Marine Insurance surveys in Airlie Beach and Whitsundays

Why Insurance Surveys Matter in the Whitsundays and Airlie Beach Region

Whether you own a private yacht, a luxury motor cruiser, a commercial vessel or a multihull catamaran in the Whitsundays, your insurer will eventually require a marine insurance survey. 

These inspections are essential for:

• Establishing a vessel’s current condition.
• Identifying defects or maintenance risks.
• Confirming seaworthiness.
• Verification of safety equipment.
• Meeting underwriting requirements.
• Renewing or initiating insurance policies.

Because the Airlie Beach and Whitsunday marine environment is one of the harshest climates in Queensland and Australia, insurance companies rely heavily on insurance survey reports and boat inspection reports from reputable, independent boat surveyors — and this is where Big Sea Marine Consultants & Surveyors plays a lead role in the region.

With over 40 years of engineering, inspection and survey experience, Big Sea Marine provides high-detail, insurer-compliant condition surveys for vessels of all types across Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour, Cannonvale, Bowen, Mackay and the wider Whitsundays.

Why Choose Big Sea Marine for Your Insurance Survey Inspection?

Principal Surveyor - Guy Howard, is a Certified Government Marine Incident Investigator.

✔ AMSA Accredited Surveyor (#3587-45820)

Qualified to inspect under the National System, including DCV vessels.

✔ AIMS Professional Membership

Adhering to the highest Australian industry standards.

✔ 40+ Years Marine Engineering Background

You’re not getting a “Tick & Flick Assessment”—you’re receiving a deep mechanical and structural evaluation, backed by years of hands-on experience and appropriate qualifications. 

✔ Trusted by Insurers, Brokers & Underwriters

Reports accepted by all major marine insurers.

✔ Local Whitsunday and Airlie Beach Knowledge

No one understands regional wear patterns, corrosion risks and cyclone-season stress loads like a local.

✔ Comprehensive, Detailed & Photographic Reports

Clear documentation highlighting condition, risks, defects and recommended maintenance.

✔ Fast Turnaround Times

Verbal onboarding within hours, full technical or forensic reports typically within 2-3 business days.

What Is a Marine Insurance Inspection Survey?

A marine insurance survey is a formal assessment of the boat and its condition, safety systems, structural integrity and compliance, used by insurance companies to:

• Approve new insurance applications.
• Renew existing policies.
• Assess vessel risk.
• Determine vessel value.
• Confirm seaworthiness.
• Verify that mandatory safety equipment is installed and operational.

Insurers require independent evidence that the vessel is safe, compliant and well maintained — and that no hidden risks exist.

Types of Insurance Surveys Offered by Big Sea Marine: 

• Boat Insurance Condition Survey Required by insurers for renewal or new policies. Includes full structural, mechanical, hull, rig (if applicable), electrical and safety review.
• Damage or Incident Survey Performed following collisions, grounding, storm damage or equipment failure.
  Provides insurers with an unbiased, technical damage assessment and repair recommendations.
• Post-Repair or Reinstatement Survey. Confirms that repair work has been completed to an industry-accepted standard, and the vessel is safe to operate.
• Valuation Surveys. (When Requested) Assesses the market value, replacement value and depreciation factors of the vessel.
• Commercial Vessel (DCV) Insurance Surveys. For vessels operating under NSCV and Marine Order 503/504 requirements.

What Big Sea Marine Inspects During a Marine Insurance Survey.

Our insurance inspections follow a structured, engineering-led methodology that meets insurer, underwriter and marine industry standards.

• Structural Integrity. (Internal & External)
• Hull condition. (GRP, aluminium, steel, composite or timber)
• Bulkheads, frames, stringers.
• Deck & superstructure.
• Keel & rudder condition.
• Signs of osmosis, blistering, corrosion or collision repair.
• Moisture intrusion.
• Rig foundations & mast support structures.

Out-of-Water Hull Inspection

Performed during haul-out at:

• Coral Sea Marina
• Port of Airlie
• Bowen Slipway
• Shute Harbour

Includes examination of:

• Hull bottom
• Antifouling & barrier coatings
• Propellers, shafts & bearings
• Stern gear & rudder systems
• Through-hull fittings
• Transducers
• Corrosion (particularly common in aluminium boats in the Airlie Beach and Whitsundays area)

Machinery & Engineering Systems

With over 40 years’ engine-room experience, Big Sea Marine provides an engineering-level assessment that most boat inspections cannot match:

• Main engines
• Gearboxes & drives
• Stern drives or sail drives
• Fuel systems & contamination (major issue in humid climates)
• Cooling systems & heat exchangers
• Exhaust systems
• Steering & hydraulic systems
• Bilge systems
• Generator sets
• Engine mounts
• Ventilation & air intakes

Electrical Systems

• AC & DC systems
• Batteries & charge management
• Inverters, solar & regulators
• Wiring age, condition & compliance
• Switchboards & breakers
• Navigation lighting
• Grounding & bonding systems
• Corrosion/water damage to terminals

Electrical faults cause a majority of vessel fires — insurers place strong weight on this section.

