Ethics and Professional Conduct 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 Ethics and Professional Conduct flashcards as text
SAMS members are prohibited from advertising their services using which of the following approaches?
Answer: Guaranteeing specific survey outcomes or appraisal values in advance
Guaranteeing outcomes before a survey is performed misrepresents professional capabilities and violates SAMS advertising ethics.
When a SAMS member disagrees with a finding made by a co-surveyor on a joint survey, the appropriate course of action is to:
Answer: Document the disagreement and ensure it is reflected in the final report
Professional disagreements must be documented transparently so the report accurately reflects all professional opinions and findings.
A SAMS member receives a survey request from an insurance company that is also the surveyor's primary source of referrals. The surveyor should:
Answer: Disclose the referral relationship to the vessel owner and the insurer, then proceed if independent judgment can be maintained
SAMS ethics require disclosure of any relationship that could be perceived as influencing objectivity, with independent judgment as the overriding standard.
Under SAMS standards, client confidentiality requires that survey findings be kept confidential from all third parties EXCEPT:
Answer: Parties with a legitimate legal or safety interest, or when required by law
SAMS confidentiality rules allow disclosure to parties with a legitimate legal interest or when mandated by applicable law or safety obligations.
A prospective client asks a SAMS member to provide a verbal 'pre-inspection opinion' on a vessel's value without conducting a formal survey. The member should:
Answer: Decline unless a formal survey is conducted and a written report issued
SAMS standards require that value opinions be based on thorough inspection and documented in a formal report to ensure accuracy and professional accountability.
Which behavior by a SAMS member would most likely result in a formal ethics complaint?
Answer: Falsifying inspection data to satisfy a client's desired outcome
Falsifying inspection data is a direct violation of SAMS core ethical principles of honesty, integrity, and professional accuracy.
When a SAMS member takes on a survey involving a vessel type with limited personal experience, the ethical obligation is to:
Answer: Disclose the limitation to the client and either decline or associate with a qualified expert
SAMS ethics require honest disclosure of competency limitations and either referral or collaboration with an appropriate expert.