Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

Marine Surveying and Warranty Surveying glossary

The warranty-surveying vocabulary: class and statutory surveyors, acceptance and accident-investigation surveys, acoustic-emission testing, adjusted draft surveys, and the marine-warranty attendances that approve high-value marine operations. Grounds each term in the survey type and the insurer or operator interest it serves.

315 defined terms.

Showing 250 on this page (page 1 of 2).

A

ABS Surveyor: A field surveyor employed by the American Bureau of Shipping who attends vessels for classification surveys, statutory inspections, and ISM/ISPS audits on behalf of flag administrations.
Acceptance Survey: Inspection on delivery of a newbuild or chartered vessel confirming compliance with contract specifications.
Accident Investigation Survey: A forensic attendance by a marine surveyor following a casualty to gather physical evidence, interview crew, and produce a factual report for insurers, owners, or flag state.
Acoustic Emission Testing Surveyor: A non-destructive testing specialist who monitors high-frequency stress waves in tanks, pipelines, and pressure vessels during in-service inspection.
Adjusted Draft Survey: A draft survey corrected for trim, list, hog or sag, density of dock water, and deductibles to derive the true displacement-based cargo quantity.
Admiralty Surveyor: An older British term for a government-appointed surveyor of merchant shipping, the role now largely held by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Advance Cargo Survey: A pre-loading inspection arranged by shippers, traders, or insurers to confirm cargo quality, packaging, and quantity before it leaves the supplier's premises.
Affreightment Survey: An inspection carried out under a contract of affreightment to verify that vessel and cargo comply with the agreed commercial and technical terms.
AMSA Surveyor: A marine surveyor accredited by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to issue domestic commercial vessel certificates under the National Law.
AMSPEC: An American independent inspection and laboratory company providing petroleum, petrochemical, and bulk cargo quantity and quality surveys at terminals worldwide.
Anchor Handling Survey: An inspection of the rigging, winches, and deck arrangements of an anchor handling tug supply vessel prior to a mooring deployment campaign.
Annual Survey: Survey required at intervals not exceeding three months either side of each anniversary date of a certificate.
Antifouling Survey: An inspection of the underwater hull paint system in drydock to confirm condition, coverage, and compliance with the AFS Convention.
Appendage Survey: A close-up examination of rudders, propellers, bow thrusters, sea chests, and other underwater fittings during a docking survey.
Approval Survey: An attendance by a class or statutory surveyor to verify that an installation, modification, or new equipment meets the approved drawings and applicable rules.
Arrival Condition Survey: An on-arrival inspection of vessel and cargo at the discharge port to record condition for charterers, receivers, or P&I clubs.
Asbestos Survey: A specialist inspection to identify, sample, and document asbestos-containing materials on board, increasingly required under SOLAS II-1/3-5.
Assessment Survey: A high-level technical appraisal of a vessel's condition, often commissioned by financiers, buyers, or managers contemplating acquisition or refinancing.
Attending Surveyor: The individual surveyor physically present on board during an inspection, as distinct from the firm or principal commissioning the work.
Audit Survey: A documentary and physical verification of a management system, certification, or operational standard, typically under ISM, ISPS, or MLC frameworks.
Average Adjuster Survey Liaison: The coordination between the appointed average adjuster and casualty surveyors to gather evidence supporting general average or particular average claims.

