Commercial vessel surveyor

Commercial vessel owners and operators, insurers, financiers and sometimes government or port bodies.

Fees per survey or day rates, often with repeat work on regular survey cycles, plus travel costs for regional jobs.

• Strong marine engineering, naval architecture or master or engineer background
• Knowledge of vessel safety rules and standards
• Technical report writing
• Self-discipline and record keeping

• Formal accreditation or recognition is likely needed for statutory surveys, and it can take significant time, qualifications and experience
• Rules differ by vessel class and by state or territory, so check what applies to your work
• Professional indemnity insurance, with higher cover likely for commercial work
• Liability if a survey misses a safety issue
• Work may cluster around survey cycles and depend on a few large clients

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on your equipment, insurance and reporting setup. Accreditation can also take significant time, qualifications and experience, so factor that in too.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your client base and the vessels you survey. Work may cluster around survey cycles and depend on a few large clients.

Formal accreditation or recognition is likely needed for statutory surveys, so check what applies. Rules differ by vessel class and by state or territory. Also check professional indemnity cover, with higher limits likely for commercial work, and your liability if a survey misses a safety issue.