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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 Suffolk covered
include:-


Ipswich
Woolverstone
Shotley
Woodbridge
Harwich
Felixstowe
Lowestoft

Marine surveyors on the East Coast - Suffolk

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 Suffolk 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 - Ipswich, Suffolk

Ipswich is ideally situated for all marine activities as it is within easy reach of the North Sea shipping lanes. The Port of Ipswich handles considerable commercial traffic, and also offers a unique waterfront-conference facility and a leisure marina - Ipswich Haven Marina, an award-winning 270-berth facility situated in the Wet Dock at the Port of Ipswich. Standing at the head of the River Orwell, the marina is equipped with a host of facilities, including boatyard services, engine maintenance and dry storage.

Between Harwich and Ipswich are Woolverstone Marina, with 235 berths and cranage to 9.5 tonnes, and Suffolk Yacht Harbour with 550 berths and cranage to 60 tonnes. Fox's Marina is located at Ipswich on the River Orwell, and has lifting facilities up to 70 tonnes.

The River Orwell is lined by beautiful, scenic countryside and was voted by the Royal Yachting Association as one of the most picturesque rivers in the country. The cruising area includes the rivers Deben, Blackwater, Crouch and Thames, making Ipswich Haven Marina the ideal base for cruises to destinations such as Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Woodbridge and London. The River Orwell is also only short sail away from mainland Europe, and attracts many sailors from Holland, Belgium, Germany and France.

Adjacent is the River Stour which is particularly scenic. The Colne and Blackwater estuaries offer varied sailing, while turning north takes you towards the River Deben where you can cruise upriver past Ramsholt to the pretty town of Woodbridge.

A little further up the coast is the Ore/Alde River, where a fast tide sweeps you past Havergate Island, up to picturesque Orford and on to Aldeburgh. For those wishing to head further afield, Ostend is only 79 miles from Harwich. Holland and France are also within easy reach.

At the mouth of the River Orwell is Shotley marina, a fully equipped marina with a 35 ton travel hoist. There are 350 finger berths catering for vessels ranging in length from 7m to 14m and substantial lateral berthing for larger vessels and visitors.
Shotley Marine Services at Shotley Marina offers boatyard services.

Marine Surveyors - Felixstowe, Suffolk

The Port of Felixstowe, in Felixstowe, Suffolk is the UK's busiest container port, dealing with 35% of the country's container cargo. It was developed following the abandonment of a project for a deep-water harbour at Maplin Sands. In 2005 the port of Felixtowe was ranked as the 28th busiest container port in the world and Europe's sixth busiest.

Marine Surveyors - Woodbridge, Suffolk

The Tidemill Yacht Harbour is located in the town of Woodbridge in Suffolk, towards to top of the river Deben. Tidemill Marina is a long established marina which has extensive facilities which include full yard services, GRP repairs, painting and varnishing, Shipwright and woodworking, osmosis preparation and treatment.

Marine Surveyors - Lowestoft, Suffolk

Lowestoft is officially the most easterly town in Britain. At the centre of Lowestoft visitors can discover the once flourishing fishing port, two yacht marinas, fish market, docks and traditional smokehouses together with a Heritage Vessel Mooring, which has a changing programme of visiting craft throughout the year.

Lowestoft Haven Marina
has berthing facilities and a 70 tonne ‘wise’ boat hoist. Lowestoft Marina can haul, launch, load and unload vessels of up to 27.5 m (90 ft) in length and with a beam of up to 6.1 (20 ft) in addition there are 140 fully-serviced pontoon berths and boat storage ashore or afloat,

There is also the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk marina, operated by the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club, with visitors berths and facilities for launching and lifting smaller boats.

© Marine Techniques 2008/2011