MCA-Qualified Deck Officer  ·  Devon & Cornwall

Marine surveys backed by 14+ years at sea.

Murphy Marine Surveys Ltd — Sound Surveys, Sound Advice.

Pre-purchase, insurance and condition surveys for motor and sailing craft — carried out with the same rigour applied to SOLAS-compliant vessels, not a checklist glance.

14+Years across yachts 22m–63m
BScYacht Manufacturing & Surveying
CoCChief Mate 3000gt
SWCoverage Area: Southwest

Five survey types. No shortcuts on any of them.

01 — PRE-PURCHASE

Pre-Purchase Survey

Full structural, mechanical and safety assessment before you commit. Out-of-water inspection, engine hours and history check, and a plain-English report you can actually use to negotiate.

02 — INSURANCE

Insurance Survey

Condition reports formatted to what underwriters actually ask for — valuation, seaworthiness, and any remedial work required to keep cover in place.

03 — CONDITION

Condition & Valuation

Ongoing condition monitoring for owners and brokers — useful ahead of a sale, after storage lay-up, or simply for peace of mind between seasons.

04 — INSURANCE CLAIMS

Damage Inspection

Post-incident assessment for insurance claims — cause and extent of damage, repair scope, and a report formatted for your claims adjuster.

05 — MCA CODING

Coding Survey

Compliance examinations for small commercial vessels under the MCA Code of Practice — for charter, sail training, or commercial passenger use.

MCA
CERT No.
——

Surveying from the deck, not the desk.

I'm Paul Murphy, an MCA-qualified Deck Officer with 14+ years' experience aboard yachts from 22m to 63m. Every survey I write is shaped by years of being personally accountable for a vessel's compliance and condition — not just observing it.

I also hold a BSc (Hons) in Yacht Manufacturing & Surveying, and have handled Flag and Class survey responsibility directly onboard — so this isn't a career change, it's a natural extension of what I already do.

BSc (Hons) Yacht Manufacturing & Surveying
MCA Chief Mate 3000gt (Master 3000gt in progress)
Flag & Class survey experience onboard
Working across Devon & Cornwall
RCD (Recreational Craft Directive) consultancy
Project management & refit supervision
Insurance damage assessment
YDSA Large Yacht Group — planned, on membership

What happens after you get in touch.

STAGE 01

Enquiry & scope

A short call to understand the vessel, your timeline, and what the survey needs to achieve — purchase, insurance, or valuation.

STAGE 02

On-site inspection

Full hull, deck, mechanical and safety inspection, in and out of the water where required, with photographic evidence throughout.

STAGE 03

Report & findings

A clear written report — condition, defects, valuation guidance — delivered within an agreed turnaround, not weeks later.

STAGE 04

Follow-up

Available afterwards to talk through findings with you, your broker, or your insurer directly.

What to expect from a report.

SAMPLE — ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY

Pre-Purchase Survey: 15m Sailing Yacht

A representative example of the scope and depth covered in a typical pre-purchase report — not an account of a specific past client.

Hull & Structure

Osmosis check, keel bolts, rudder stock, deck core moisture readings.

Mechanical

Engine hours and condition, drivetrain, seacocks, steering gear.

Safety & Rig

Standing rigging, safety equipment in-date, electrical and gas systems.

01

Pre-Purchase Survey

First client slot open — Devon & Cornwall

02

Insurance Survey

First client slot open — Devon & Cornwall

03

Condition & Valuation

First client slot open — Devon & Cornwall

No case studies published yet — Murphy Marine Surveys Ltd is newly established. What stands behind every report instead: 14+ years working aboard yachts from 22m to 63m, a BSc (Hons) in Yacht Manufacturing & Surveying, and direct Flag & Class survey responsibility held onboard. Early clients are welcome to be featured here with their permission.

Clear, published pricing.

Condition & Valuation

Condition Survey

£50/m
Minimum fee £420
  • Hull & structure condition
  • Deck fittings & equipment
  • Valuation for owners/brokers
  • Written report, digital delivery
Underwriter-Ready

Insurance Survey

£65/m
Minimum fee £550
  • Condition & seaworthiness assessment
  • Valuation for cover purposes
  • Remedial work identified
  • Formatted for underwriter submission
Insurance Claims

Damage Inspection

£450min
Quoted on scope of damage
  • Post-incident condition assessment
  • Cause & extent of damage
  • Repair scope & cost estimate
  • Report formatted for claims use
MCA Compliance

Coding Survey

£85/m
Plus Certifying Authority fee
  • Compliance examination to MCA Code
  • Categories 0–6, up to 24m
  • Stability & safety equipment check
  • Certifying Authority liaison

No VAT charged, no travel cost within Devon & Cornwall. Rates above apply to vessels up to 15m. Vessels over 15m: +£7/m. Steel or aluminium hulls: +£12/m. Multihulls quoted individually, as inspection time roughly doubles per hull. Coding survey fees are charged separately from the Certifying Authority's own administration fees. Get in touch with your vessel's details for a fixed quote.

Ready to book a survey?

Based in Devon, covering the South West. Fill in the vessel details and I'll come back to you with availability and a quote.

Phone
+44 7376 185 732
Email
info@murphymarinesurveys.co.uk
Coverage
Devon & Cornwall

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