SAMS Ethics and Professional Conduct 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: SAMS members are prohibited from advertising their services using which of the following approaches?
- Listing certifications and areas of expertise on a professional website
- Using client testimonials with the client's written permission
- Guaranteeing specific survey outcomes or appraisal values in advance (Correct answer)
- Publishing articles in marine industry journals
Correct 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.
Question 2: When a SAMS member disagrees with a finding made by a co-surveyor on a joint survey, the appropriate course of action is to:
- Allow the senior surveyor's opinion to prevail without comment
- Document the disagreement and ensure it is reflected in the final report (Correct answer)
- Withdraw from the survey immediately
- Issue a separate, conflicting report without notifying the co-surveyor
Correct 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.
Question 3: A SAMS member receives a survey request from an insurance company that is also the surveyor's primary source of referrals. The surveyor should:
- Decline all surveys for that insurer to avoid any appearance of bias
- Accept the survey and maintain objectivity, documenting all findings accurately
- Disclose the referral relationship to the vessel owner and the insurer, then proceed if independent judgment can be maintained (Correct answer)
- Accept but provide a more favorable report to preserve the referral relationship
Correct 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.
Question 4: Under SAMS standards, client confidentiality requires that survey findings be kept confidential from all third parties EXCEPT:
- Other marine surveyors in the local market
- Parties with a legitimate legal or safety interest, or when required by law (Correct answer)
- Boat dealers and brokers in the area
- Other clients who own similar vessels
Correct 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.
Question 5: 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:
- Provide an informal opinion since it carries no professional liability
- Decline unless a formal survey is conducted and a written report issued (Correct answer)
- Provide the opinion only if the client signs a liability waiver
- Give a range estimate based on the vessel's make, model, and year alone
Correct 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.
Question 6: Which behavior by a SAMS member would most likely result in a formal ethics complaint?
- Declining a survey due to a scheduling conflict
- Using a standardized report template across multiple surveys
- Falsifying inspection data to satisfy a client's desired outcome (Correct answer)
- Charging different fees for different types of vessel surveys
Correct 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.
Question 7: When a SAMS member takes on a survey involving a vessel type with limited personal experience, the ethical obligation is to:
- Proceed with the survey and research any unfamiliar systems afterward
- Disclose the limitation to the client and either decline or associate with a qualified expert (Correct answer)
- Complete the survey using general marine principles without specific disclosure
- Charge a reduced fee to account for the reduced expertise
Correct 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.
SAMS Ethics and Professional Conduct 3
SAMS members are prohibited from advertising their services using which of the following approaches?