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Tri-State Marine Services stands as a beacon of excellence in marine surveying throughout Texas. From our base in Austin, we extend our expertise across the state, from San Antonio, Houston and Dallas ensuring top-tier surveying services for a diverse range of vessels. Here’s what sets us apart:
A thorough assessment covering everything from structural integrity to safety gear, essential for informed vessel purchasing.
Evaluates risk and safety for insurance purposes, focusing on structural integrity and providing a market value estimate.
Determines the vessel's fair market value for financial, legal, or personal purposes.
Assesses damage extent, recommends repairs, and estimates costs, crucial for post-incident evaluations.
Certified by The American Boating and Yacht Council and trained at the Chapman School of Seamanship, our surveyors embody top-tier expertise, ensuring your vessel is assessed with unparalleled skill.
Our Texas-wide reach provides accessible, customized service for every client. Whether in Austin or beyond, we deliver meticulous attention to each unique marine surveying need.
Utilizing advanced InspectX technology, we provide rapid yet thorough surveys. Our detailed reports meet strict insurance and lender standards, equipping you with essential vessel insights.
As a boat owner in Texas, choosing the right marine surveyor was crucial for me. I'm so glad I went with Tri-State Marine Services. The level of detail and professionalism their team showed was outstanding. Ian, one of their surveyors, was particularly impressive with his thorough knowledge and courteous manner. He went above and beyond, ensuring that every aspect of my vessel was meticulously checked and clearly reported. Thanks to Ian and the Tri-State team, I feel confident and secure about my boat's condition and value. Highly recommend their services to any boat owner looking for top-notch expertise.
Jacob Simon2024-05-25Ian was great to work with and was able to get everything done in a timely manner. I was hesitant to purchase a boat on the other side of the country. He made it a smooth process and gave me everything I needed to know without seeing it in person. Id recommend him to anyone that is looking to get a Survey done.
Jonathan Gorman2024-05-17If you’re searching for a top-notch marine surveyor in Austin, look no further than Tri-State Marine Services. Ian's expertise and attention to detail are second to none. They consistently deliver thorough and reliable surveys, ensuring you have all the information you need for your vessel. Their professionalism and commitment to ethics make the entire process smooth and stress-free. I highly recommend Tri-State Marine Surveyor for anyone needing marine surveying services in the Austin area. You won’t be disappointed with their exceptional service!
Bianca Rosa2024-05-17I highly recommend Ian for any marine survey needs. He’s super knowledgeable and really sets the standard for ethics in the industry. Plus, he’s just a pleasure to interact with. If you need expert guidance and reliable service in this field, Ian is the person to go to!
Seth McVey2024-05-15I highly recommend Tri-State Marine Services for survey of your vessel. Our surveyor, Ian, was professional, responsive, and kind when conducting our survey. He made himself available to provide survey in the time frame we needed. His report writing and communication with us was exactly what we were looking for. We will definitely use again in the future!
john zinckgraf2024-05-06We needed a surveyor to survey the boat we were looking to purchase in Austin. Being from Maine and not knowing the area, we had found Ian at Tri-State Marine Services after an online search. When I called him the first time I knew right away he was the guy for the job. Ian was very knowledgeable, prompt and went out of his way to accommodate the needs of our survey. Even the boat owner who was present during the survey was highly impressed and said he'd recommend Ian to anyone needing a surveyor. The actual survey went very well, however the port engine water pump was leaking during the lake test. The owner had it fixed within a couple days, but Ian wanted to be sure and offered to come back and lake test again which he did and all was well. The final report was professionally presented in a detail-oriented fashion with lots of pictures. Ian also took many videos of the boat during the survey and the lake test since we weren't able to be there, giving us additional comfort in moving ahead with the purchase. If anyone reading this is looking for a boat surveyor in the tr-state area, you should just stop your search and call Ian as you'll be in good hands.
Phillip Rother2024-05-01I cannot say enough about the service and care that we received from our surveyor. Ian is so knowledgeable and thorough. He looked at everything and went the extra mile to make sure every aspect of boat was covered. We were looking at a boat in San Antonio and could not get there to see it. The boat was in good shape so we were not sure if we needed or wanted to do a survey. After our experience with Ian, it was definitely worth the extra time and effort to get it done. Ian was a pleasure to work with and took the time to make sure that we had a complete understanding of condition of the boat. Thanks again for taking care of us so well and providing such great service.
