How to Prepare Your Boat for an Insurance Marine Survey

Who This Checklist Helps

This guide is for Seattle–Tacoma and South Sound owners preparing for an insurance marine survey on a yacht, powerboat, or sailboat. It focuses on readiness items that support a thorough dockside or yard inspection and, when applicable, a brief sea trial.

Owner Prep: One-Week-Out Checklist

• Vessel cleanliness: Tidy the cabin, heads, lazarettes, and deck. Clear gear from bunks, lockers, and under-settee spaces so inspection ports and fasteners are visible.
• Full access to compartments: Empty and unlock engine spaces, battery boxes, fuel tank lockers, chain lockers, sail lockers, and any compartment with electrical or plumbing runs.
• Batteries charged and safe: Ensure starting and house banks are fully charged, properly secured, and accessible. Verify terminals are clean and labeled, with covers where required.
• Keys and controls: Supply keys for cabin, ignition, fuel fills, and lockable lockers. Confirm throttle/shift linkages operate freely.
• Fuel and water considerations: Maintain a safe fuel level (not necessarily full) to start engines/gensets if needed; ensure potable water tanks are not brim-full if haul-out is scheduled. Empty holding tanks if possible.
• Evidence of maintenance: Organize oil change records, impeller dates, rig inspections, and major service receipts. Place them in a folder for quick reference.

Documents to Have Ready

• Vessel registration and identification: Current registration/documentation and HIN/official number info.
• Prior surveys: Any previous insurance or pre-purchase surveys and invoices for corrective work.
• Maintenance logs: Engine hours, service intervals, winterization/commissioning notes.
• Equipment list: Up-to-date inventory of electronics, rigging, tenders, davits, anchors/rode, safety gear, and loose equipment you intend to insure.
• Receipts for upgrades: Proof of recent installations (electronics, batteries, charger/inverter, heating systems, standing/running rigging, thrusters) with dates and models.
• Compliance certificates (if available): ABYC/NMEA installation certificates, rig inspection letters, or gas system checks if you have them.

Safety Equipment Readiness

• Life jackets (PFDs): Sufficient quantity and appropriate types, in good condition and accessible.
• Flares/pyrotechnics: Check expiration dates and stow in a dry, labeled container.
• Fire extinguishers: Correct types and counts, mounted and accessible, with current inspection tags/gauges in the green.
• Alarms: Test CO, smoke, and LPG detectors. Show where sensors and shutoffs are located.
• Bilge pumps: Verify automatic and manual operation; expose float switches and wiring for inspection.
• Navigation lights: Confirm bulbs/LEDs work and lenses are clean; demonstrate operation.

Haul-Out vs. Dockside in Seattle–Tacoma

Many insurance marine surveys are completed dockside; however, a haul-out may be recommended or requested to assess underwater gear, hull condition, and thru-hulls.

• When to coordinate a haul-out: If your insurer or surveyor indicates bottom inspection is needed, or if it has been a long interval since the last haul. Book a local yard early—slots can tighten during peak season.
• What to expect dockside: Structural, electrical, machinery, plumbing, rigging (if applicable), and safety gear checks. Engines may be run briefly on the dock if safe to do so.
• What to expect at the yard: Visual hull inspection, anode condition, running gear, rudders, transducers, and thru-hulls/valves. Arrange yard rules, slings, and chocking with the office; bring your shore power cord and confirm water availability for wash-down if permitted.

Sea Trial Considerations

Insurance-focused surveys do not always require a sea trial. They may be relevant if operational issues are suspected, recent engine work needs verification, or the insurer/surveyor requests it.

• Before leaving the dock: Check weather and tides, confirm sufficient fuel and coolant levels, and ensure all navigation equipment powers up.
• Safe crew and permissions: Verify marina rules for departures and returns; ensure a qualified operator is aboard. Have PFDs on hand for all aboard.
• During the run: Be prepared to demonstrate starting, shifting, steering, basic navigation electronics, and cooling water flow.

Handling Modifications and Add-Ons

Proper documentation of upgrades supports valuation and compliance review.

• Record details: Capture install dates, model numbers, and installer info for electronics, charging systems, heaters, windlasses, solar, lithium batteries, and rigging.
• Show workmanship: Make wiring, mounts, lockers, and venting accessible. If manuals are onboard, tag them by system.
• Temporary removals: If you’re excluding high-value portable gear from the survey or insurance, note it on the equipment list.

Day-Of Logistics

• Marina/yard permissions: Notify the office that a surveyor is visiting (and that you have a haul-out, if applicable). Confirm parking, gate codes, and access hours.
• Power and water: Provide shore power as needed and ensure hose access if yard rules allow rinsing. Have adapters for common Seattle–Tacoma pedestal configurations.
• Owner or captain presence: Plan to be onboard or have a knowledgeable captain present to operate engines, demonstrate systems, and unlock compartments. This keeps the inspection efficient and complete.
• Clear pathways: Keep decks and interiors trip-free. Stage key documents and the equipment list at the nav station or salon table.