Our Services
BALYAT Marine provides independent marine surveying, yacht and boat transfer, owner training and maritime consultancy services. Our work combines professional surveying practice, practical seamanship, command experience and maritime education to support yacht owners, prospective buyers and other parties throughout the purchase, ownership, operation and maintenance of recreational craft.
Yacht Surveying
Marine surveying is the principal service of BALYAT Marine. Each survey is carried out independently and methodically, with the scope agreed in advance according to the vessel, its condition and the client’s requirements. Findings are presented in a clear and structured report, supported by photographs and practical recommendations where appropriate.
Pre-Purchase Surveys
A pre-purchase survey provides an independent assessment of a yacht or boat before the buyer commits to the purchase. The inspection may cover the hull, deck, structure, machinery, electrical installations, onboard systems, safety equipment, interior, rigging and sails, where applicable and accessible.
The purpose is to identify visible defects, maintenance concerns, safety issues and areas requiring further specialist investigation. The report assists the buyer in making an informed decision and may also support price negotiations, repair planning and future maintenance budgeting.
Condition & Valuation Survey
A condition and valuation survey assesses the vessel’s general condition and provides an opinion of its approximate market value at the time of inspection. These surveys may be requested by owners, insurers, financial institutions or other interested parties.
The assessment considers the vessel’s age, construction, equipment, maintenance history, observed condition and the market for comparable craft.
Insurance Survey
Insurance surveys are carried out to provide insurers or owners with an independent overview of the vessel’s condition, safety-related installations and general suitability for continued use.
The scope may include structural condition, machinery, electrical systems, fuel and gas installations, firefighting equipment, lifesaving equipment and other matters relevant to the insurer’s requirements.
Damage Surveys
Damage surveys investigate the nature, extent and probable cause of damage following an accident, grounding, collision, machinery failure, water ingress or other incident.
The inspection may include documentation of the affected areas, consideration of possible repair methods and recommendations for further dismantling, testing or specialist examination where required.
Pre-Refit and Maintenance Surveys
A pre-refit or maintenance survey helps owners understand the vessel’s current condition before beginning major maintenance, repair or refurbishment work.
The survey can assist in establishing priorities, preparing a realistic work list, obtaining comparable quotations and reducing the risk of unexpected costs during the project.
Drone-Assisted Mast & Rigging Inspection
BALYAT Marine offers drone-assisted visual inspection of masts and standing rigging where close observation of elevated areas would otherwise be difficult or impractical. High-resolution imagery can be used to examine mastheads, spreaders, fittings, terminals, tangs, rigging attachments and other accessible components, providing a documented overview of areas that cannot readily be inspected from deck level.
Drone inspection is particularly useful as part of a sailing-yacht survey or as a focused rigging inspection. Images and video are reviewed as part of the survey findings and can also provide a useful visual record for the owner. Where observations indicate the need for closer physical examination, access aloft, dismantling or specialist rigging assessment, this will be recommended in the report.
Drone operations are subject to suitable weather, location and applicable operating restrictions.
Rig Tension Measurement & Tuning
BALYAT Marine provides standing-rigging tension measurement and tuning for suitable sailing yachts using the Spinlock Rig-Sense tension gauge. Shroud and stay tensions can be measured, compared between port and starboard, and recorded to establish a repeatable reference for the vessel. Where appropriate, adjustments can be made with reference to the yacht, rig configuration and available manufacturer, class or sailmaker guidance, with final settings documented for future comparison.
Rig tuning is vessel- and rig-specific and considers mast alignment, rig balance and appropriate standing-rigging tension rather than simply achieving equal numerical readings. Where the rig arrangement, condition or required adjustment calls for specialist rigging or engineering input, further professional assessment will be recommended.
Underwater Hull & Appendage Inspection
Where haul-out is unavailable or a focused underwater assessment is required, BALYAT Marine can arrange a diver-assisted visual inspection of the vessel’s underwater hull and externally accessible fittings.
