Simex International
A Fort Lauderdale Marine Surveyor Company

Fort Lauderdale Marine Surveyors – Simex International was founded in 1977, we have been involved in condition, insurance, evaluation and damage surveys in many parts of the world, notably in the Caribbean, South America, many European countries and the Far East. We conduct insurance surveys for a number of major insurance companies and our survey reports are accepted universally by insurance and finance companies worldwide, including Lloyds of London. We currently service Fort Lauderdale and other Florida areas.

Captain Paul Squire is the Senior Surveyor, with better than 40 continuous years of experience as a mariner, Project and Yacht Manager. His associate, rigger Philippe See is an experienced and skilled mariner. Philippe’s expertise lies in the field of rigging, multihulls and composites and he is regularly used as a consultant and for rigging inspections. His written comments and advice go out under the company’s letter head.

In the last few years, the catamaran market has become a focus of interest, and we have been fortunate enough to have received many commissions to survey both sailing and motor multihulls. In our group there are two of us who have a great deal of experience in both building and sailing these vessels, and have done many deep sea passages on them. We are reasonably well connected to some of the cutting edge designers in England and France, who are a continuing source of valuable technical information.

The custom yacht building industry is doing well, and again we are fortunate in being called in to survey and consult on them. The product of Bennetti, Burger, Palmer Johnson, Abeking & Rasmussen, Devries Lentsch and Broward yards are among some of the yachts we have inspected. In addition, we carry out Audio Gauge Surveys on small commercial craft and barges, which include the Jungle Queen and Musette series.

We are familiar with the majority of the European boat manufacturers and designers and have surveyed most of the production yachts available in the United States, such as Morgan, Swan, Sunseeker, Dufour, Bertram, Chris Craft, Sea Ray, Tartan, Ericson, Camper & Nicholson, Cheoy Lee, Beneteau, Hinckley, Columbia, Hatteras, Bristol, Wellcraft, Endeavour, Trojan, Uniflite, Gulfstar, Carver, Mayotte, Jeanneau, etc.

We have extensive knowledge of boat building materials and techniques, from wood construction, through fiberglass and composites, to steel, aluminum and ferro-cement. In many cases we have been involved as Project Managers of new construction as well as major refitting and refurbishments projects. In respect of these, we are always pleased to discuss structural and design features with owners and prospective buyers to provide independent assessments. We have considerable experience in conducting and interpreting thickness testing (recommended on the bottom of steel and aluminum vessels), moisture testing on wood, fiberglass and composite vessels, osmosis inspections in respect of fiberglass and composite structures, fissure testing on welds and wire terminals, fuel tank moisture assessment, etc.

On some vessels, we recommend that specialist accredited marine surveyors are called in to inspect electrical installations and electronics. Engine surveys are recommended for all classes for vessel. We are able to offer a list of these surveyors for clients to choose from. We are available for consultation on any points clients may wish to discuss, and to intercede as Project Managers for repair or refit work.

Condition and Valuation surveys cover all structural components: hull, frames, engine beds, mast support, rigs, etc., as well as inspection of through-hulls, hoses, fire extinguishers, LP gas systems, tankage, propellers and shafts, bilge pumps and much more. We list details of problem areas and our recommendations for safety, improvements and repair.

In most cases a survey report will be required by both finance and insurance companies, and a buyers survey covers both of the these plus giving the buyer maximum information on the vessel. This also includes an approximate market and replacement value.

We are occasionally called upon to conduct Damage Surveys for insurance companies, and other interested parties. When vessels have been involved in an incident – grounding, sinking, collision, fires or equipment failure etc., or any combination of the foregoing – a surveyor will be asked to provide an opinion, both as to probable cause, and costs to repair, or replace, the damage. This will help insurance companies to decide whether to write off the vessel, or to cover, repair or replace damaged gear.

If you are looking for a Fort Lauderdale Marine Surveyor, be sure to give Captain Paul a call!