Before you hire me (or any marine surveyor)………… Each one of the following requests has a specific purpose which I will be happy to discuss with anyone that asks.
1.	Anyone considering my services should first read one of the sample surveys on this site to understand exactly what I do and do not. Conditions and limitations may vary with specific requests. You should always see a sample report before hiring someone.
2.	Prior to confirming acceptance of your survey request I and most others will require the following information. - your name. - your mailing and e-mail address. - phone number. - type of vessel. - license number or name on vessel. - SPECIFIC location of vessel and mast if not stepped. - Access... keys on board ? owner or broker name and contact information for permission to board.
3.	Arrangements for lifting the boat from the water for bottom inspection are to be made by the purchaser, broker or owner. No surveyor I know of will make these arrangements.
4.	All surveyors will want to know about site conditions. I may survey a vessel in unfavourable conditions but you must accept that the report may not be as thorough. Neither I nor any surveyor I know will go to another location to pick up batteries and then lug them up a ladder precariously perched on ice to install them. Boats are surveyed as found. If you want the batteries or anything else installed for survey please arrange it with the broker. For 10% its the least he can do. FROZEN boats ..... Come January and February I need the work and of course it is up to you however, I strongly recommend against surveying frozen boats. Percussive soundings and moisture meter readings (and perhaps the surveyor) are unreliable in below zero conditions. All boats should be above 0°c for 48hrs. prior to survey. It is foolish to attempt to survey frozen boats with balsa core bottoms as this could be an extremely expensive error. - I do not shovel snow or chip ice, please have it removed. - Have as much loose gear removed from vessel as possible. - Have shore power and batteries connected. - Have tarpaulins or shrink wrap removed. - Wrapping or cover removed from mast. - All fuel, waste and water tanks are preferred full. - Any mechanically fastened sole panels, hatches, bulkheads or cabinetry under which you would like inspected should have fasteners removed. - All navigation, electrical and electronic equipment that you wish tested to be connected. - Some vessels (eg. Carver Riviera 28 and several express cruiser types) require more than one person to move fixtures in order to gain fullaccess to engine or other compartments. Such fixtures should be removed prior to start of survey.
5.	Ships papers to be laid out for inspection. ie.Transport Canada Registration or License and for US vessels, USCG Documentation or State Registration.
6.	During survey....... Someone other than the surveyor must pilot the vessel and perform all line handling duties whether for sea trial or simply moving the vessel to and from the travel lift. You are most welcome to attend my inspection however, your uncles, children, dogs, neighbours and buddy who knows everything about boats are not. .. Boats are complex animals and the last thing you want is a distracted surveyor. It's in your best interest to be present. In my perfect world the client would show up at the end of the survey to go over my findings. Remember that the survey is not over until the report is written as I will have much to mull over prior to putting it on paper. It is understandable that the current owner may also wish to be present however, I will not discuss my findings with them without your express request as I work only for you.
7.	Your report …. Ask when you will get the report. My marine survey reports will be issued before midnight same day as inspection for local surveys i.e. between Niagara-on-the-Lake and Pickering and south of Barrie. Outside of this area but within Southern Ontario reports will be issued before midnight next day. Out of province reports will be issued within 12hrs of returning to my desk. Reports are sent in a locked pdf. format that you may read but not print. Once payment is received (cheque or cash only) a printable copy will be forwarded to you.
8.	I may use your report as a sample of my work ( all personal information, license & HIN/MIC removed ). If you object, send me an e-mail and I will not use it.
Now that you know whats required by the surveyor you can ask these 10 QuestionsTo Ask Your Marine Surveyor for you. After that you can check out this list of Every Marine Surveyor In Ontario and their qualifications or go to this List of Every SAMS® Marine Surveyor In Canada.
Wallace Gouk AMS® Marine Surveyor Port Credit Marine Surveys
Captain Wallace Gouk AMS®, Survey reports accepted world wide by all financial and insurance institutions for sail and power boats servicing Ontario east, west, south and beyond including Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines, Grimsby, 50 Point, Stoney Creek, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Bronte, Port Credit, Mississauga, Toronto, Oshawa, Pickering, Port Hope, Coburg, Newcastle, Kingston, Brockville, Penetanguishene, Midland, Barrie and Keswick. I have also worked in New York State, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Virginia, Florida and the Bahamas.