Malta Yacht Surveys

Buying, insuring or financing a boat is a bigger commitment when you cannot see below the waterline, which is where an independent marine surveyor earns their fee. Malta Yacht Surveys is a British-run practice of marine surveyors and consultants that serves owners and buyers of boats and yachts in Malta and further afield. It is listed in our directory of marina services in Malta, and clients range from private owners to insurers, lawyers, banks and finance houses (see our overview of financial services in Malta).

Surveys and inspections

Pre-purchase surveys are the most common request. When you buy a new or second-hand vessel, you normally make an offer subject to survey: a price is agreed, a deposit is paid (usually 10% to a broker), and the sale goes ahead only if the survey is satisfactory. The surveyor inspects the hull, deck and structure, the safety equipment, the accommodation and onboard systems, the steering and stern gear, the rig and the engines, and the report ends with recommendations, conclusions and, if required, a valuation. The point of the survey is that second-hand boat sales are usually caveat emptor, buyer beware: sellers are often unaware of hidden defects, and once the sale completes there may be no recourse. If you want advice before you pay a deposit or sign a contract, the practice is happy to help.

Other services include damage surveys and assessments, commercial yacht and small commercial vessel surveys, statutory surveys, osmosis inspections for hulls affected by moisture, non-destructive testing and refit consultation. Detailed knowledge covers everything from fishing vessels and speed boats to luxury yachts and superyachts. Instruments include moisture meters for fibreglass and wooden hulls, ultrasound thickness gauges for steel or aluminium and infra-red cameras for machinery and leak testing. After inspection the client receives a written report that describes any defects and the suggested repairs.

Registration, tonnage and expert evidence

The practice is an appointed tonnage surveyor for the Malta, UK, Irish and Red Ensign Group registers of shipping, so it can help with registration under the British, Maltese and Irish flags. It also provides expert witness work, which suits lawyers and insurers handling disputes about a vessel's condition. Owners comparing cover can browse AIB Insurance Brokers, and our Malta tax guide for UK nationals is useful background. Our guide to relocating to Malta is a useful companion for owners bringing a boat to the island as part of a move.

The surveyor and independence

The principal surveyor, John Ross, is an engineering graduate who spent years as a Royal Naval Reserve deck officer and as a professional superyacht captain and engineer. He is a Government Surveyor of Ships for Malta, examines for the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency codes for small commercial vessels, and is a Certified Marine Investigator. Memberships include the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, the Nautical Institute and the International Institute of Marine Surveyors. He carries professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Anna handles administration and checks every report.

The practice, which undertakes regular continuous professional development and operates under a code of practice for yacht surveyors, works only for the client who instructs it, does not share results with brokers, lenders or insurers, and has no interest in selling boats, equipment or repairs. Its surveys are accepted by major lenders and insurers.

Where the work happens

Instructions have taken the surveyor to Europe, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Dubai, the USA, Mexico, Russia and Kazakhstan, so the vessel can be anywhere. Within Malta, boats sit in marinas and yards around the island, and our Valletta guide covers the capital's harbours. If you are chartering rather than buying, a nearby operator such as Big D Charters or Amazing Boat Trips Malta may suit, and our introduction to Malta helps with planning.

To commission a survey, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page, giving the vessel type, its location and the kind of survey, and we will pass your message to the surveyor.