What does a Marine Warranty Surveyor do?

The role of the Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS) is to assess whether the risks associated with applicable onshore and offshore marine construction operations are reduced to an acceptable level in accordance with best industry practice. Unlike vessel classification procedures, MWS duties extend only to normal vessel operations and do not include any non-routine operations in which a vessel might be involved.

The Marine Warranty Surveyor is appointed to act on behalf of both the insurer and the insured in relation to a specific, non-routine marine project, to provide a qualified, independent third-party review of the project so as to reduce the level the risk of a casualty occurring to an acceptable level, and to ensure that applicable operations are performed to recognised standards and codes of practice.

Marine Warranty Surveyor jobs qualifications

Each appointment of a Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS) has project-specific requirements with the experience and requirements individually agreed between the underwriter and the assured. The MWS is also expected to have thorough knowledge and experience in working with the usual industry standards for the contracted project.

Marine Warranty Surveyor jobs appointees are also expected to have a formal marine education and experience with the vessel type and specific genre of project they will be working on. The MWS will ideally have training and qualifications as a Naval Architect, Master Mariner, marine structural engineer or similar position.

The Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS) will either be freelance or contracted through a company with appropriate experience and track record. If through a company such as a contractor or specialist offshore recruitment agency, the latter will be expected to have in place established policies and procedures for the MWS to follow, together with an approved Quality Assurance system and acceptable level of solvency.

When is a Marine Warranty Surveyor needed?

The requirement for Marine Warranty Survey jobs (MWS jobs) can occur in several circumstances, including but not limited to when:

• The assured has entered into a contract under which risk is allocated to them
• The assured carries high value equipment and/or is involved with high-risk marine or offshore operations
• The insurance policy includes a warranty or condition requiring MWS approval of some specific operation or operations
• The insurer requires confirmation that the risks to which it is exposed are in accordance with standards acceptable to them
• An MWS could also be instructed to carry out a condition survey of an entered vessel if it is not IACS Classed or there are certain class conditions

Marine Warranty Surveyor scope of work

The key objective of the Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS) is to assess whether the risks associated with the applicable onshore and offshore marine construction operations are reduced to an acceptable level in accordance with best industry practice. If the MWS is satisfied that this is indeed the situation, the MWS will issue a Certificate of Approval (CoA) identifying the operation, the vessels and equipment employed, and also whether the CoA is subject to compliance with any other requirements.

Thus the role of Marine Warranty Surveyor jobs is not restricted to surveys, but will also include deskwork such as reviewing the basis and criteria of design, the engineering and all involved procedures. When the MWS is satisfied as to the suitability and level of risk of such documents, a warranty review letter can then be issued.

The scope of work of the Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS) also includes reviewing the applicable project documentation, including voyage plans, calculations, and other relevant documents, all of which must be approved by the MWS. As a component of this review, the MWS will also participate in HAZID (Hazard Identification) studies, HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) studies, and relevant project meetings to ensure that risks are identified and dealt with acceptably.

The Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS) is also responsible for physical verification of the actual equipment to be used, examining not only its condition but also related certification, manning levels and experience, in addition to the project requirements.