A maritime expert is a consultant and technician qualified to provide a technical opinion in order to analyse maritime and inland waterway matters. They may be accredited as a court-appointed expert and thus assess the cause and extent of damage to vessels, cargo, ports, etc.

Qualities and skills

• Rigor and method
• Organisation and analysis
• Objectivity, integrity and intellectual probity
• Willingness to travel long distances
• Knowledge of maritime technologies
• Determine the causes of an incident and then assess the extent of the damage
• Provide technical advice
• Ability to summarise and write clearly
• Advising on cargo matters
• For specialist surveyors: precise technical knowledge (e.g. mechanics, composites, rigging, paintwork, financial valuation, etc.)

Levels of education and training

The profession of maritime surveyor encompasses a wide variety of profiles and career paths. The vast majority have extensive prior experience in another sector before transitioning into surveying: engineers (including graduates of Arts & Métiers), naval architects, qualified seafarers from the merchant navy, engineers from the nautical sector, former seafarers who have changed careers, etc.

However, there are various more specific training programmes leading to specialised certifications, as well as a five-year post-A-level university course: University Diploma (DU) in Maritime Expertise and Maritime Transport, University of Le Havre Normandy

Sectors and organisations

Maritime experts may practise their profession as self-employed consultants, within a company, either as a director or as an employee. They may also act on behalf of a ship classification society. It should be noted that maritime experts, like any other experts, are technical specialists, but are not legal professionals.

Source: LH PORT CENTER – Further information at www.lhportcenter.com