Survey of Vessels

Abstract

Cooper establishes two reasons for undertaking the survey of a vessel: to comply with a statutory obligation, or to obtain an appraisal for private purposes. Generally the process of survey might be considered based in an unfettered discretion or in personal opinion, creating uncertainty, however Cooper points to the introduction of the Uniform Shipping Laws Code by the Marine and Ports Council of Australia as a solution to this. This paper also looks at the history in Australia of statutory and private surveys for vessels, and the Commonwealth's powers in this regard under the Navigation Act 1912 as amended.