Buying a ship is a big decision to make, and therefore, while purchasing one, you should be cautious. It might be a great move if you consider the financial angle, however, that depends on the quality of the ship you are buying, and you don’t have to deal with damage issues frequently. Therefore, it is needless to say that you should perform a proper inspection and then only make the final decision. So, if you are based in Norway and are preparing to buy a ship for sale in Norway but are not aware of what are the vital inspections you should perform, then here in this blog we have guided you on what are the checks you must conduct when buying a ship for sale.
Top Checks to Conduct Before Investing in a Ship
For the best inspection, you can follow these steps.
Hire an experienced ship surveyor
A ship surveyor is a professional who is trained to inspect and examine a ship’s seaworthiness. When buying a new ship, it becomes important for you to know the condition of the ship, whether it is perfect or not. Therefore, not only hire a ship inspector but also make sure that the professional is experienced and knowledgeable. On the basis of the series of observations and inspections that are conducted, the inspection team may offer you a preliminary report that contains crucial data about the ship. Going through this data would help you make the best purchasing decision. In case you are not able to find a reliable inspector or an inspecting team, you can get help from top shipbrokers.
Examine the structure of the ship
While the appearance of a ship matters, the build of the ship is even more important and should be assessed closely. The surveyor you hire should check important aspects such as the thickness of the hull, the ballast tanks, the quality and condition of the marine valves, the stuffing boxes, the steering system, the electrical system, the propulsion equipment, the structural precision of the whole ship, and the vessel area that stays submerged under the water. These aspects should not be overlooked. Only when the surveyor gives a green signal should you proceed to the next step.
Check the class record.
It is extremely important that you buy certified marine vessels. So, whether you are planning to purchase a ship for sale in Norway or other places in the world, you must check the class record. This is important because only for the purchase of a vessel of this class would you be able to secure a loan. Only through a class record would you be able to tell whether the vessel has met with any damage or accident in the recent past. Plus, you can also know whether the vessel is manufactured and complies with the standards for maintenance and construction.
Take the ship on a sea trial
Before purchasing the ship, it is essential for you to go on a sea trial. The sea trial would help you assess the performance of the vessel and see whether it is meeting your set performance target. In case you are buying a ship for the first time, then it would be best for you to do the sea trial in the presence of the ship inspector, as he would be able to guide you in selecting the best ship. However, some of the aspects that you should keep a close check on are whether the steering system is working fine, whether the ship is equipped with safety features, whether the equipment and components are of good quality, and whether the ship makes jarring or any abnormal sound when running on the water. Only when you are satisfied with the performance of the ship in every way should you say yes to the deal.
Conclusion
Buying a ship requires making the right decision and remaining cautious throughout the process. And this is why it is important to conduct a proper inspection before purchasing a ship. So, if you are planning to buy a ship for sale in Norway, you should not skip inspecting the ship before purchasing. And to hire an experienced ship inspector, you can get in touch with a top shipbroker who has years of experience in this field.
