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pre-purchase surveys
pre-purchase surveys - special package deal
Viewings on behalf of prospective purchaser
Winter or pre-launch maintenance check
Insurance surveys
Damage inspections and surveys
Sea trials
Tonnage surveys

Areas in Dorset covered
include:-


Axmouth
West Bay
Lyme Regis
Weymouth
Portland
Swanage
Poole
Wareham
Christchurch

Marine surveyors in Dorset

Marine Techniques is a nation-wide professional marine surveying practice, specializing in leisure and commercial vessels.

We provide high quality marine surveys and a first class personal service wherever the location.


All our surveyors qualifications are internationally recognized within the marine industry relating to boat construction, design, marine engineering and management. All are members of the I.I.M.S or Y.D.S.A. 

Marine Techniques surveyors have many years experience in the industry and have been appointed by various institutions including insurance companies, finance houses, M.C.A, M.E.C.A.L, Y.D.S.A and the R.Y.A.

Types of Survey:

We offer several types of survey, ranging from the full pre-purchase survey through to insurance and damage surveys. In addition we also carry out full engine examinations plus our specially tailored multi boat package.

Should you be considering buying a yacht, a small leisure craft or a commercial vessel we are here to help and will always take the time to discuss your specific requirements.

Below is a brief overview of the services we provide. Please click the links above on the left for more detailed information about our marine surveying services.

Pre purchase surveys: These are carried out in order to establish the true condition of any vessel. A pre-purchase survey will highlight defects within the structure and list any cosmetic work required. In addition our marine surveyors will give advice about the appropriate course of action for any repair work required and supply a valuation.

Insurance surveys: Many insurers require a survey before issuing a policy. A pre-purchase survey will normally cover this requirement. There are however, situations where an insurance survey will be more appropriate, for example, as a boat ages, the insurance company may require periodic surveys. This survey is will establish the safety and seaworthiness of any vessel prior to underwriting.

Damage Surveys: These are usually commissioned by an insurance company after an incident. An insurance company will wish to know that the vessel can be repaired within its market value. The survey will identify the type and extent of the damage, the cost of any repairs and a schedule of works to be carried out.

Engine inspections: A external visual examination is carried out which will identify any patent defects. Marine Techniques also have specialist marine engineers who can investigate any suspect internal components.

Three boat package: It is usual to consider more then one vessel at the initial stage of the buying process. Marine Techniques offers a discounted three boat inspection package. A preliminary inspection is carried out on three boats that are being considered by the purchaser.

Viewings: If you are some distance away from the boat you are considering, our marine surveyors can inspect the boat on your behalf. This is a preliminary inspection and the cost of it will be deducted from the pre-purchase survey fee if a full survey is later done on the boat.

Winter layup: An end of season schedule of work will be compiled which will include winterization of the engines and checking of the safety equipment and a report on the findings.

Pre launch checks: These can be carried out the start of the sailing season approaches. to establish the overall condition of a vessel and her safety and highlight any defects that may require attention prior to launch.

Sea Trials: These are more common for powerboats but sailing yachts also sometimes have sea trials. Engines are run over a length of time under load, All instrumentation and fittings are tested for functionality and wear.

Tonnage Surveys: A Tonnage survey is required if a yacht is to be placed on Part I of the Register of Shipping. Part I registration is frequently required by finance companies when a marine mortgage is taken out. The tonnage survey provides the official measurements of the vessel for the Register. A tonnage measurement must be authorised by a governing body such as the YDSA, or IIMS.


Marine Techniques will be happy to assist or discuss any requirements you may have for any boat requiring a marine survey

Our Terms of Survey

Contact us

Our marine surveyors are based in
Cornwall | Devon | Dorset | Hampshire | Sussex | Kent | Essex | Suffolk
North-East | Scotland | North Wales | South Wales & Bristol Channel
Inland - England | Inland - Scotland | Inland - Wales

© Marine Techniques 2008 - 2011

All Marine Surveyors within Marine Techniques that are based in Dorset have an in depth knowledge of the local area.

