Courses in marine surveying
YDSA has members from many and varied backgrounds and encourages those who are thinking of surveying as a career to consider their existing knowledge and how they may enhance this in order to become a knowledgeable yacht surveyor.
YDSA believes that practical experience is paramount and can be gained in different ways - such as working in a build or repair yard; or perhaps in charge of the maintenance of a charter fleet. Added to this you will need to have under-pinning knowledge of construction materials and methods, fixings and fastenings, systems, etc - all those items that go together to form the modern fleet of sailing and powered vessels (and some of the older ones too).
The attached PDF lists a number of courses that may meet individual requirements. Contact any that interest you for a prospectus, details of costs, etc.
YDSA has a link with the International Boat Building Training College, in Lowestoft. The college offers a variety of courses, including an intensive "Practical Surveying Course". This is aimed at those with a good level of knowledge of boats and who want to transfer those skills into report writing to become a surveyor. Successful graduates from this course are entitled to apply for IBTC Graduate Membership of YDSA and in many cases those elected will be encouraged to upgrade very quickly if they clearly have the skills to do so. Graduate membership lasts for 12 months, and is free of charge. An application to upgrade must be received by the end of the 12 months. These members (see here for list) must comply with the YDSA requirement to hold PI and PL insurance.
Support from other YDSA members is available, plus YDSA event attendance at the member rate.
