For insurers and vessel owners, this means that damage assessments and repair recommendations are both technically sound and practically achievable.

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Independent Marine Insurance Surveyor

Independence is essential when conducting a marine insurance claim survey. Marine Check operates independently of boatyards, brokers and insurers, ensuring that all findings remain objective and evidence-based.

Our surveys provide impartial technical information to assist insurers, vessel owners and repair yards in resolving claims efficiently and fairly.