Estuardo Novales2024-04-28I saw a boat I was interested in through PopYacthts for sale in Texas. I live in Guatemala and can’t afford to spend the time going back and forward to the USA to check out boats, so I contacted Ian at TsMarineServices. Ian surveyed the boat for me including a test run and identified the problems and took lots of photos and videos so I could see what I was getting into. He identified some problems which needed fixing and checked that the shop did what was needed to both fix the problem and meet the US standards. In the end the batteries were changed, and a new water pump was installed. Throughout Ian kept me informed and even changed the survey date to meet my plans. I recommend Ian and his team wholeheartedly.
Jeff Chandler2024-04-18This was my first experience using a Marine survey so I really did not know what to expect. At first I was not going to use one because I felt the boat was in great condition, however I really wanted more peace of mind that I was really seeing a good buy, so it was worth it. I really do not have any suggestion as you were easy to contact and work with and that is always a good thing. I would recommend you to others.
Oteeka Davis2024-03-26We contacted Tri-state Marine Services when we decided to shop for cheaper insurance for our 55' SeaRay Sedan Bridge. Tri-state, specifically Ian MacKinnon, answered the phone (vs answering machine), and he continued to stay in contact with us until survey was completed. While all insurance companies stated that the surveyor needed to be SAMS or NAMS certified, Ian MacKinnon was American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) certified. Championing for himself, Ian MacKinnon contacted the insurance company and explained his credentials to the insurance agent. Based on their conversation, the agent agreed to accept the ABYC credentials. Upon receipt of the completed survey, the insurance agent said it was the most thorough one he had ever seen, and we agreed that it was more thorough than any of the other two out-of-water surveys we had had. If I need another survey in the future, I would not hesitate to contact Tri-State Marine Services nor would I hesitate to recommend their service to anyone else who needs a survey.
Ensure your vessel investment is sound with our comprehensive Pre-Purchase Survey. We meticulously evaluate the vessel’s condition, from structural integrity to safety equipment, providing you with a thorough assessment and a fair market value estimation. We include, as a free service, a copy of the Boat-alert report on the vessel you are considering, giving you peace of mind about its history. Look at www.boat-alert.com for all the information the report gives you.
Our Insurance Survey is essential for assessing a vessel’s risk profile. Focused on structural integrity and safety compliance, this survey is often a prerequisite for insurance companies, especially for older boats, and includes a fair market value assessment.
Whether for financing, legal, or personal reasons, our Appraisal Survey delivers an accurate determination of your vessel’s market value. Tailored for estate settlements, divorces, donations, and legal cases, this survey provides the vital valuation information you need.
In the aftermath of an incident, our Damage Survey is crucial for understanding the extent of damage, recommending repairs, and estimating repair costs. We can also investigate potential causes, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the incident.
Meet the dedicated team at Tri-State Marine Services, a group of highly skilled and certified marine surveyors who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to every survey. Each member, educated at the prestigious Chapman School of Seamanship and accredited by The American Boating and Yacht Council, is committed to providing detailed, reliable, and professional assessments. Our team’s diverse expertise covers a range of vessel types, ensuring that no matter what your specific needs are, you have a specialist ready to assist. Together, we prioritize precision, efficiency, and client satisfaction, making us your ideal partners in marine surveying across Texas.
Ian qualified as a Graduate Surveyor from the Chapman School of Seamanship, holds a Masters Degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Surrey in the UK, is a member of ACMS, and holds several certifications from the American Boating and Yachting Council covering Electrical Systems, Marine Systems and Adherence to ABYC standards.
Ian was born in the UK, moved to the US in 1999 and is now a US Citizen.
He was former executive director of US Naval Sailing in Annapolis, MD and specializes in sailboats, electrical systems and corrosion issues.
