My name is Thomas Paxson,
I survey boats of all types and sizes for buyers, insurance companies, corporations or anyone wanting to know the true condition of the vessel they are buying – every detail, from the inside out so they can be confident in their purchasing decision.
Survey before you buy and purchase with confidence
With a long career in the maritime industry, Tom Paxson is highly qualified and diligent. He takes the time to complete a thorough inspection and see you through to the finish line.
Your survey is written with loan underwriters and insurance agencies in mind
With more than 30 years in the surveying industry, Tom knows how to help you purchase the boat of your dreams. The survey will be written with loan underwriters and insurance agencies in mind and he’ll ensure that you understand the condition, value, and repair costs before you sign.
We survey all types and sizes of vessels
Tom spent his career on the sea with experience on all types and sizes of vessels. He’s comfortable on everything from a small yacht to a largescale maritime oil tanker and combines his extensive field knowledge with a friendly personality.
Your survey is everything
Whether the boating dream is just budding, you’re hoping to sign soon, or you’re considering purchasing a fixer-upper yacht, call Tom for a pre-purchase survey or insurance survey today and close your deal with confidence!
“Tom was immensely integral to our boat buying process. This purchase marks our third boat but its much larger with many complex systems on board. Tom took the time to explain potential problem areas and the cost to cure but kept an eye on the big picture, We passed on two others before we finally pulled the trigger and my wife and I couldn’t be more pleased with our decision. – Thanks, Tom.”
Ed and Carol Farrel
Preparing your boat for the inspection
Proper preparation of the vessel for the survey is very importat and will greatly enhance the surveyours access to all areas of the vessel. For example, if lockers are neat and accessible, bilges are clean and compartments are not full of suff, more quality time can be spent on the survey. Do you really want to pay a marine surveyor to empty messy or clutterd lockers to gain access?
If the survey is a pre-purchase survey, it is likely that a broker will be involved and it is his/her responsibilty to inform the owner of what is needed to prepare for the vessel for the survey.
If buying from a private individual it should be their responsibility to prepare the vessel. When signing a purchase or sales agreement, that is subject to survey results, we advise you to allow at least 2 weeks after the signing to complete the written survey and closing.
Please note the survey is not complete until you have received the written report. The following check list will help when preparing the boat for a survey:
- The owner or owners representative has given written or verbal permissions to allow the survey
- The vessel listing has been available to the surveyor
- Documentaion or state papers are on board
- Keys or lock combinations are available to include ignition key
- Winter covers must have been removed properly; a boat under winter cover cannot be done
- DC power is availave; batteries charged
- AC power is available
- Water tanks are filled so system can be tested
- Toilets are hooked up and ready for testing
- Bilges are dry and clean
- Bilge pumps are operational
- Lockers are clear of gear
- Arrangements are made for a sea trial
- The boat must be operated by the owner or their under sail, additional crew may be required
- Depending on the vessel size and if the trails are under sail, additional crew may be required
- The owner must have the boat adequately insured
- Sufficient fuel must be on board
- All safety gear as required by USCG must be on board i.e. PFD, flares, fire extinguishers, sound signaling devices.
Captain Paxson is an Accredited Marine Surveyor with SAMS, (The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors) in yachts and small craft and holds a fourth issue Master’s unlimited tonnage license, all oceans. He does a variety of consulting, legal, and investigative services and is contracted to British Petroleum to serve as an onboard tank vessel Cargo Safety Advisor. Captain Paxson also serves as an expert witness and has testified in Federal Court cases.