Profile of a Survey Report

A professional marine surveyor's report should carry the required information to the client to enable him to make his decision on the condition of a vessel, cargo, or a situation/circumstance as the case may be.

While the survey report remains the intellectual property of the writer, we, Constellation Marine Services, know that a survey report is the only deliverance through which the client is able to know the real facts of the survey and details available to be collected to serve the purpose for which the survey was nominated.

Most essential aspect of a good marine survey report is that it should be produced in good written English. A not "so well" constructed sentences can be read completely different from what was intended to be meant. This is where Constellation realized the need of a second pair of eyes, or a GUARDIAN ANGEL who does proofreading of all Survey reports prior to releasing them to their esteemed clients in order to ensure that the contents of the reports are correct and conveys exactly what is endeavored to be conveyed.

An area that was dealt with extensively by Constellation Marine Services, over the years is Digital photography with particular reference to data to be reported for visual support. But this has its pitfalls too, so that reports are in some instances turning up as a list of pictures with captions. Constellation believes the use of pictures which would emphasize or support the written text and therefore recommends inclusion of them only if it is necessary and where the reader would benefit by the fact that a picture would speak louder than words. We in Constellation take great care to ensure that a picture, when inserted, is capable of highlighting relevant details, situation, condition and its explanation. (Addition photos relating to the survey are included in a photo album as appendix to the report and/or kept on a digital file.)

The inclusion of an Executive Summary in a survey report cannot be overemphasized. An Executive Summary helps the reader to have a brief review and overall picture of the survey and outcome of the same. We can state with certainty that many decision-makers because of their busy schedule glance only through the summary to confirm if the purpose of the survey was achieved or not and further follow up if any requires. Spending sufficient time in drafting, reviewing, and revising an executive summary is of paramount importance.

A good survey report is one that indicates all aspects of the subject of the survey, that are of major importance either inspected with its condition noted or mentions those aspects not possible or accessible to be inspected. The surveyor must let the reader know what he has done, or more important was not able to accomplish. It should not reflect on the surveyor badly to be alleged that something wasn't not done, or couldn't be inspected or tested or looked into by him. Therefore, Constellation emphasizes this requirement to be complied with that much scrunity.

We also understand and appreciate that at times, readers of a survey report may not have a marine technical background. Our Survey reports are therefore not pedantic but written in a simple language at the same time maintaining professionalism and referring to appropriate marine terminology.

It is also generally believed that more the pages a report contains more exhaustive it will appear. However, our experience shows that a reader will be more appreciative of a report that carries those imperative factual information needed by him and is conveyed with an "economy of words."

An important feature of a well-written report is that it should be well organized and concise. Our narrative reports where necessary, are always categorical and describe the condition and recommendations (wherever required) completely. Our well-formatted form or checklist reports will generally omit narratives unless necessary to describe a condition that is not recorded in the form or checklist.

To end, we believe a well written marine survey report represents the dignity and reputation of the survey organization, the degree of its surveyor's professionalism and competence, upon which his/her work will be judged.

Our marine survey reports are often appreciated by many in the shipping industry. Our competence, ability and value reflects in all our survey reports. Our readers are assured of a report that will meet and exceed their expectation of understanding facts of the matter.

About the Author:

Capt. Vispy Dadimaster