About Us
Why Get a Marine Survey?
There are a number of reasons to get a marine survey. Insurance companies require them prior to writing a policy. Banks require them prior to offering financing. Fair market value of the vessel needs to be determined. However, the most important reason to get a marine survey is to determine that the vessel is safe for you, your family, and/or your crew. Regardless of the type of vessel that you are considering, a thorough survey will introduce you to the boat and all of its systems and give you an accurate picture of its condition. Upon examination of the vessel, your surveyor will be able to identify any issues or deficiencies that they observe and let you know if corrections or repairs can be done. They will also let you know if the vessel and its equipment are in compliance with current marine standards and regulations.
Using a reputable and trusted marine surveyor is key. Anyone can call themself a surveyor and start a marine survey business. However, if they are not properly educated and trained, you could be putting yourself at significant risk. Be sure to do your homework prior to hiring a surveyor – talk with them about what the process is, what type of information will be contained in their report, what standards they apply when conducting their surveys, how long will the survey take, how long will it be before their report will be ready, and how much will it cost. Ask about their credentials. And ask for references.
We pride ourselves on the quality of our surveys and inspections, reports, and customer service. Our vast knowledge, extensive training, and decades of experience result in an exceptionally thorough examination of your vessel. We produce a report that is comprehensive, easy to understand, and accepted by insurance companies and financial institutions alike. We make ourselves available to our customers before, during, and after a survey. We consider our customers part of our Anchor Marine family and greatly enjoy the relationships that we forge with them. Many of our customers often return for second and subsequent surveys. We have also had the pleasure of performing surveys for multiple generations of our customers' families, having completed surveys for parents, their children, and their grandchildren through the years.
Simply put, we love what we do, and we hope you will rely on us to assist you with all of your marine surveying needs.
Our Surveyors
Anchor Marine Surveying's founder, Chuck Wiley, had a life-long love of all things marine. As a young man, Chuck designed and built yachts with his father at the Wiley Shipyard in Oxford, Maryland (now known as the Cutts and Case Shipyard). Chuck was a US Merchant Marine and sailed the world in that capacity. He attended the Westlawn School of Naval Architecture before becoming the Superintendent of Nevins Yacht Yard in the 1950s. Chuck and his wife, Beryl Ulmer Wiley, owned Ulmer Sails in Annapolis. Chuck was a Naval Reservist and taught several courses at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
In 1979, Chuck founded Anchor Marine Surveying and began inspecting vessels throughout the mid-Atlantic region. As a Certified Marine Surveyor with the National Association of Marine Surveyors and an Accredited Marine Surveyor with the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors, Chuck inspected thousands of vessels during his career as a marine surveyor. For many of those inspections, his daughter Karen was by his side, learning the trade.
Karen grew up in the family boatyard and was constantly on the water as a child. She logged countless hours of unpaid labor at the family boatyard and sail loft, although her first paid job was at a neighborhood boatyard. After graduating from high school/college, Karen joined the Maryland State Police where her career spanned 22 years. A detail-oriented person with a tenacious attitude, she specialized in criminal investigations for the bulk of her career. On her days off, Karen assisted Chuck with surveying vessels. Upon retiring from the Maryland State Police, Karen assumed the helm of Anchor Marine Surveying.
Karen is an Accredited Marine Surveyor with the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) and is Standards Accredited by the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). She holds a 50-ton USCG Merchant Mariner (Captain) credential and is rated for both sailing and towing.
The Wiley family has been sailing worldwide for generations. In her spare time, Karen races sailboats and Chesapeake Bay Log Canoes, and enjoys fishing and boating. Karen's daughter, Kate, is also a knowledgeable seaman and helps with the family business in her free time.
Surveys and Inspections Offered
There are several different types of surveys and inspections that our marine surveyors can perform, and they can be done on all types of vessels – wooden and fiberglass, sailboats and powerboats. We can also collaborate with other marine professionals to expand the services that we offer to ensure that all your specific needs are met. Vessel owners and buyers are always encouraged to attend our surveys and inspections to take advantage of the "expert eyes" that our surveyors bring to each vessel.
Pre-Purchase Surveys - Whether you are purchasing a new or used vessel, this comprehensive inspection is designed to protect your investment. The condition and general operation of the vessel are examined including its structural integrity, electrical systems, propulsion systems, fuel systems, water systems, other machinery, navigation equipment, on-board systems, electronics, safety gear, cosmetic appearance and overall maintenance. New vessels that come from the shipbuilder should always be thoroughly inspected to confirm that all of the invoiced equipment and items is aboard and properly installed. When conducting a pre-purchase survey, your surveyor will perform both an out-of-the-water inspection and a sea-trial.
Insurance Surveys - This inspection, which is usually required before an insurance company will issue a policy for a vessel, is performed in order to protect the insurer and determine whether the vessel is an acceptable risk. Structural integrity and safety for the vessel’s intended use are the focus of this survey, but it is also done to determine the fair market value of the vessel.
Appraisal Inspection - This inspection is performed to gather sufficient information to document and determine the fair market value of the vessel. This type of inspection is usually required for financing, estate settlements, donations, and legal cases.
Damage Inspection - When a vessel is damaged, this inspection is done to assess the extent of the damage, recommend repairs, estimate repair costs, and determine the possible cause(s) of loss in marine-related incidents. This inspection can be done at the request of the vessel owner to ensure that his or her interests are adequately represented, or it can be done at the request of an insurance company that is processing a claim.
Other Available Services
We are available provide guidance to legal teams and testify as expert witnesses in both criminal and civil cases. In the event of a natural disaster such as a flood or hurricane, we can assist catastrophe teams with their assessments. Additionally, we have specialized fire investigation training and are able to consult in the event of a fire on a vessel.