1. Basic and advanced vessel corrosion survey and analysis. This service provides a comprehensive
assessment of the “corrosion health” of the vessel. Hull potentials are measured and analyzed.
The bonding system is inspected and tested for proper operation. Strategies to eliminate problems and
prevent them in the future are provided.
As part of this service, basic checks of the boat’s electrical system can be conducted to verify
compliance with current standards. Especially if you have a “mature” vessel that has changed hands a
few times, it would be wise to ensure that a previous owner’s ambition to improve the boat did not
create a safety hazard onboard. We specifically will check for ground-neutral connections, proper
installation of shore cord systems, proper polarity, and for the required connection between the
boat’s AC and DC ground systems. The standards of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) are used
in inspecting these areas.
If you are experiencing a corrosion problem this service will find the cause. It is also recommended
that this service be conducted on an annual basis to prevent facing catastrophic loss and major repairs
associated with undetected corrosion problems (this should be considered part of
the annual maintenance most owners perform on their vessels).
2. Marina corrosion analysis. This service examines the marina system for any problems that could
cause corrosion of vessels and dock structures. Marina operators have taken advantage of this service
to ensure that their boating tenants have a secure location for their vessels and are confident that
the operator is doing everything possible to prevent unwanted corrosion of their vessels.
3. Marina electrical safety analysis. This service will inspect the marina and its electrical
facilities for problems that could affect the safety of operators and customers. The standards of the
National Fire and Protection Association (NFPA) are used in this assessment. The NFPA 303 standard
requires an annual inspection of marina electrical equipment, including a test of the integrity of the
grounding system. Since this standard is referenced as part of the National Electric Code (NFPA 70),
and this code has been written into the laws governing electrical installations in most cities,
non-compliance with NFPA 303 is often a violation of the law. More importantly,
if electrical safety violations are not detected and eliminated, the marina
environment can become a potentially dangerous place. We can perform the
majority of this inspection, but to be 100% complete, a licensed code
electrician will accompany us.
4. General
Education and presentations. We provide formal and informal training to all levels of personnel in
the marine industry, including boat owners, boating groups and clubs, marine technicians, marina
operators, and marina management. These presentations include innovative slide shows, demonstrations, and
corrosion examples, and can be tailored to your individual needs. In addition, we provide comprehensive
hands-on training opportunities designed to meet your training objectives.
5. Electrical Inspections for Marine Surveyors.
A new addition to the training curriculum is a one-day seminar designed for
Marine Surveyors to improve their understanding of a boat's electrical system.
It also provides detailed methodology for conducting specific tests aimed at
revealing safety-related issues with the electrical system. More
information regarding this training may be found at the following link:
Electrical Inspection for
Surveyors. A downloadable brochure in Word format is available here:
Electrical Inspection for Surveyors (Word Document)
6. Expert Witness Services.
Credentials and experience to provide expert witness services in cases involving
Electric Shock Drowning and Marine Corrosion Problems. |