B

Baltic Surveyors Group: A loose grouping of independent surveyors active in Baltic and Northern European ports handling sale and purchase, condition, and cargo surveys.
Bareboat Charter Survey: Inspection at delivery and redelivery under a demise charter party.
Barge Survey: Inspection of dumb or self-propelled barges for condition, lashings, and freeboard.
Berthing Survey: Pre-arrival inspection of berth, fenders, bollards, and clearance for safe berthing.
Bilge Survey: Inspection of bilge wells, alarms, suction lines, and oily water management.
Black Carbon Survey: An emerging emissions inspection focused on sampling exhaust particulates from marine diesel engines under IMO discussions on Arctic shipping impacts.
Blasting and Coating Survey: A surface preparation and paint inspection at newbuilding or repair yards, performed by NACE or FROSIO certified coating inspectors.
BMT Salvage: The casualty response and salvage consultancy arm of the BMT Group, providing naval architects and surveyors to LOF and SCOPIC operations.
Boiler survey: Class survey of boilers, typically twice in five years.
Bottom Survey in Lieu of Drydocking: An underwater inspection by approved divers using high-resolution video to substitute for an intermediate drydocking under class rules.
Braemar: A London-listed shipping services group offering shipbroking, marine surveying, and energy loss adjusting services, including the operations historically known as Braemar Howells and Braemar…
Brookes Bell: A British marine consultancy founded in 1903 providing master mariners, naval architects, metallurgists, scientists, and warranty surveyors for casualty and risk work.
Bunker Quality Survey: The drawing of representative samples during bunkering for laboratory testing against ISO 8217 specifications and MARPOL Annex VI sulfur limits.
Bunker Quantity Survey: A measurement exercise to determine the quantity of fuel oil on board before and after bunkering, including soundings, temperature, and density corrections.
Bunker survey: Quantity and quality measurement at delivery and redelivery.
Bureau Veritas: French classification society delegated by some flag States to approve MET programs and issue MLC certificates.
Bureau Veritas Inspection: The commodities and industrial inspection arm of the Bureau Veritas Group, distinct from the classification society, providing cargo, quantity, and quality surveys.
Burness Corlett Three Quays: A British naval architecture and marine consultancy practice providing surveying, design review, and expert witness services.
Buyer's Survey: A pre-purchase inspection arranged on behalf of a prospective vessel buyer to assess physical condition, class status, and likely repair liabilities.

C

Cabin Survey: An accommodation condition inspection covering crew and passenger quarters, sanitary spaces, galleys, and air conditioning under MLC and SOLAS requirements.
Calibration Survey: The verification of ullage tables, sounding tapes, flow meters, and draft marks against authoritative reference standards, often required for custody transfer.
Camin Cargo Control: A US-headquartered independent inspection company specializing in petroleum, petrochemical, and biofuels cargo surveys and laboratory testing.
Cargo Damage Survey: Inspection establishing nature, extent, and cause of cargo damage.
Cargo Outturn Survey: A discharge-port quantity and condition verification to support claims for shortage, contamination, or damage against carriers or insurers.
Cargo Securing Survey: A pre-departure check of lashings, twistlocks, dunnage, and securing arrangements against the approved Cargo Securing Manual.
Cargo Survey: A general term covering inspections at loading, in transit, or at discharge to verify quantity, quality, condition, and stowage of cargo.
Cargo Tank Survey: A close-up examination of cargo tank structure, coatings, and fittings on tankers, particularly under the Enhanced Survey Programme for double-hull tankers.
Casualty Survey: Investigation following grounding, collision, fire, or other marine casualty.
CCS Surveyor: A surveyor employed by China Classification Society to carry out classification and statutory work on Chinese-flag and other vessels.
Certificate Survey: An inspection associated with issuance or renewal of statutory certificates such as the Safety Construction or Load Line certificate.
Charterer's Representative Survey: An on-board attendance by a surveyor acting for the charterer to monitor cargo operations, performance, and compliance with charter terms.
Class Maintenance Survey: Any survey performed under the rules of a recognized classification society to maintain the vessel's class notation in force.
Class Renewal Survey: Five yearly comprehensive class survey equivalent to Special Survey.
Classification survey: Survey by the recognized organization for class.
Cleanliness Survey: An inspection to confirm that holds, tanks, or equipment meet specified cleanliness standards before loading sensitive cargoes.
Coating Survey: An inspection of protective coating systems in ballast tanks, cargo holds, or void spaces against PSPC standards under SOLAS II-1.
Cold Layup Survey: A condition and preservation inspection for a vessel placed in long-term laid-up status, often with reduced manning and shore connections.
Commencement of Voyage Survey: A pre-sailing attendance to verify cargo stowage, securing, stability, and seaworthiness at the load port.
Commercial Survey: Survey arranged by owners, charterers, or insurers outside statutory regime.
Commissioning Survey: An inspection during installation and start-up of new systems or equipment to verify performance against design specifications.
Condition Assessment Program: The American Bureau of Shipping scheme under which qualifying ships receive a detailed condition assessment and rating beyond minimum class requirements.
Condition assessment scheme: CAS, scheme for older tankers under MARPOL.
Condition Survey: Overall assessment of structural and machinery condition for insurance or sale.
Constellation Marine Services: A United Arab Emirates-based independent marine surveying and consultancy firm operating across the Middle East and Indian subcontinent.
Container Survey: An inspection of intermodal containers against IICL or ISO standards to determine condition, repair needs, or suitability for cargo.
Continuous Hull Survey: A class arrangement under which special survey items are spread across a five-year cycle rather than concentrated in a single attendance.
Continuous Machinery Survey: A class arrangement allowing machinery items to be surveyed progressively during the five-year cycle, often with chief engineer participation.
Contractual Survey: An inspection carried out specifically to satisfy a contractual obligation, such as those required under sale agreements or charter parties.
Cooper Specialty Surveying: A generic term for niche surveying disciplines such as glass-reinforced plastic vessels, wood hulls, or wind-assisted propulsion systems.
Corrosion Survey: A targeted inspection focused on identification, mapping, and gauging of corroded structural elements in hull, tanks, or machinery spaces.
Cotecna: A Swiss-headquartered inspection, testing, and certification company providing pre-shipment inspection and bulk cargo surveys across emerging markets.
Cruise Ship Survey: A specialist condition and safety inspection of passenger vessels addressing fire safety, life saving, sanitation, and accessibility under SOLAS Chapter II-2.
Custody Transfer Survey: A precise measurement attendance, typically for oil or LNG, used as the basis for invoicing between buyer and seller at the loading or discharge terminal.