The inspection may include:
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Underwater hull surfaces and coatings
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Evidence of fouling, impact damage or visible deterioration
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Propellers and accessible shaft or drive components
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Rudders and steering appendages
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Bow and stern thrusters, where fitted and accessible
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Sacrificial anodes
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Trim tabs and stabilising appendages, where fitted
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Transducers and underwater sensors
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Through-hull fittings and other externally accessible underwater openings
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General photographic and video documentation of below-waterline condition
Underwater inspections are carried out with high-resolution photographic and video documentation, allowing the Principal Surveyor to review observed conditions and incorporate relevant findings into the survey report.
An underwater inspection is a valuable supplementary inspection but does not provide the same level of access as a full haul-out and should not be regarded as a substitute where an out-of-water inspection is necessary for the agreed survey scope.
BALYAT Marine can also undertake inspections focused on a particular area, system or concern. These may include hull and deck condition, moisture-related concerns, osmosis, machinery spaces, electrical installations, safety equipment, onboard systems, rigging or selected maintenance issues.
The limitations of any specific inspection are clearly defined before the work begins.
Specific and Limited-Scope Inspections
Yacht and Boat Transfer
BALYAT Marine provides professionally planned yacht and boat transfer and delivery services for sailing yachts and motor yachts.
Each transfer is prepared according to the vessel’s condition, size, equipment, route and operating requirements. Preparations may include a pre-departure inspection, safety and equipment checks, route and weather planning, fuel and provisioning arrangements, crew organisation and communication with the owner.
Transfer operations are coordinated by experienced Yacht Masters with strong knowledge of the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts and extensive experience aboard both sailing yachts and motor yachts. The objective is to deliver each vessel safely, responsibly and efficiently while keeping the owner informed throughout the operation.
Onboard Training for Yacht Owners
BALYAT Marine provides personalised onboard training for both existing yacht owners and people preparing to purchase or operate their first vessel.
Training is conducted aboard the owner’s vessel whenever possible, allowing the programme to be tailored to the yacht’s actual systems, handling characteristics and equipment. Depending on the owner’s experience and objectives, training may include:
- Vessel familiarisation and routine checks
- Engine starting, shutdown and basic monitoring
- Berthing, unberthing and manoeuvring in confined waters
- Anchoring and mooring procedures
- Sail handling and basic sailing procedures
- Navigation, passage planning and weather awareness
- Use of electronic navigation equipment
- Safety equipment and emergency procedures
- Electrical, fuel, water and domestic systems
- Maintenance routines and defect recognition
- Crew communication and onboard organisation
For prospective owners, training can also provide a practical introduction to yacht ownership before a purchase is made. This can help the future owner better understand vessel types, operating demands, maintenance responsibilities and the level of experience required. The purpose of the training is not only to improve boat-handling skills, but also to develop confidence, situational awareness and safe operating habits.
Maritime Consultancy &
Yacht Care
BALYAT Marine provides independent consultancy and practical yacht-care services for yacht owners and prospective buyers who require technical and operational support during the purchase, ownership, maintenance, seasonal lay-up or improvement of a vessel.
Boat-Buying Consultancy
Buying a yacht involves more than selecting a model and agreeing on a price. BALYAT Marine can assist prospective buyers in defining their requirements, comparing suitable vessels, reviewing available information and identifying practical concerns before committing to a purchase.
Support may include:
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Defining the intended use and appropriate vessel type
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Reviewing listings, specifications and available records
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Comparing shortlisted yachts
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Identifying potential maintenance and operating implications
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Coordinating the survey and sea-trial process
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Assisting with technical questions during negotiations
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Preparing an initial ownership and maintenance plan
The final purchasing decision remains with the client, while BALYAT Marine provides independent technical and practical guidance.
Documentation Support
BALYAT Marine can assist owners and buyers in reviewing and organising vessel-related documentation, including ownership records, registration documents, equipment manuals, service records, maintenance histories, inventories and survey reports.
