A free Word template for a marine survey findings report: a short report of findings and recommendations by grade, the status of earlier recommendations, and example findings written out in full.
Download the Word template.DOCXA survey findings report is a short report of what an inspection found: each finding with its location, what was seen and what should be done, graded by urgency. Surveyors use it for re-inspections after repairs, for an insurer's list of requirements, or for a report on one system, where a full survey report would be too much.
This page has the template and example findings written out in full. Download it in Word, or read on.
The boat, the client and why this short report exists. A findings report often follows a full survey, so give the reference of the report it relates to.
Follow-up inspection on 30 October 2026 of the recommendations in survey report 2026-118 of 14 October 2026, for the owner and their insurers.
What the report is for, in one or two sentences. Common reasons are a list of findings for an insurer, a re-inspection after repairs, or a quick report on one system.
This report records whether the insurer's requirements R1 to R4 in report 2026-118 have been completed. It is not a new survey of the vessel.
The count and list of findings in each grade, so the reader sees the result at a glance.
2 safety findings, 3 to fix within 12 months, 4 routine. Both safety findings are open.
Every finding written out in full. Each one should let the owner get a quote without calling you, so give the location, what you found and what should be done.
For a re-inspection, each earlier recommendation with its status and how you checked it.
R2. Replace both fuel filler hoses. Completed. New hoses marked USCG Type A1 seen, double clamped. Yard invoice 4471 of 24 October 2026 seen.
Your name, accreditation, signature and date.
Each finding says what the system is, where it is, what was found and what should be done, with a grade for how urgent it is. These are written the way Axsail writes them from what the surveyor says on board.
Two broken strands where the cable leaves the quadrant.
Recommendation: Replace the steering cable before the vessel is next underway.
Locker drain blocked with debris. Gas from a leak would collect in the locker.
Recommendation: Clear the drain and check it runs freely to the outside above the waterline.
Several connections made with household twist-on connectors.
Recommendation: Replace with crimped marine terminals and heat shrink.
Two bases move by hand. Sealant failed.
Recommendation: Remove, rebed and fit backing plates if missing.
Pump works. Handle stowed below, out of reach from the helm.
Recommendation: Stow the handle in a holder by the pump.
A good finding answers four questions: what it is, where it is, what's wrong with it and what to do about it. The grade answers a fifth, how soon. If the owner can send the finding to a yard and get a quote back without anyone calling you, it's written well.
Avoid findings that only describe. "Seacock stiff" leaves the owner guessing. "Cockpit drain seacock seized in the open position; free and service or replace before relaunch" tells them what to book.
Axsail writes findings in this shape from what the surveyor says on board, and asks for what's missing, such as a reading or a location, while they're still standing there. See how it works, or our guide to the marine survey report for how findings fit into a full report.
A short report that lists the findings and recommendations from an inspection, each graded by urgency, without the full survey around it. Surveyors use it for re-inspections after repairs, for an insurer's list of requirements, or for a report on one system.
Say which system and component it is, where it is on the boat, what you saw or measured, and what should be done, then grade it by urgency. "Corrosion noted" can't be priced. "Two broken strands in the steering cable at the quadrant; replace before the vessel is next underway" can.
In this template, A is a safety or compliance deficiency to fix before the vessel is next underway, B is a deficiency to fix within about 12 months, and C is routine maintenance or a note. Many surveyors use similar three-level scales with their own names.
Yes. Download it, add your logo and terms, and use it for your own surveys. No sign-up.
Dictate as you inspect. Axsail builds the findings and the report for your signature
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