On-Hire Surveys / Off-H ire Surveys of vessels are undertaken either before the vessel or structure is delivered into a charter, or redelivered from a charter.
The survey report usually includes a detailed description of a vessel?s cargo spaces/deck areas structural condition, cargo space cleanliness, hull antifouling or marine growth check, bunkers on board, a listing of the vessel statutory certificates, portable securing equipment amongst other aspects.
The purpose of On-Hire/Off-Hire surveys are mostly to determine the extent of damages, other than fair wear and tear, which may have occurred to the ship between two dates, usually those of the commencement and terminated of the charter.
On-hire/Off-Hire surveys are essential to a client when hiring a vessel to limit their liability by ensuring they have correct information on the condition of the vessel and work required in respect of the charter party. Hence it is the interest of a client to get an independent survey carried out on their behalf which will then be used as evidence for their liabilities for the charter period.
