What is a Marine Surveyor?
It’s important to understand that anyone can call themselves a marine surveyor and start offering services — there’s no automatic licensing requirement in Australia. To demonstrate professionalism and legitimacy, reputable providers like Catalpa Marine obtain formal surveying qualifications, gain AMSA accreditation to perform statutory surveys, and hold membership with professional bodies such as the Australian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS).
A legitimate marine surveyor is a qualified, AMSA-accredited professional who inspects vessels to assess their condition, seaworthiness, and compliance with maritime regulations. Surveyors work to standards set out by SOLAS, Marine Orders, and the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV), covering everything from hull structure and machinery to safety systems and operational readiness.
At Catalpa Marine, we combine technical knowledge with practical experience to deliver clear, independent reports that support owners, operators, insurers, and regulators.
Why do I need to engage the services of a Marine Surveyor?
Engaging a marine surveyor protects your investment and ensures your vessel is safe, compliant, and fit for purpose. Whether you’re buying a vessel, renewing a commercial certificate, resolving an insurance claim, or preparing for a charter, an independent survey gives you a clear, unbiased picture of the vessel’s true condition. At Catalpa Marine, we help identify issues early, verify compliance with Marine Orders and the NSCV, and provide detailed reports that stand up to scrutiny — saving you time, money, and potential legal headaches down the track.
What types of marine surveys do you offer?
Please follow the below links for a full run down of the services we provide.
Safety Management System (SMS) Drafting & Review
Technical Consulting & Support
Pre-Port State Control Vetting
Additionally, if you require a service not listed here, get in touch and we can work out a tailored solution to meet your requirements.
Do you carry out AMSA surveys?
Yes — Catalpa Marine is operated by an AMSA accredited marine surveyor and can conduct a range of statutory surveys for Domestic Commercial Vessels.
Click here for a full run down.
What types of vessels do you inspect?
We provide inspection and survey services for a wide range of vessels, including workboats, barges, landing craft, tugs, commercial fishing vessels, charter boats, recreational boats and yachts.
Additionally, we carry out pre Port State Control Inspections on both foreign flagged and Regulated Australian Vessels.
Whether you’re a commercial operation or private owner, we tailor each inspection to suit the vessel type, operating area, and relevant regulatory requirements.
How long does a survey or inspection take?
The duration of an inspection depends on the vessel type, size, and scope of the survey. Recreational vessels & smaller commercial vessels usually can be completed in a few hours, while larger commercial vessels may take a full day, or possibly longer – depending on the exact survey scope.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote. We’re here to answer your questions and provide practical advice tailored to your vessel.
Where do you provide marine surveying services?
Catalpa Marine are based in the Pilbara, however we provide marine surveying and consulting services throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
How much does a survey cost?
This all depends on the vessel and the scope of works. Catalpa Marine will provide a no obligation quote, with a detailed breakdown of the job. Due to the vast distances between ports in Australia’s northwest, travel costs may be factored in. This will be included in the initial quote.
Do you provide reports after the inspection?
Yes. All inspections include a detailed PDF report along with an extensive photo gallery to support the findings. Hard copies can also be supplied if requested. We understand time is of the essence, so reports will be completed and forwarded as quickly as reasonably practical.
I have a compliance question. Can you help?
Absolutely.If you have a question about NSCV requirements, Marine Orders, vessel safety equipment or any other operational / compliance issues, feel free to give us a call or send an email. We’re happy to offer advice — no obligation, no charge — especially if it’s something we can help with in a few minutes.
We’re here to support the industry, and we’re always happy to point you in the right direction.
Do you have a Quality Management System (QMS) in place?
Yes. Catalpa Marine operates under a documented Quality Management System that defines how surveying and technical advisory services are planned, delivered, recorded, and reviewed to ensure consistent and professional outcomes.
Relevant procedures or extracts can be made available to clients upon request, subject to confidentiality.