Grades of YDSA Membership
YDSA has three grades of professional members, reflecting the level of expertise and experience they have as a yacht surveyor. YDSA members specialise in small craft which generally refers to vessels for leisure use, whether private or commercial. Some YDSA members also work with workboats, tugs and other commercial craft. However, YDSA members do not survey container ships, P&O cruise ships, etc.
In order to ensure that clients find the right grade of member for the job they have in hand, the names of the grades were clarified at the 2009 AGM and the following now define the various grades:
Affiliate – entry level of membership for those who are fairly new to surveying, but will have a good knowledge of small craft from having worked in other areas of the industry over a number of years. Applicants provide three full condition/pre-purchase surveys for assessment, together with two professional references and evidence that they hold PI and PL insurance.
Accredited – upgrading to become an Accredited Member is achieved through passing the in-house examination and submission of three full condition surveys for assessment (or equivalent in the case of a member who is specialising in a particular area).
Full – a Senior Member of the Association, who will typically have an area of specialisation and who may well undertake Expert Witness and other litigation work. Achieved by submission of 3 surveys as for Accredited member. Fellow – conferred at an AGM by the members for services to the Association and who is still practising as a Surveyor. (Associate or Full Member)
Honorary – conferred at an AGM by the members for services to the Association for someone who is retired from practice.
Advertising using the logo and letters YDSA is permitted to Accredited, Full and Fellow Members only. Affiliates are solely entitled to refer to their membership within the body text of their website.
It is mandatory for all members to hold PI and PL insurance for the protection of their clients and themselves.