D

Damage Stability Survey: Verification that damage stability information is on board and current.
Damage Survey: Investigation into hull, machinery, or cargo damage and probable cause.
Decarbonization Readiness Survey: An emerging consultancy product assessing a vessel's suitability for retrofits such as wind-assist, alternative fuels, or energy-saving devices.
Deck Cargo Survey: A specialist inspection of cargo carried on weather decks, focusing on securing, weather protection, and stability impact.
Deck Survey: An inspection of decks, hatch covers, cranes, mooring equipment, and deck outfitting for condition, corrosion, and operational integrity.
Delivery Survey: Condition survey at vessel delivery under sale or charter contract.
Demise Charter Survey: See bareboat charter survey, an inspection at the start or end of a demise charter to record full physical and operational condition.
Density Survey: A determination of dock water density used in adjusting draft survey calculations for accurate cargo quantity determination.
Detention Survey: An inspection following port state control detention to verify rectification of deficiencies before the ship is released.
Diving Survey: An underwater inspection by certified commercial divers, with or without video, to assess hull condition, damage, or fouling.
DNV Surveyor: A field surveyor employed by DNV (formed by the merger of Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd) for classification and statutory work.
Docking Survey: An out-of-water inspection of the underwater hull, rudders, propellers, sea valves, and anodes, normally required twice in any five-year cycle.
Documentary Survey: A desk review of certificates, manuals, and records, sometimes combined with limited onboard verification, often used for initial scoping.
Draft survey: Cargo weight determination by hydrostatic calculation.
Drilling Rig Move Survey: A marine warranty attendance covering the towage or self-propelled relocation of offshore drilling units between locations.
Dropped Object Survey: Inspection of overhead structures near helideck for fall hazards.
Dry Cargo Survey: A general class of inspections covering bulk and breakbulk dry cargoes from preloading to outturn.
Drydock Specification Survey: An attendance to compile, review, and police the work specification for a planned drydocking on behalf of owners or managers.

E

Electrical Survey: Inspection of generators, switchboards, cables, and emergency power systems.
Emergency Response Survey: A surveyor attendance during a casualty to advise responders and gather contemporaneous evidence for subsequent reports.
Engine Survey: A class examination of main and auxiliary engines including crankshaft deflections, bearing clearances, and combustion performance.
Enhanced Survey Programme: ESP, IMO mandatory survey regime for bulk carriers and oil tankers.
Equipment Survey: An inspection of specific shipboard equipment such as cranes, winches, anchor windlasses, or lifeboat launching gear.
Escort Tug Survey: A pre-engagement inspection of harbor and escort tugs verifying bollard pull, fendering, and indirect mode capability for tanker escort duties.
ESP: The Enhanced Survey Programme under IMO Resolution A.1049(27) requiring detailed structural surveys of oil tankers, chemical tankers, and bulk carriers.
Exclusion Clause Survey: A condition survey performed by hull and machinery underwriters to consider removal of warranty exclusions or premium loadings.
Expert Witness Survey: A specialist attendance and reporting role in which the surveyor produces evidence suitable for arbitration or court proceedings.