Trey qualified as a Graduate Surveyor from the Chapman School of Seamanship, holds a Bachelors Degree in General Business from Texas Tech University and was a certified educator for over 20 years. Trey Is a member of ACMS and holds certifications from the American Boating and Yacht Council.
He has over 45 years of experience in his boating career and has held many positions including Marine technician, marine haulier, Boat sales and was an Insurance Co. Executive for 15 years.
Trey specializes in classic boats and wooden boats. He currently owns three boats ranging from 21’ to 42’.
Adrianna qualified as a Graduate from the Chapman School of Seamanship, is a seasoned Charter Captain with nearly a decade of experience on Lake Travis, specializing in double-decker charter boats, houseboats, and yachts. She is a member of ABYC and is certified in the application of their marine standards.
Adrianna was born and raised in Texas and has experience in Boat Sales, has chartered vessels for multiple marinas and private clients on Lake Travis, and has been certified by Mercury Engines in, Fuel systems, Cooling systems, and Electrical systems.
Adrianna specializes in power boats.
Premier marine surveyors are permitted to use a designation denoting membership in accrediting organizations requiring members to meet and adhere to strict professional, technical and ethical standards. Our Surveyors have met all of those requirements and by using the ABYC, NFPA, USCG standards for surveys, you will be provided with a survey accepted by both lenders and insurance companies. Your inspection will be thorough and provide you with detailed information regarding condition, performance and value of your vessel.
In order to purchase insurance, most companies require proof of fair market value and current condition. A survey will provide you with this necessary information. The same can be said if financing is involved. A survey will provide the lender with the appraisal they need to approve the loan. However, more important than both the lender and insurance company, a survey will provide you the purchaser, with an in depth look at the condition, both interior and exterior, and mechanical so you have the ability to make a decision that is best for you. It has been said that a survey is the most cost effective insurance policy you can buy if it prevents you from purchasing someone else’s problem.
The surveyor does not prepare the vessel for a survey. That will be the responsibility of the owner/purchaser. The vessel should be clean and free of any debris or clutter so that a clear look at the structure is possible. If a ‘bottom inspection’ has been requested, the owner will need to make arrangements with a boatyard to have the vessel hauled out of the water. The bottom should be cleaned so any defects are visible. When a ‘sea trial’ has been ordered, it is the responsibility of the owner to retain a captain for operation during the survey. The surveyor cannot run the boat while inspecting it. All of these things need to be coordinated prior to the inspection date and all parties informed in order to ensure a smooth and thorough survey.
The party ordering the survey is responsible for payment which is required prior to the survey commencing. The ‘haul out’ and captain’s fee are also the responsibility of the person requesting the survey. These arrangements need to be made and confirmed between the owner/buyer prior to the inspection date.
Each survey is unique and there are many variables involved such as location, size of the vessel, condition and a host of others. Generally, the inspection portion is completed in hours with minimal inconvenience to either party. This is a question for the surveyor during the initial consultation.
Typically putting a boat through a sea trial and visual inspection will be enough for most surveys. Belts, hoses, mounts, stringers, pumps and overall condition will be assessed however we are not engine surveyors. If an engine survey is requested it will be up to the person requesting the survey to hire a qualified technician certified by the specific engine manufacturer. They will bring proprietary tools and knowledge to the survey that most surveyors may not have. Specialized compression testing tools needed to conduct tests on various types of motors are usually not part of a surveyor’s toolbox. We do offer oil sample spectro-analysis at a reasonable price and those results are usually available within a week. These oil tests can speak volumes about the condition of a motor or gear.
If you are requesting a survey for a boat which you already own, you may not need a sea trial. If you are purchasing a boat it is highly recommended a sea trial be conducted. During a sea trial the motors will be asked to perform under varying conditions. Typically back down tests, wide open throttle tests, control tests and function of all engine monitoring systems will be conducted. Much information about the condition and maintenance can be learned during a thorough sea trial. Highly recommended.
We have offices in Austin and Ft Worth with a proposed office in Houston and are prepared to travel to ensure you get a timely survey. We have links to other Surveyors qualified to the same high standards as ourselves and will readily recommend a surveyor to cover your needs outside Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Normally we will split travel costs with our clients depending on distance and time required. This should be discussed during the initial consultation.
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