Where legal, regulatory, tax or flag-state advice is required, the client may be referred to an appropriately qualified professional or authorised organisation.
Maintenance Planning
Owners can be supported in developing structured maintenance programmes based on the vessel’s age, construction, machinery, systems and intended use.
This may include the preparation of maintenance schedules, priority work lists, seasonal preparation plans, lay-up and recommissioning checklists, and recommendations for specialist inspection or servicing.
Refit and Repair Consultancy
BALYAT Marine can assist owners before and during refit, repair or improvement projects. Services may include defining the required work, preparing a structured work list, reviewing quotations, comparing proposed solutions and monitoring progress on behalf of the owner.
Support can also be provided during sea trials, system testing and final handover following completion of the work.
Winterisation and Recommissioning
BALYAT Marine provides winterisation planning and coordination for yachts entering seasonal lay-up, reduced use or storage ashore. The scope is determined according to the vessel’s machinery, onboard systems, storage conditions and manufacturers’ instructions.
Winterisation may include:
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Preparing engines and generators through authorised technicians
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Checking fuel, cooling, lubrication and exhaust requirements
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Preparing freshwater, hot-water and sanitation systems
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Inspecting batteries, charging and shore-power arrangements
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Checking bilges, pumps, seacocks and visible leakage
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Closing and checking gas installations where appropriate
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Removing or protecting sails, ropes, cushions and loose equipment
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Arranging ventilation and protection against damp and mildew
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Checking covers, hatches, mooring lines and fenders
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Preparing a seasonal maintenance and inspection schedule
Before the vessel returns to service, BALYAT Marine can also coordinate recommissioning, including technical servicing, system checks, cleaning, safety-equipment review and preparation for the owner’s arrival or the start of the boating season.
Yacht Care and Look-After Service
BALYAT Marine provides scheduled yacht care and look-after services for owners who cannot visit their vessels regularly or require a reliable local point of contact. The frequency and scope of visits are agreed according to the vessel, its berth, onboard systems and the owner’s requirements.
Routine visits may include visual checks of mooring lines, fenders, covers, exterior condition, bilges, water ingress, shore-power connections, battery charging, ventilation and onboard security. Selected equipment may also be checked where agreed. Owners receive a brief written and photographic update, with any concern reported promptly.
Look-after visits may include:
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Mooring-line, fender and cover checks
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Bilge and visible water-ingress checks
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Shore-power and battery-charging observations
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Ventilation, hatches and general security checks
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Visual inspection of machinery and technical spaces
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Checks before or after adverse weather, where agreed
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Coordination of maintenance and specialist services
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Written and photographic updates to the owner
At the owner’s request, BALYAT Marine can also coordinate cleaning, refuelling, freshwater replenishment, authorised technical work and preparations before arrival. Specialist diagnosis and repairs are referred to appropriately qualified technicians with the owner’s approval.
Interior and Exterior Yacht Cleaning
BALYAT Marine provides or coordinates regular and one-off cleaning services to keep vessels clean, presentable and ready for use. The scope is tailored to the vessel’s size, condition, construction and surface materials, using appropriate marine cleaning products and methods.
Exterior cleaning may include freshwater washdowns, removal of salt and dirt, and cleaning of decks, cockpit areas, windows, stainless-steel fittings, exterior upholstery and accessible superstructure surfaces. Interior cleaning may include cabins, saloon, galley, heads, windows, timberwork, upholstery, vacuuming and waste removal, together with attention to damp, odour or mildew.
Specialist work such as polishing, waxing, gelcoat restoration, teak treatment, stain removal, upholstery treatment or deep cleaning can be assessed separately and arranged where required. Photographic updates may be provided when the owner is away from the vessel.
General Ownership Consultancy
Practical advice is available for owners dealing with the day-to-day responsibilities of yacht ownership, including vessel operation, safety, maintenance priorities, equipment selection, preparation for longer passages and coordination with boatyards, technicians and service providers.