The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) awards the Accredited Marine Surveyor (AMS) designation to professionals who demonstrate mastery of vessel inspection, damage assessment, valuation, and marine safety standards. The AMS credential is widely recognized by insurance underwriters, lenders, and buyers as evidence of professional competence in the marine survey field.
Vessel condition surveys (also called pre-purchase surveys) form the core of most AMS candidates' practice. The surveyor must conduct a systematic inspection of the hull for structural integrity — checking for osmotic blistering, delamination, fractures, and impact damage in fiberglass hulls, as well as corrosion, fatigue cracking, and weld integrity in aluminum and steel vessels. Deck hardware inspection covers cleats, winches, chainplates, stanchion bases, hatches, and ports for proper bedding, fastening, and signs of stress cracking around fittings.
Machinery surveys cover the engine room comprehensively: propulsion engines (inboard, outboard, and sterndrive configurations), transmissions, shaft seals, propellers, fuel systems (tank materials and installation, fuel lines, anti-siphon valves, through-hull fittings), and cooling systems. Surveyors must identify deferred maintenance, improper installations, and fire or explosion hazards. SAMS exam questions frequently focus on fuel system compliance with ABYC H-24 and H-25 standards and NFPA 303 (Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards).
Electrical systems are a major exam domain. DC systems must be evaluated for proper wire sizing, overcurrent protection, bonding, and corrosion. AC systems require GFCI protection in wet areas, shore power cord condition, and galvanic isolator or isolation transformer installation. Bilge pump systems — both automatic and manual — must be verified for capacity, check valve installation, and proper wiring. The bonding system protects against galvanic corrosion and stray current corrosion; the surveyor must test bonding continuity using a multimeter.
Safety equipment inspection is required in every condition survey. Personal flotation devices (PFDs) must be USCG-approved, in serviceable condition (no tears, broken hardware, or waterlogged foam), and of the correct type and quantity for the vessel's capacity and intended waters. Visual distress signals (flares) must be within their expiration dates. Fire extinguishers must be USCG-approved, properly mounted, and within their service/hydrostatic test dates — B-I or B-II rated for engine spaces depending on volume.
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) should be registered with NOAA, within hydrostatic test date (every 5 years), and battery expiration verified. Life rafts require annual or 3-year service depending on the manufacturer and container type (valise vs canister). The surveyor must verify that the hydrostatic release mechanism and painter line are properly installed and not expired.
Marine damage surveying requires the surveyor to document the cause of loss, scope of damage, and cost to restore the vessel to pre-loss condition. The surveyor prepares a repair specification, solicits repair bids, and provides the insurer with a diminution of value or actual cash value (ACV) determination when repairs are uneconomical. ACV = replacement cost new minus depreciation. Total loss is declared when repair costs exceed ACV.
Vessel valuation methods include the market approach (comparable sales via BUC Research, NADA, or private market data), the cost approach (reproduction or replacement cost minus depreciation), and for commercial vessels, the income approach. The surveyor must document all valuation methodology and support the opinion of value with market evidence.
SAMS vs NAMS: The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) and the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) are the two primary U.S. marine surveyor credentialing bodies. SAMS awards the AMS and the Certified Marine Surveyor (CMS) designations. NAMS awards the Certified Marine Surveyor (CMS) designation. Both require documented survey experience, written examinations, and continuing education. Insurance companies and lenders typically accept surveys from members of either organization.
The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) publishes the technical standards that form the backbone of marine survey practice in the United States. The most frequently tested ABYC standards include: E-11 (AC and DC electrical systems), H-24 (gasoline fuel systems), H-25 (diesel fuel systems), A-1 (personal flotation devices), P-1 (exhaust systems), and P-6 (propulsion machinery installation). SAMS candidates must understand the purpose, scope, and key requirements of each standard.
NFPA 303 (Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards) governs fire prevention requirements for shore-side facilities and the boats berthed there, including electrical connections, fuel dispensing, and housekeeping. While NFPA 303 primarily addresses marina operations, SAMS surveyors apply its principles when evaluating vessels stored or serviced in marina environments.
Professional survey report writing is a tested competency. A condition and valuation survey report must include: vessel identification data, scope and limitations of the survey, description of the inspection methodology (including haul-out and sea trial), detailed deficiency list prioritized by severity (immediate safety hazards, operational deficiencies, maintenance recommendations), an opinion of value supported by market data, and a certification statement. Reports must be factual, objective, and free of speculative language.
Surveyors must clearly distinguish between deficiencies that are immediate safety hazards (requiring correction before the vessel operates), operational deficiencies (requiring correction within a defined period), and maintenance recommendations (advisory items). Failure to properly classify safety hazards exposes the surveyor to professional liability. SAMS members are bound by the SAMS Code of Ethics, which requires independence, objectivity, and avoidance of conflicts of interest.