Survey Question

[steveg353]

Well, the survey on the boat we want is a week away. I have a question though.
The seller of this boat lives out of state so the seller’s broker will be present for the survey...along with me and the surveyor.
In my "buyers information sheet" it states for the water trial:
"If deemed necessary, a licensed captain may be retained to pilot the vessel"
Approx cost for this service $50.00 per hour.
The boatyard for haul out is about 3.5 hours away so this survey and water trial could run 7-10 hours...up to a $500.00 charge for a captain.
My question is:
Who deems it necessary?
Who pays the captains charges?
I know each sell is different but what is customary or conventional?

I intend on asking the broker but wanted second opinions first.

[PBzeer]

When I did the survey on my present boat, there was the surveyor, a broker from the selling brokerage who was assisting me, but not the listing broker, and myself (the buyer lived out of town). The brokerage firm's representative captained the boat for the sea trial. Usually, in the case of an out of town seller, the brokerage is authorized to captain the vessel, in my experience.

[steveg353]

But does authorized also mean responsible for?
What I mean is, the selling broker is not a licensed captain but
the brokerage he works for has one. I get the feeling he is expecting me to pay for a captains service. I was wondering if this is normal.
As I mentioned, I am going to speak with them about this but I wanted to check on here as to what is customary.

Thanks for any info!

[teshannon]

The seller is responsible for the cost of a licensed captain if he chooses to use one, not you. It is intended to cover a situation where the seller cannot be at the survey or chooses not to be. It is at his discretion. Good luck.

[steveg353]

Thanks, I was hoping that was the case. I hope that's how they see it also.