The Next Big Thing in ISM ISPS MLC Internal Auditor Rotterdam
The job of a marine surveyor entails inspections, examinations, and surveys of marine vessels and reports on their condition and the products they are carrying. Typically, marine surveyors examine equipment that is intended for new or current vessels to make sure the equipment complies with certain standards. They also investigate and examine the structure, navigational equipment, and the overall condition of the vessel. Marine surveyors must conduct inspections that are required by the international conventions and domestic statutes by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
A marine surveyor will be required to measure the tonnage of a ship and survey the ships for load line assignment. They can also be asked to investigate marine disasters and may be asked to be present in court as an expert witness as well as answering the coroner's questions. They will also be asked to witness the testing of emergency and safety equipment to make sure it operates properly.
There are two ways of working as a marine surveyor: through a company and through an independent business. Depending on which you choose, your duties will differ. If working through a company, say the government, you may be asked survey a ships registration, survey foreign-bound ships as well as local ships, and enforce the standards of safety as established by the government. When working through the government, there are two forms of marine surveyors: Flag State and Port State. The category a marine surveyor falls under will determine which government they report to. A Flag State surveyor will report to the government that the ship is registered to, while a Post State surveyor will report to the government of the territory that the ship has entered.
A classification surveyor has duties that are similar to a government surveyor except they focus more on ensuring that vessels are built and maintained according to the proper standards of the vessels class. There are also marine surveyors for yachts and small crafts. They are mainly involved with vessels that are used for pleasure boating.
If working independently, one will be asked to take on numerous jobs such as examining the cargo or on-board conditions of a particular ship, investigating any form of vessel accidents and filling out the necessary insurance forms, and conducting draught surveys to figure out how much cargo has been lost in the accident. Many companies hire private surveyors. Surveyors are needed by any company that uses ships to transport its goods. In the U.S., there are plenty of opportunities for one to get into the marine surveying trade. State governments are often one of the biggest employers of surveyors. Private companies often hire private marine surveyors to ensure their vessels meet proper standards so they can keep trading.
There are numerous options to find jobs. For example, Boat U.S. is a website that provides a region-based directory of companies engaged in marine surveying. Contacting a company directly is often the best way to procure employment. Any kind of job site is another way to go to gain employment.
As far as the certification goes, they must enroll in an accredited institution that teaches people the proper standards of vessel operation. The students will learn how to properly identify problems with a vessel as well as other duties of the job. The US Surveyors Association is one of the major institutions that train people to become marine surveyors. After becoming certified, there are several institutions such as the National Association of Marine Surveyors that will help an individual advance their career and business by certifying them as a top marine surveyor.