Business Details
Trusted Marine Surveyors in Chesapeake, VA
With over four decades of experience in the marine and diving industry, we are a trusted authority in marine surveying and consulting. Our founder, Captain Frank Lanier, brings a 28-year Coast Guard career and a 100GT masters license to every inspection, ensuring unparalleled expertise in vessel safety and compliance. Specializing in power, sail, recreational, and commercial vessel surveys, we provide comprehensive services including USCG Small Passenger Certification, FCC electronics inspections, and corrosion assessments. Our teams deep technical knowledge is complemented by extensive authorship in leading marine publications, cementing our reputation as industry leaders. From hull moisture readings to vessel response plan development, we deliver meticulous attention to detail and actionable insights tailored to each clients needs.Our commitment to education extends to vessel familiarization training, empowering owners to understand and maintain their systems effectively. With a global track record spanning the Atlantic, Caribbean, and South Pacific, we combine hands-on experience with rigorous accreditation through the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors. Whether inspecting historic vessels like the 1903 Friendship Sloop INTEGRITY or modern commercial fleets, our focus remains on safety, reliability, and client satisfaction. We pride ourselves on transparency, offering free boating seminars and practical guidance to address the complex challenges of marine operations.
Services
Marine Surveys
Commercial Cargo Inspections
Corrosion Surveys
USCG Certification Assistance
FCC Electronics Inspections
Vessel Training
Highlights and features
- We offer 40 years of specialized marine industry expertise.
- Our team holds SAMS accreditation and USCG-certified vessel experience.
- We provide actionable insights through detailed corrosion and structural assessments.
- Our founder is a published expert in marine electronics and seamanship.
- We deliver hands-on training for vessel systems maintenance and troubleshooting.
Associations and certifications
- Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors
Services
Marine Surveys
We conduct thorough marine surveys for power, sail, recreational, and commercial vessels. Our inspections cover structural integrity, mechanical systems, and safety compliance. Clients receive detailed reports to ensure operational reliability and regulatory adherence.
USCG Certification
Specialized assistance with USCG Small Passenger Certification for inspected vessels. We guide owners through regulatory requirements, ensuring safety standards and documentation meet federal mandates for commercial operations.
Corrosion Surveys
Our corrosion surveys identify structural vulnerabilities in metal hulls using advanced testing methods. This service helps prevent costly damage and extends vessel lifespan through targeted maintenance recommendations.
FCC Inspections
We perform FCC-certified electronics inspections to ensure marine communication systems meet regulatory standards. This includes radar, radio, and navigation equipment evaluations for safety and performance.
Vessel Training
Customized training programs teach owners and crews to operate and maintain vessel systems effectively. Topics include emergency procedures, system diagnostics, and preventive maintenance strategies.
People
Captain Frank Lanier
Marine Surveyor & Founder
A 28-year Coast Guard veteran with 40 years in marine industries, Captain Lanier holds a 100GT masters license and FCC electronics certification. He specializes in vessel safety, regulatory compliance, and technical authorship.
Questions
Why hire a marine surveyor?
A marine surveyor identifies safety risks, ensures regulatory compliance, and provides detailed insights to protect your investment and crew.
What types of surveys do you offer?
We provide condition assessments, insurance surveys, USCG certification, corrosion evaluations, and specialized inspections for commercial and recreational vessels.
Do you serve commercial fleets?
Yes, we offer cargo equipment inspections, vessel response plans, and compliance assistance tailored to commercial maritime operations.
Can you help with USCG certification?
We specialize in USCG Small Passenger Certification, guiding clients through documentation, safety requirements, and inspection processes.
Are your services available internationally?
Our expertise spans the Atlantic, Caribbean, and South Pacific, with experience on diverse vessel types in global maritime environments.
Reviews (5)
Saylor Guy
Jun 17, 2022
Report
If you're looking for a marine surveyor in the Norfolk area, Frank is the one to call. He's quick to respond to your questions, and has a wealth of knowledge. I was very pleased with how thorough and careful he was when surveying the boat I eventually purchased. The information he provided in his report was very detailed and gave good insight into the boat. If I'm interested in another boat in his area, I'll be calling him again
Delia Stubbs
May 26, 2022
Report
Captain Lanier conducted a survey on a Catalina 310 that I bought last year and I was very impressed by his professionalism, thoroughness and attention to detail. I was unable to attend the survey due to some unexpected health issues and I felt more than confident relying on Captain Lanier's survey and recommendations. He promptly called me after the survey concluded to give me his verbal impressions and then followed-up with a detailed report.
I ended up purchasing the boat (sight unseen!) and haven't regretted that decision once. I've referred back to his report many times and shared it with my technicians all of whom remarked on how well done the survey was (and the report). I'm a long-time sailor but a first time boat owner and having the benefit of Captain Lanier's review and recommendations has proven invaluable to me. I would highly recommend his services to anyone who is in need of a marine survey. Not only is he an expert in his field, he's also a pleasure to work with.
I ended up purchasing the boat (sight unseen!) and haven't regretted that decision once. I've referred back to his report many times and shared it with my technicians all of whom remarked on how well done the survey was (and the report). I'm a long-time sailor but a first time boat owner and having the benefit of Captain Lanier's review and recommendations has proven invaluable to me. I would highly recommend his services to anyone who is in need of a marine survey. Not only is he an expert in his field, he's also a pleasure to work with.
Jay
May 16, 2022
Report
I would not hesitate to use Capt. Lanier's services in the future. He surveyed a boat I intended to purchase. He was extremely thorough and knowledgeable, and it was clear he had my best interests in mind. He was professional and made sure he educated me about things as he went through the boat inside and out and underneath. In the end I walked away from the vessel. He saved me thousands of dollars.
Scott Richman
Apr 06, 2022
Report
Frank is the most professional marine surveyor I have ever worked with. His attention to detail and thoroughness during a recent pre-purchase survey he performed on an older sailboat for me was excellent. Not all surveyors are created equal. It is an excellent feeling to have a great surveyor in your corner when considering a boat. In addition to being thorough he really knows what he is doing based on decades of real-world experience in the marine industry.
He answered all my questions and I learned a lot during the process. The survey report is very accurate and detailed. It has been very helpful both for final negotitations with the seller, and informing me so that I understand the scope and priority of repairs required. Frank also went the extra mile to accommodate my schedule when my haulout did not go to plan. Excellent job and many thanks. v/r Scott
He answered all my questions and I learned a lot during the process. The survey report is very accurate and detailed. It has been very helpful both for final negotitations with the seller, and informing me so that I understand the scope and priority of repairs required. Frank also went the extra mile to accommodate my schedule when my haulout did not go to plan. Excellent job and many thanks. v/r Scott
Mike Fuhrman
Mar 09, 2022
Report
I would highly recommend Frank as a marine surveyor. He is extremely professional and thorough in his survey. While surveying the boat, he would stop and answer any questions I had. He took the time to explain the different systems and his thoughts on them. He crawled through every nook and cranny of the boat, cataloging everything he found, and then had it written up in a very detailed and informative report.
Even after the survey, he stayed in regular contact with me, answering questions I had about the boat. I have learned a lot from talking to him and reading the articles on his website. Frank's services might be slightly more expensive than other surveyors, but you definitely get what you pay for. Frank's survey is money well spent, you will not be disappointed!
Even after the survey, he stayed in regular contact with me, answering questions I had about the boat. I have learned a lot from talking to him and reading the articles on his website. Frank's services might be slightly more expensive than other surveyors, but you definitely get what you pay for. Frank's survey is money well spent, you will not be disappointed!
