knowledge of ship's electrical & mechanical systems, fundamental understanding of boat design & construction. Generally considered important as well as engineering certifications are errors and omissions, and liability insurance to protect from injury or other hazards created by potential mistakes. A marine surveyor is generally not hired without errors and omissions insurance, also known as professional indemnity insurance. If a marine surveyor is not insured, there is potential for mistakes which the client is liable for, and this scenario is generally avoided by large clients. A marine surveyor who is a member of a professional body such as the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (USA) or the International Institute of Marine Surveying is more likely to be hired by a client. When it comes to defining the qualities and qualifications of a Marine Surveyor, a memorandum of 1834 has not been bettered: General duties of a Classification Society marine surveyor A marine surveyor may perform the following tasks: Conduct surveys throughout the ship's life (building new ship, annual survey, interim survey, special survey) to ensure standards are maintained; Perform inspections required by domestic statutes and international conventions by the International Maritime Organization (IMO); Witness tests and operation of emergency and safety machinery and equipment; Measure ships for tonnage and survey them for load line assignment; Attend court as an expert witness and assist in coroner's inquiries; Investigate marine accidents. Determine "Fair Market Value, "Damage Repair Costs", and Replacement Value". Types of marine surveyor Government surveyor A government surveyor performs ship registration surveys, surveys of foreign-going ships and local draft, and generally enforces ship safety standards to ensure marine industrial safety. Government-appointed marine surveyors, also called marine inspectors in some countries, belong to two groups that are not mutually exclusive: Flag State surveyors report to the government with whom the vessel is registered, and Port State surveyors report to the government into whose territory the vessel has entered. The Port State surveyors usually have the authority to detain vessels considered to have defects that may result in adverse impacts on life or the environment. Based on their government's legal framework, Flag State surveyors can impose conditions on the vessel such that failure to comply will result in the registration of the vessel being suspended or withdrawn. In this event, the vessel will find it almost impossible to trade. Cargo surveyor A Cargo surveyor is normally appointed by the Cargo Owner, usually