Like the Insurance Risk Evaluation, it is an overview inspection, looking at all of the important categories but not making in-depth inspections unless cause or need is found to do so. Consultations are often requested by vessel owners relating to questions or problems they might have with their boats. This category covers a wide spectrum of many different kinds of work including osmotic blistering diagnosis, repowering and propeller sizing, galvanic corrosion diagnosis, structural and rigging alterations and enhancements, and commercial vessel alteration for change of use or fishery. Damage repair work can be followed by the surveyor to protect the owner's best interests, especially in repairs covered by insurance where there is some question whether the needed work will be allowed and covered under the terms of the vessel's insurance policy. Restoration of old or historic vessels can be supervised or directed by a marine surveyor to ensure the work is in keeping with the vessel's original construction and finish and historical value and intended future use.
Consultations can cover many, many topics and conundrums.
Industry standards and federal regulations abound and demand recognition and familiarity by the marine surveyor. The American Boat and Yacht Council, the National Fire Protection Association and Underwriters Laboratories have established recommended standards of materials specifications and applications, equipment design and construction, and systems installations for the marine industry. The marine surveyor must be familiar with all of the standards of these organizations and be sure the vessel conforms to them wherever practicable. Paradoxically, a surveyor's membership in the American Boat and Yacht Council or the National Fire Protection Association is no surety that he knows and understands their standards with any proficiency. Recreational and commercial vessels must all conform to and comply with certain federal regulations, and the marine surveyor must be able to identify if and where a noncompliance exists.