About us
Why Africa Marine Surveys ?
Africa Marine Surveys (Overseas) cvba was created at the request of some major recovery agents and / or Cargo or Liability Underwriters who received unsatisfactory reports from Africa, preventing them from getting a clear and / or reliable picture of the loss and its causes.
Our principals received :
Incomplete reports:
The reports contained no description of the nature and / or the cause of the damage
This information is however badly needed by Underwriters to establish whether the loss claimed is covered or not under their Insurance Policy, particularly in case of insufficient packing…
Furthermore, this made these reports totally useless for the purpose of a recovery action, because it does not specify e.g. whether it concerns salt or fresh water damage, and e.g. assuming it concerns fresh water damage, whether it was due to unavoidable condensation due to heavy weather (making ventilation impossible) or due to inherent vice of the cargo (excessive moisture at time of loading) or due to wrong ventilation by the vessel during the voyage…
Our principals received :
Incorrect reports:
- contained wrong / incomplete figures, e.g. contained “entry warehouse” figures whereas the cover went only until “under tackle”;
- did not mention the “on board” tally figures which under Free Out deliveries are the only binding figures towards the vessel;
- were inflated to match the demands of the receivers : this is FRAUD towards Cargo Underwriters
- were deflated to match the demands of the P&I Clubs : we often come across situations where the P&I surveyor simply runs away when water damage is noted inside the holds of the vessel !!!
- were performed by surveyors also acting for stevedores and / or the P & I Club (representing shipowners) on the same vessel.
Remember: Incorrect reports = incorrect Claims Handling
Remember: Incorrect reports = incorrect Risk Assessment
We at Africa Marine Surveys strongly believe that our Principals should be properly informed about the true situation on the ground. We are the ears and eyes of our Principals on the ground. Without reliable information, our Principals cannot properly evaluate the merits of the claim, and may consequently embark in court actions which they would never have commenced or defended had they received correct reports from their surveyors.
This is why Africa Marine Surveys was created.