Safety Equipment Compliance

Assessed against Maritime Safety Queensland (2025 updated) requirements:

• Lifejackets (must meet AS4758 by 1 September 2025)
• Flares & V-sheet
• EPIRB / PLB
• Fire extinguishers
• Navigation lights
• Anchoring equipment suitability
• Bilge pump functionality
• Sound signals & communication equipment

For commercial vessels, additional DCV safety requirements are examined.

Sea Trial (If Required by the Insurer)

Evaluates:

• Engine performance under load
• Cooling temperature behaviour
• Gear shifting
• Steerage & autopilot
• Stability and trim
• Indicators of vibration, cavitation or misalignment
• Electrical load responses
• Generator behaviour on demand

Documentation & Compliance Verification

We examine:

• Registration & identifiers
• Builder’s Plate accuracy
• Past surveys
• Service history
• Logbooks
• Electrical certificates
• Stability documentation (if DCV)
• Insurance claims history (if provided)

Common Defects Identified During Insurance Surveys

(Especially in the Whitsundays and Airlie Beach)

Mechanical / Systems

• Overheating diesel engines
• Worn sail drive seals
• Failing exhaust elbows
• Diesel contamination
• Generator instability
• Leaking heat exchangers

Electrical

• Outdated or poorly installed wiring
• Battery failures
• Corroded terminals
• Failed solar regulators
• Non-compliant battery installations

Structural

• Moisture in decks
• Delamination
• Osmosis in GRP hulls
• Fatigue cracks in high-stress areas
• Leaking windows and hatches
• Corrosion in aluminium hulls

Safety

• Non-compliant lifejackets
• Expired flares & EPIRBs
• Undersized anchor gear
• Faulty bilge pumps

These defects may seem minor to an owner, but insurance companies consider them risk multipliers — and often require them to be rectified before providing or renewing cover.

Why Insurers Prefer Big Sea Marine Insurance Inspection Reports

Because our reports are:

• Detailed
• Photo-rich
• Professionally formatted
• Easy for underwriters to interpret
• Based on engineering-level analysis
• Unbiased and independent

Insurers trust Big Sea Marine because:

• We understand risk and failure modes
• ANZIIF Insurance Code of Practice 
• We know the exact conditions Whitsunday vessels endure
• Our assessments are consistent and thorough
• We hold AMSA and AIMS credentials
• Our reports reduce ambiguity and streamline underwriting decisions

Post-Survey Support for Boat Owners

Big Sea Marine offers:

• Clarification for insurers
• Repair recommendations
• Risk explanations
• Quotes from local contractors (upon request)
• Follow-up inspections
• Reinstatement surveys

This ensures your policy can be finalised without unnecessary delays.

Commercial Vessel (DCV) Insurance Surveys

For DCVs, we provide:

• Full NSCV Part B, C & safety compliance review
• Watertight integrity inspection
• Stability documentation verification
• Machinery & electrical compliance
• Safety management system (SMS) review (Marine Order 504)
• Operational area verification
• Post-incident DCV surveys

Our engineering background and marine incident investigative knowledge makes us one of the most qualified marine insurance investigators in North Queensland.

What You Will Receive

Every inspection includes:

• A comprehensive marine insurance survey report
• High-resolution photographic evidence
• A defect list with risk ratings
• Recommendations for repairs or replacements
• Compliance notes
• Safety verification
• Summary suitable for insurers and underwriters
• Optional valuation section (if required)

Reports can be delivered in:

• PDF (preferred by insurers)
• Microsoft Word format
• Short-form or long-form versions

Service Areas

Big Sea Marine provides insurance surveys throughout:

• Airlie Beach
• Shute Harbour
• Cannonvale
• Bowen
• Mackay
• Hamilton Island
• Daydream Island
• Coral Sea Marina
• Port of Airlie
• Additional Queensland locations. 

Remote inspections and interstate coordination's are also available.

How to Book a Marine Insurance Survey

Step 1 — Contact Us

Phone, SMS or email with vessel details and insurance requirements.

Step 2 — We Coordinate Everything

Including liaising with insurers, marina access and sea trial scheduling.

Step 3 — The Inspection

We attend onsite, conduct the full survey and liaise with your insurer if needed.

Step 4 — Verbal Summary (Same Day)

Essential for urgent policy requirements.

Step 5 — Final Report (2-3 days)

Delivered electronically, ready for insurer submission.

Book Your Insurance Survey Today

Big Sea Marine Consultants & Surveyors
Airlie Beach – Whitsundays – Mackay – Bowen

📞 + 61 (0) 407645893
📧 surveyor@bigsea.com.au
🌐 www.bigsea.com.au

Protect your vessel. Protect your investment. For peace of mind and personal service, engage one of Whitsundays’ and Airlie Beach most qualified marine insurance surveyors.

Book Your Survey Inspection

Meet Your Surveyor

Home