As our Marine Surveyors operate in their own locality they are familiar with the local services provided by the various ports and Marinas and can give advice and information concerning the facilities of each port around the coastline relating to a marine survey.

Marine Surveyors - Axmouth, Dorset

There are yacht and fishing craft moored at Axmouth but facilities are mostly limited to those provided by the local sailing club. Marine Techniques will be happy to assist in arranging cranage and storage for any boat requiring a marine survey in this area.

Marine Surveyors - Lyme Regis, Dorset

Lyme Regis is a small drying harbour, and although picturesque and a popular tourist destination, has very limited marine facilities. Marine Techniques will be happy to assist in arranging cranage and storage for any boat requiring a marine survey in this area.

Marine Surveyors - West Bay, Dorset

West Bay, near Bridport is a small partially drying harbour, which has very limited marine facilities at present, though there are plans to develop this. Marine Techniques will be happy to assist in arranging cranage and storage for any boat requiring a marine survey in this area.

Marine Surveyors - Weymouth, Dorset

Weymouth is a busy port on the south coast of England offering much more than just a UK stopover port for channel sailing. Weymouth offers a safe haven from the predominantly south westerly winds and enjoys one of the lowest tidal ranges in the UK, allowing for safe and easy access at all states of the tide.

Weymouth marina has 300 berths including visitors’ berths, and is accessible at all states of the tide, although it is beyond the lifting bridge in Weymouth town. There is also an adjacent council-run marina, but this has no visitors berths or facilities.

Marine Surveyors - Portland, Dorset

A brand new marina has now opened in Portland with extensive facilities giving 600 annual berths, plus 120 visitor berths, which are accessible at all states of the tide. It has full cranage facilities for boats up to 320 tonnes. A boatyard & extensive storage ashore are also available which are ideally suited to anyone commissioning a marine survey. Clarkes Boatyard at Castletown can also arrange lift-outs and carry out repairs and refits. Marine Techniques will be happy to assist in arranging cranage and storage for any boat requiring a marine survey.

Weymouth and Portland are proud to have been chosen as the sailing venue for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic games

Marine Surveyors - Poole, Dorset

Poole Harbour is one of the world’s largest natural harbours. Much of the shoreline is undeveloped and there are many inlets and small islands to explore by boat. Brownsea Island, the largest of the islands in the harbour, is owned by the National Trust and its woodland area is home to all sorts of wildlife. Out of the harbour to the east lies the Solent

There are many marinas in Poole, including the new boat haven on Town Quay, with 100 pontoon berths for visiting craft right in the town centre. Cobbs Quay Marina has over 1,000 berths at Hamworthy in Holes Bay. Parkstone Marina has 60 berths and swinging moorings in Parkstone Bay, with lifting facilities for craft up to 25 tonnes. Parkstone Marina also offers a dry berth system in which boat owners can have access to and use their boats at any time with short notice.

Lake Yard Marina
has 44 pontoon berths and 99 swinging moorings, plus lifting facilities for vessels up to approximately 60 ft. Salterns Marina has 285 berths, and yard facilities include a 45 tonne travel hoist for boats up to 20 meters and a 5 tonne gantry hoist for smaller boats up to 8.2 meters. There are also full yard facilities for winter storage ashore.

The well known Sunseeker yacht builders are based in Poole. The name Sunseeker is known world wide and is synonymous with prestige power boats. Sunseeker have a brokerage at their modern sales centre and experienced technicians based alongside their manufacturing facility to give a full range of marine services.

A few miles outside Poole harbour is Swanage, with a substantial number of yachts on moorings, but no lift-out or boatyard facilities except for very small boats. Marine Techniques will be happy to assist in arranging cranage and storage for any boat requiring a marine survey in the Poole area.

Marine Surveyors - Christchurch, Dorset

Christchurch is a shallow harbour east of Bournemouth. Rossiters Yachts offers boatyard and layup facilities near the town Centre.

© Marine Techniques 2008/2011