F

Family Owner Survey: A condition inspection commissioned by private or family shipping owners ahead of intra-group transfers or refinancing.
Final Inspection Survey: A close-out attendance at the completion of repairs, conversions, or newbuilding to confirm satisfactory completion to specification.
Fire Damage Survey: Investigation of fire extent, cause, and structural impact.
Fitness for Tow Survey: A marine warranty attendance verifying that a barge, rig, or vessel is suitable for the proposed towage, including hull integrity, stability, and rigging.
Flag State Survey: An inspection by or on behalf of a flag administration to issue or renew statutory certificates under SOLAS, MARPOL, and Load Line.
Floating Production Storage and Offloading Suitability Survey: A specialist assessment of an FPSO unit's continued suitability for service at a given field, considering hull condition, mooring, and topsides.
Foreign-Going Survey: A documentary and physical verification specific to vessels engaged on international voyages, particularly relevant under UK MCA practice.
Forensic Survey: A scientific and engineering investigation of evidence after a casualty, often combining metallurgy, naval architecture, and operational analysis.
FPSO Suitability Survey: See floating production storage and offloading suitability survey.
Freeboard Survey: Verification of load line marks, freeboard, and statutory openings.
Fuel Oil Survey: A bunkering attendance combining quantity, temperature, density, and sampling for ISO 8217 quality verification.
Functional Survey: An inspection focused on the operational performance of equipment such as cranes, mooring winches, or fire-fighting systems under load or test conditions.

G

Gas Carrier Survey: IGC Code specific survey of cargo containment and gas handling systems.
Gas Free Survey: Testing of tank atmospheres for hydrocarbon, oxygen, and toxic gases prior to hot work or entry.
General Average Survey: Surveyor's assessment supporting average adjuster's calculations.
GL Noble Denton: The legacy brand of Germanischer Lloyd's noble Denton consulting and warranty surveying arm, now part of DNV Energy Systems.
Government Inspection Survey: A pre-shipment inspection ordered by a buyer government to verify quantity, quality, and tariff classification of imported goods.
Grab Damage Survey: An inspection of cargo hold tank tops and structures damaged by stevedore grab handling during bulk cargo discharge.
Guarantee Survey: A post-delivery attendance during the newbuilding guarantee period to inspect emerging defects and coordinate yard rectification.

H

Hatch Cover Survey: Inspection of weathertight covers including seals, cleats, and panels.
Hazardous Material Survey: An identification and inventory of asbestos, PCB, ozone-depleting substances, and other regulated materials, often supporting the IHM under the Hong Kong Convention.
Heavy Lift Survey: A specialist warranty attendance covering rigging design review, load tests, weather windows, and lift execution for project cargo moves.
Helideck Survey: An inspection of offshore and shipboard helidecks against CAP 437 or equivalent standards for structural and operational suitability.
High Voltage Survey: A specialist electrical inspection of medium and high voltage systems on cruise ships, LNG carriers, and offshore units.
Hire Off Survey: See off-hire survey, an inspection at redelivery from a time charter.
Hire On Survey: See on-hire survey, an inspection at delivery into a time charter.
Hold Cleanliness Survey: A pre-loading inspection of cargo holds against standards such as grain clean, hospital clean, or shippers' specific protocols.
Hold Survey: A general structural and operational inspection of cargo holds for bulk carriers and general cargo ships.
Hot Work Permit Survey: A safety attendance verifying that areas, atmospheres, and procedures meet conditions for cutting or welding under shipyard or shipboard rules.
Hull and Machinery Survey: A condition inspection commissioned by hull and machinery underwriters to assess insurability and identify required repairs.
Hull Gauging Survey: A thickness measurement programme performed by approved firms using ultrasonic equipment to determine remaining steel thickness for class.
Hull Survey: A class or commercial inspection focused on the structural condition of plating, framing, internals, and appendages.
Hyperbaric Survey: A specialist inspection of saturation diving systems, chambers, and life support equipment, often under IMCA standards.

