Marine Surveying Explained with David Pestridge

Summary

Marine surveying is a fascinating part of the surveying profession that many people never hear about.

In this episode, Nina Young speaks with David Pestridge, marine surveyor and owner of White Hat Marine Surveying. David shares what life is really like inspecting yachts, narrowboats, and barges across the UK.

From pre-purchase inspections to identifying serious structural defects, David explains the realities of marine surveying and how the role shares many similarities with property surveying.

They also discuss the importance of inspection routines, report writing, communication skills, and professional judgement.

Along the way, David shares some memorable stories from the field and explains why he is passionate about helping people understand boats and the marine surveying profession.

What We Cover

• David’s journey from army engineer to marine surveyor
• What marine surveyors inspect on boats and yachts
• The process of a pre-purchase boat survey
• Why routine and consistency matter in inspections
• Common defects include corrosion and fatigue
• Writing clear and defensible survey reports
• Managing difficult conversations with clients and sellers
• The realities of working outdoors and travelling for surveys
• Advice for people interested in marine surveying careers
• Educating boat buyers through guides and YouTube

Guest Links

David Pestridge LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpestridge

Useful Links

• International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) - https://www.iims.org.uk
• Free ebook: How to Buy Your First Boat https://boatchat.beehiiv.com/products/how-to-buy-your-first-boat

Guest Bio

David Pestridge is a marine surveyor and the owner of White Hat Marine Surveying. He specialises in surveys of yachts, motorboats, narrowboats, and barges across the UK.

Before becoming a surveyor, David served for 17 years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as an engineering officer. After leaving the army in 2008, he retrained as a marine surveyor and has since built a successful practice inspecting boats for buyers, owners, and insurers.

David is also Deputy Vice President of the International Institute of Marine Surveyors and is passionate about improving standards across the profession. Through his writing, YouTube channel, and educational resources, he helps boat owners and aspiring surveyors better understand marine surveying and boat inspection.

If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room  

Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn