New Build & Pre-Delivery
Independent new-build yacht inspections — from keel-laying to delivery.
From contract signing to final delivery, SVG Marine acts as your owner's surveyor throughout the build — independent new-build yacht inspections, stage monitoring, payment-milestone verification and pre-delivery sign-off, giving you confidence that quality, progress and contract terms are managed in your interests.
What an owner's surveyor actually does
Buying a new yacht is one of the largest purchases an owner will ever make — yet most build contracts leave the buyer effectively in the dark between signing and delivery. An independent owner's surveyor closes that gap.
SVG Marine works exclusively for you. We attend the shipyard at agreed milestones, carry out new-build yacht inspections against the build specification and contract drawings, verify quality before defects get hidden under finishings, and provide independent sign-off on payment stages.
We've worked with major European shipyards across motor yachts, sailing yachts and performance catamarans up to 240ft, and can integrate MCA coding examination and tonnage measurement into the build programme where required.
Scope of service
Contract & specification review
Independent review before signing.
Stage inspections
Hull, structure, machinery, systems, finish.
Monthly progress reports
Photo-documented written reports.
Quality control
Defect identification before sign-off.
Payment milestone verification
Independent confirmation before release.
Factory acceptance & sea trials
Attendance and reporting.
Pre-delivery inspection
Final inspection before handover.
Punch-list management
Tracking through to closure.
Coding & registration support
MCA coding, tonnage, flag liaison.
Frequently asked questions
What does an owner's surveyor do on a new-build yacht?
An owner's surveyor provides independent oversight on behalf of the buyer — attending the shipyard at agreed milestones, carrying out new-build yacht inspections against the build specification and contract, identifying defects before they're concealed, verifying payment stages and reporting back independently to the owner.
Why use an independent owner's surveyor?
The shipyard, designer and broker all have a commercial interest in the project completing on their terms. An independent owner's surveyor works only for the buyer — catching specification deviations, quality issues and payment-milestone disputes early, while they're still cheap to fix.
When should I appoint an owner's surveyor?
Ideally before contract signature, so the build specification and contract can be reviewed independently. If the contract is already signed, an owner's surveyor can still be appointed at any stage — the earlier the better.
Which shipyards do you work with?
SVG Marine has new-build yacht inspection experience across major European shipyards in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France and Turkey — covering motor yachts, sailing yachts and performance catamarans up to 240ft.
How often do you attend the shipyard?
Attendance is scoped to the build programme — typically a kickoff visit, then monthly progress inspections, plus attendance at the major milestones: hull close-out, machinery installation, systems commissioning, factory acceptance, harbour acceptance, sea trials and the final pre-delivery inspection.
Can the owner's surveyor manage coding and tonnage too?
Yes. Where the new yacht is intended for commercial use or needs a tonnage certificate, SVG Marine can fold the MCA coding examination and tonnage measurement into the build programme, so the certification is in place at handover rather than chased after delivery.
Planning a new build?
Independent owner's surveyor services pay for themselves many times over.