I

Idwal Marine Services: A British independent marine surveying company headquartered in Cardiff providing standardized inspection reports for owners, charterers, and financiers worldwide.
IMS: International Marine Surveyors, a generic abbreviation used by several independent surveying firms operating globally in cargo and condition work.
In-Service Survey: Any inspection performed while the vessel remains in commercial service rather than in shipyard or laid-up condition.
Inchcape Marine: The marine inspection and survey arm of the Inchcape Shipping Services group providing port-based attendance worldwide.
Initial Survey: First survey before issuance of a certificate under SOLAS I/7-10.
Insulation Resistance Survey: An electrical inspection measuring insulation resistance of cables, switchboards, and generators as part of class or owner maintenance.
Insurance Survey: A condition or risk inspection commissioned by hull, machinery, or P&I insurers to assess underwriting exposure.
Intermediate Survey: Class survey between Special Surveys.
Intertek Caleb Brett: The cargo inspection division of the Intertek Group providing petroleum, petrochemical, and bulk commodity surveys at ports worldwide.
Inventory of Hazardous Materials Survey: A physical sampling and documentary inspection to produce the IHM required under the Hong Kong Convention and EU Ship Recycling Regulation.
ISM Audit Survey: A safety management system audit under the International Safety Management Code, leading to issue of the Safety Management Certificate.
ISPS Audit Survey: A security audit under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code leading to issue of the International Ship Security Certificate.
Issuing Surveyor: The signatory surveyor who issues the formal certificate or report on behalf of the attending firm or recognized organization.

J

Jack-Up Move Survey: A marine warranty attendance covering rig moves, jacking operations, and site assessment for jack-up drilling units.
Joint Hull Survey: A condition inspection conducted jointly by leading underwriters under London market hull and machinery practices.
Joint Survey: Inspection attended by both load and discharge interests.

K

KR Surveyor: A field surveyor employed by the Korean Register of Shipping for classification and statutory work on Korean-flag and international vessels.

L

Laboratory Survey: A documentary and physical inspection of shoreside or shipboard laboratories supporting cargo sampling, particularly under petroleum custody transfer protocols.
Laid-Up Survey: A periodic condition inspection of vessels in cold or warm layup to monitor preservation measures and detect deterioration.
Lashing Survey: Inspection of cargo securing arrangement and equipment.
Layup Survey: Inspection before, during, and after vessel layup; required by insurers.
Lifeboat Survey: A statutory inspection of lifeboats, davits, release gear, and on-load release hooks under SOLAS Chapter III and the LSA Code.
Lifting Appliance Survey: A class and statutory inspection of cranes, derricks, winches, and lifting gear under the Code of Safe Working Practices and applicable conventions.
Lloyd's Agent Survey: An attendance by a Lloyd's Agent on behalf of underwriters at distant ports to verify cargo condition or vessel casualty details.
Lloyd's Register Surveyor: A field surveyor employed by Lloyd's Register Group to perform classification, statutory, and additional inspection services.
LNG Carrier Survey: A specialist class and operational inspection of liquefied natural gas carriers covering containment, custody transfer, and IGC Code compliance.
Load Line Survey: Annual and renewal survey of conditions of assignment.
Loading Computer Survey: A verification of onboard loading computer software, sensors, and outputs against the approved trim and stability documentation.
Loading Master Survey: A liaison role at oil and gas terminals where a contracted loading master oversees cargo transfer in coordination with the ship's officers.
Loading Survey: An attendance during cargo loading to monitor sequence, quantity, securing, and trim against approved loading manuals.
LOC Group: London Offshore Consultants, a global marine and engineering consultancy specializing in marine warranty surveying for offshore construction, towage, and renewables.
London Offshore Consultants: See LOC Group, founded in 1979, providing warranty survey and engineering services across offshore oil, gas, and wind sectors.
Loss Adjuster Survey Liaison: The interaction between the appointed marine loss adjuster and field surveyors providing technical evidence supporting an insurance claim.

