Damage and Valuation Surveys Flashcards
7 cards from real SAMS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Damage and Valuation Surveys flashcards as text
When assessing hull damage from a grounding, which area requires the most thorough inspection beyond the visible contact zone?
Answer: The keel attachment points and bilge areas adjacent to the impact zone
Grounding forces transmit through the hull, often causing hidden deformation and fastener failure at keel attachments and adjacent bilge areas.
In a damage survey following a fire aboard a vessel, which structural element is most critical to assess for potential hidden compromise?
Answer: Fiberglass laminates and resin bond integrity
Heat degrades the resin matrix in fiberglass laminates, causing delamination and structural weakness that may not be visible externally.
Which method is most appropriate for documenting the extent of osmotic blistering during a damage survey?
Answer: Moisture meter readings at multiple hull locations with photographic documentation
Moisture meter readings at systematic grid points combined with photography provide objective, documentable evidence of blistering extent.
A surveyor finds that a vessel's transom has been struck by another boat. The owner claims the damage occurred at the dock. What evidence is most relevant to establishing causation?
Answer: Paint transfer, impact geometry, and witness statements
Paint transfer from another vessel, the angle and geometry of the damage, and witness statements together establish how and when damage occurred.
When valuing a vessel with significant deferred maintenance for insurance purposes, the surveyor should base the agreed value on:
Answer: The fair market value in its current condition, not an idealized condition
Agreed value for insurance must reflect the actual market value in the vessel's current condition, including the effect of deferred maintenance.
During a damage survey, a surveyor discovers pre-existing damage unrelated to the reported incident. The surveyor should:
Answer: Document it separately and note it as pre-existing in the survey report
Professional practice requires documenting all findings; pre-existing damage must be clearly distinguished from incident-related damage in the report.
Which factor most significantly reduces the salvage value of a vessel declared a constructive total loss?
Answer: The extent and location of structural damage affecting safety and repairability
Structural damage that compromises the vessel's safety and makes repair economically or practically infeasible most directly determines salvage value.