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SURVEY GALLERY
Below are some images that represent some of the most common issues I have found during marine surveys. All are examples of deficiencies that are non-compliant with either an ABYC standard or a standard within The Canada Shipping Act, The US CFR Title 46, or all three.
Wing nuts should not be used for terminal connections.
A single battery terminal should have no more than four conductors and they should be arranged with the largest conductors concentrated on the bottom.
This tired looking AC electrical receptacle is missing the required cover. It is also located near a sink so should be GFI protected. It should be replaced.
This exposed DC wiring should be protected against chafe, water intrusion, and damage.
This watertight bulkhead has been compromised by both a plumbing installation and wiring run which have been installed without the required fittings (watertight gland for wiring) (union and threaded barbed fitting for the plumbing).
An FRP crack like this could lead to water intrusion into the core causing damage to the vessel’s structure.
This engine room mounted fuel-water separator is missing the required heat shield.
LPG bottle installations must allow for minimum bend in supply lines. The tight radius of this hose just after the gauge has a high probability of eventual failure.
Potable water hose has been used in sections of this bilge pump plumbing in place of approved type bilge hose.
Again, potable water hose has been used where approved type bilge hose should be installed. This time on a manual gusher pump.
This bilge in a steel hulled vessel shows evidence of very significant corrosion to the hull shell plate and the frames. Localized corrosion in steel hulls can create areas of paper thin plate directly adjacent to plate in near new condition. Poor inspections can leave this undetected.
Though compliant at the time of build, this steel through hull lacks reinforcement at the point of hull penetration, and shows advanced corrosion. Dissimilar metals are likely setting up galvanic action that is contributing to the deterioration.
These stainless steel hose clamps connecting this vent hose to a mechanical shaft seal show serious corrosion at the fasteners. Some poor quality hose clamps will have a stainless steel band and body with ferrous metal fasteners. These often fail at the threads where they cannot be seen. In addition, the hose used here is an engine coolant hose rather than the more robust spiral reinforced raw water intake hose. This hose is correctly double clamped reducing the risk, however, a failure here could sink the boat.
The ferrous fasteners on this bronze impeller pump are acting as the anode setting up galvanic action that will over time destroy the fasteners and cause the pump to leak at the faceplate.
The coatings are failing at some of the plank seams of this wooden hull. Likely caused by shrinkage while the vessel is out of the water.
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