M

Machinery Damage Survey: Investigation into machinery breakdown and required repairs.
Machinery Survey: periodical survey of propulsion, auxiliary and electrical machinery.
Manning Survey: A documentary and physical verification of crew composition, certification, and accommodation under MLC and STCW requirements.
Marine Cargo Survey: A general term embracing pre-loading, loading, in-transit, and discharge cargo inspections under marine insurance practice.
Marine Engineering Survey: A condition and performance inspection of propulsion, auxiliary, and electrical systems performed by qualified marine engineers.
Marine Surveyor: A professionally qualified individual who inspects vessels, cargoes, and marine structures and reports findings for owners, insurers, charterers, or authorities.
Marine Warranty Surveyor: Independent assurance role on heavy lift, tow, and salvage moves.
Maritime Mutual Survey: An entry condition survey performed by or for a fixed-premium hull or P&I provider such as Maritime Mutual Insurance Association.
Matthews Daniel: A specialist marine warranty surveying firm with origins in the energy sector, providing offshore construction and towage attendance worldwide.
MCA Surveyor: A field surveyor of the United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency conducting flag state and port state inspections.
ME Surveying: Marine and Energy Surveying, an independent warranty and consultancy practice serving the offshore renewables and oil and gas sectors.
MOC Survey: A management of change inspection at offshore installations verifying that modifications to equipment or procedures meet engineering control requirements.
Mooring Survey: An inspection of mooring lines, fairleads, bitts, and winches under OCIMF Mooring Equipment Guidelines for tanker terminal acceptance.
MOU Move Survey: A marine warranty attendance for a mobile offshore unit transit, covering preparation, towage, and arrival at the new location.
MWS: See marine warranty surveyor, the independent technical authority appointed under offshore construction or marine insurance arrangements.

N

NACE Coating Inspector: A coating inspection professional certified by the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (formerly NACE International) frequently engaged in newbuilding paint surveys.
NDT Survey: Non Destructive Testing survey covering MPI, DPT, UT, RT, and ET methods.
Newbuilding Survey: surveys during construction culminating in delivery and assignment of class.
NKK Surveyor: A field surveyor employed by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, also branded ClassNK, for classification and statutory work.
Noble Denton: A historic London-based marine warranty and consultancy practice now operating within DNV under its energy systems division.
Non-Class Survey: Any commercial inspection performed outside the formal class rulebook, including condition, sale and purchase, and cargo work.
Normal Wear and Tear Survey: A condition assessment recording deterioration consistent with age and trade as distinct from damage or defect.

O

Occasional Survey: Class survey arranged outside scheduled cycle for damage or modifications.
Off-Charter Survey: See off-hire survey, the inspection at redelivery from a time charter.
Off-hire survey: Joint survey at redelivery.
Off-Spec Survey: A cargo inspection triggered when sampling indicates the parcel does not meet contractual specifications, supporting claims or rejection.
Offshore Construction Survey: A warranty attendance covering installation of jackets, topsides, subsea structures, and pipelines in offshore field developments.
Oil Pollution Survey: An inspection of oil pollution prevention equipment under MARPOL Annex I, including IOPP certification work.
Oil Record Book Survey: A documentary inspection of the Oil Record Book entries against operational records during port state or class attendances.
On-Charter Survey: See on-hire survey, the inspection at delivery into a time charter.
On-Hire Bunker Survey: A specific quantity and quality determination of bunkers at the moment of delivery into a time charter, separating it from the broader on-hire survey.
On-Hire Survey: Joint survey at delivery into time charter recording condition and bunkers.
Operational Survey: An inspection focused on operational systems and procedures as distinct from structural or machinery condition.
Outturn Survey: Final survey at discharge to determine quantity and condition.
Owner's Representative Survey: An attendance by a surveyor acting on behalf of an owner during repairs, modifications, or newbuilding work at a third-party yard.

