When acquiring a high-value marine asset, the quality of your pre-purchase inspection dictates your financial risk. The marine surveying industry is largely unregulated by state or federal governments, meaning theoretically, anyone can print a business card and call themselves a “boat inspector.”
To protect your capital, it is critical to hire a professional held to strict, verifiable standards. This is where SAMS® and the AMS® designation come in.
Understanding these credentials is the most important step in choosing a surveyor who can provide an objective, accurate assessment of a vessel’s structural integrity, mechanical systems, and market value.
What is SAMS®?
SAMS® stands for the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors. Founded in 1987, it is the premier international organization of professional marine surveyors.
SAMS® was established to create a rigorous standard of technical expertise and ethical conduct within the industry. When a surveyor is a member of SAMS®, it means they are held accountable to a strict code of ethics and must adhere to standardized survey protocols. They do not work for the broker, the seller, or the boatyard—they work exclusively to provide you with the unbiased truth about the vessel.
What Does the AMS® Designation Mean?
Within SAMS®, the highest tier of credentialing is the Accredited Marine Surveyor (AMS®).
Achieving AMS® status is not a simple certification process; it requires a documented history of professional expertise. To earn the AMS® designation, a surveyor must:
- Prove Extensive Experience: The applicant must have a minimum of five years of full-time marine surveying experience before they are even eligible to apply.
- Pass Rigorous Examinations: Surveyors must pass comprehensive technical exams covering vessel construction, mechanical systems, safety standards (ABYC and USCG), and proper survey methodology.
- Commit to Continuing Education: An AMS® must complete mandatory continuing education credits every year to maintain their status, ensuring they remain updated on the latest composite materials, propulsion technologies, and insurance regulations.
George Jarvie of Jarvie Marine Surveyors proudly holds the AMS #941 designation, bringing over two decades of verified, accredited experience to every inspection across Arizona and Southern California.
Why Banks and Insurance Companies Require an AMS®
Financial institutions and insurance underwriters are in the business of risk mitigation. They will not underwrite a multi-million dollar asset based on the opinion of an unverified inspector.
- Accepted Valuations: When securing financing for a yacht or commercial vessel, banks require a Condition and Value (C&V) survey. The vast majority of major lenders explicitly require this report to be authored by a SAMS® AMS® surveyor.
- Policy Approval: Insurance companies rely heavily on the surveyor’s assessment of the hull structure, electrical systems, and through-hull fittings. An AMS® stamp on your report guarantees the underwriter that the data is accurate, comprehensive, and up to industry standards, streamlining your policy approval.
The Bottom Line on Capital Protection
Hiring a SAMS® Accredited Marine Surveyor is your primary defense against buying a compromised vessel. An AMS® professional has the trained eye necessary to locate hidden moisture intrusion, structural delamination, and mechanical wear that an uncredentialed inspector will likely miss.
When you hire an AMS®, you are not just paying for a boat check—you are investing in highly qualified, objective data to protect your financial liability.