Commercial Vessel Surveys

DCV Periodic and Renewal Surveys

Your safety is our priority.

We offer AMSA DCV surveys scheduled at your convenience, ensuring minimal disruption to your operations. With a strong understanding of the Uniform Shipping Laws (USL Code) and the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV), we guarantee compliance with current regulatory requirements.

Renewal surveys are required every five years and involve a comprehensive inspection - both in and out of the water.

Once you've received your survey codes from AMSA, contact us to begin the process. Most surveys involve multiple site visits. Upon completion, we handle the submission of your application to AMSA and can assist in securing a Temporary Operations Certificate if required.

Marine Warranty Surveys (MWS)

At Midwest Marine Surveyors, we conduct Marine Warranty Surveys to assess the risks associated with marine operations and ensure compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and safety protocols.

These inspections are often mandated by insurers, project owners, or warranty providers to reduce the likelihood of incidents, damage, or loss during critical operations.

We’ve played a key role in major MWS projects across Australia, including oversight of the largest tow ever undertaken from the Port of Melbourne - demonstrating our capability and trusted experience in high-stakes marine operations.

Condition and Suitability Survey

Maintain peak performance, safety, and compliance with our comprehensive condition and suitability surveys. Our experienced marine surveyors carry out detailed inspections of hull integrity, propulsion and machinery systems, structural elements, and onboard safety equipment—providing a thorough assessment of your vessel’s condition and operational readiness.

Using advanced inspection methods above and below the waterline, we identify current and potential issues, and offer clear, actionable recommendations for maintenance, repairs, or upgrades. Whether you’re preparing for a charter, meeting regulatory obligations, or evaluating vessel lifespan, our reports give you the clarity needed to move forward with confidence.

Rely on our expertise to help protect your assets, reduce risk, and ensure long-term vessel reliability.

On / Off Hire Bunker Survey

On/off-hire bunker surveys are conducted to accurately determine the quantity of fuel (bunkers) on board a vessel at the start or end of a charter period. These surveys are essential for establishing a clear baseline and preventing disputes between vessel owners and charterers regarding fuel consumption and remaining quantities.

Midwest Marine Surveyors provides precise, impartial assessments to ensure transparency and accountability during vessel handovers.

Pre-Purchase / Condition Surveys

A pre-purchase survey is a critical step in the acquisition of any vessel—large or small—particularly in the second-hand market. Its primary purpose is to provide buyers with a clear, independent assessment of the vessel’s overall condition and operational status, enabling informed, confident decision-making before finalising a purchase.

At Midwest Marine Surveyors, we conduct thorough pre-purchase and condition surveys on all types of vessels, from small private craft and domestic commercial vessels to large ocean-going ships including offshore support vessels, VLCCs, gas carriers, and bulk carriers.

Our detailed survey reports are tailored to provide an honest and practical evaluation of the vessel. Each finding is categorised as essential, recommended, or advisory, giving you a structured basis for negotiations, repair planning, and future maintenance.

Trust our experience to help you buy with clarity and confidence.

Project Management and Consultancy

Refit Consulting & Project Management
Whether you're refitting a pre-owned vessel or upgrading your current one, a major refit can be as complex as a new build. It requires careful planning, expert oversight, and precise coordination to ensure success.

Midwest Marine Surveyors offers end-to-end consulting and project management services for vessel refits of any scale. From initial planning through to delivery, we work closely with you to define a clear scope, realistic budget, and practical timeline—while keeping your operational requirements and cost constraints in focus.

A well-executed refit starts with clarity. We help establish detailed specifications and clear stakeholder responsibilities to ensure smooth progress through all stages of production, outfitting, and preventive maintenance.

Safety Management Systems

A Safety Management System (SMS) is a structured framework for managing safety on board your vessel - ensuring the protection of crew, passengers, and the environment.

All commercial vessels are required to maintain a documented SMS that demonstrates compliance with mandatory general safety duties. This system outlines how risks are identified and managed, and how your vessel’s operations, safety procedures, and maintenance are conducted in accordance with regulatory standards.

Your SMS should be built on a thorough risk assessment of your operations and tailored to reflect the specific nature of your vessel and activities.

Need an SMS developed or reviewed? Contact Midwest Marine Surveyors for expert guidance and compliance support.