P

P&I Condition Survey: An entry condition inspection performed by or for a Protection and Indemnity club before accepting a vessel into mutual cover.
P&I Correspondent Survey: Local survey appointed via P&I club correspondent network.
Paint Survey: A coating condition inspection in tanks, holds, or external hull, often referencing PSPC standards under SOLAS for ballast tanks.
Passenger Vessel Survey: A statutory and class inspection of passenger ships addressing SOLAS Chapter II-1, II-2, III, and the Special Trade Passenger Ships Agreement.
Performance Survey: A measurement campaign documenting vessel speed, fuel consumption, and trim performance, often during charter performance disputes.
Periodical Survey: HKC intermediate or renewal survey of the IHM Certificate.
Piling Survey: A warranty attendance for offshore pile driving operations covering hammer selection, refusal criteria, and verticality verification.
Pilot Boat Survey: A condition and operational inspection of pilot boats, often performed under harbor authority standards and IMPA recommendations.
Pipeline Survey: An attendance for laying, burying, or trenching subsea pipelines, frequently a marine warranty function.
Port Captain Survey: A liaison and oversight role by an owner's port captain documenting cargo operations and acting as on-the-ground manager during port calls.
Port State Control Survey: An inspection by port state authorities under regional MOU regimes such as Paris, Tokyo, or Caribbean MOU.
Post Discharge Survey: Inspection of empty holds for residues and damage after discharge.
Post-Casualty Survey: A general term for any attendance after an incident to record damage and gather evidence for technical and legal purposes.
Pre-Loading Survey: Inspection of holds, lashings, and cargo condition before loading.
Pre-Purchase Survey: A detailed condition inspection commissioned by a prospective buyer of a vessel, often combining hull, machinery, and documentary review.
Pre-Risk Survey: A condition survey performed before commencement of an insurance policy to record baseline condition and recommend risk improvements.
Pre-Shipment Inspection: Quantity and quality check at production or warehouse before shipment.
Pre-Tow Survey: A specific marine warranty inspection confirming readiness of a barge, rig, or vessel for an upcoming towage operation.
Project Cargo Survey: A specialist attendance for non-containerized industrial cargo, covering rigging, stowage, securing, and route survey.
Propeller Polishing Survey: An inspection following underwater propeller polishing to confirm restoration of blade surface finish for fuel efficiency.
PSC Surveyor: A port state control officer employed by a maritime authority to inspect foreign-flag vessels under regional memoranda.
Pump Room Survey: A safety and condition inspection of tanker pump rooms covering ventilation, gas detection, and lighting integrity.
Pumpman Survey: A practical inspection associated with cargo pumping performance and competence on tankers, sometimes part of charterer vetting.

Q

Quality Survey: An inspection focused on the chemical or physical quality of cargo, often by sampling and laboratory testing.
Quantity Survey: A measurement-focused attendance to determine cargo quantities for custody transfer, bill of lading, or claim purposes.
Quay Survey: A pre and post-call inspection of berths, fenders, and bollards to allocate responsibility for damage between vessel and terminal.

R

Receivers' Survey: An attendance commissioned by cargo receivers at the discharge port to record outturn condition and quantity.
Recurrent Survey: A general term for any inspection that recurs on a fixed cycle, typically associated with class or statutory regimes.
Refit Survey: An attendance during major refit work covering specification, work in progress, and final acceptance.
Refrigerated Cargo Survey: Cold treatment and temperature verification during loading and voyage.
Renewal Survey: Survey at intervals not exceeding five years.
Repair Survey: Class survey covering repairs to damaged or wasted structure.
Restoration Survey: An inspection following extensive damage repairs to verify restoration to class and original specification.
Rig Move Survey: See drilling rig move survey, the warranty attendance for relocation of offshore drilling units.
RightShip Inspection: A standardized condition inspection scheme operated by RightShip used by major dry bulk charterers as part of vetting.
RINA Surveyor: A field surveyor employed by Registro Italiano Navale for classification and statutory work on Italian-flag and other vessels.
Riser Survey: A specialist inspection of offshore production risers including flexible, rigid, and umbilical lines, often using ROV-mounted equipment.
RoRo Cargo Survey: An attendance for roll-on roll-off cargo focusing on lashing, stowage, ventilation, and fire safety compliance.
Route Survey: A pre-tow or pre-transit assessment of bathymetry, weather, and traffic along a planned voyage, especially for heavy lift or offshore tows.
RS Surveyor: A field surveyor employed by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping for classification and statutory work.

S

Safety Construction Survey: A statutory inspection under SOLAS Chapter I addressing hull, machinery, and electrical installations for the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate.
Safety Equipment Survey: SOLAS survey of LSA, FFA, and navigation equipment.
Safety Radio Survey: A statutory inspection of radio installations under SOLAS Chapter IV for the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate.
Sale and Purchase Survey: A detailed pre-delivery inspection performed under a memorandum of agreement to confirm vessel condition matches contractual representations.
Salvage Survey: An attendance during or after a salvage operation to document services rendered and condition of property salved, supporting Lloyd's Open Form proceedings.
Sampling Survey: A specific cargo attendance to draw representative samples for laboratory analysis, often combined with quantity work.
SAS Classification: A general industry shorthand referring to surveyor associations and societies that classify and accredit independent marine surveying firms.
Saybolt: A petroleum and bulk inspection company, part of the Core Laboratories group, providing custody transfer and quality surveys at oil and chemical terminals worldwide.