The Yacht Surveyor

'The depth and detail of his report was exceptional, demonstrating a remarkable level of attentiveness and expertise' November 2024.

'I've had experiences with surveyors before but this was a new experience. Theo surveyed the whole boat in a very methodical and accurate manner. I can't praise his work enough and I highly recommend his work to others' August 2024.

'A marine surveyor and seafarer whose approach to assessing potential issues aboard is practical, thorough, and trustworthy' December 2024.

For a professional yacht surveyor in Spain, contact Theo Wakefield Marine Surveys.

My name is Theo Wakefield. I am a British Yacht and Small Craft Surveyor based in southern Spain. I am affiliated with the YDSA and a member of the MSA/BMSE. I survey yachts for purchase, insurance, damage, and valuation purposes. I am based in Malaga and operate throughout Spain and Europe, yet generally cover the coast from Huelva to Murcia on a weekly basis.

I survey sail and motor yachts full time, while continuing to work within other aspects of the leisure yacht industry when possible - typically as a yacht rigger, completing refits, and as vessel manager. This hands on, practical, experienced based approach is vital for a professional yacht surveyor. More knowledge is gained every single day, which translates into perfectly detailed and factually accurate surveys, and advice to each client that is based on experience and understanding.

Academia:

Diploma in Yacht and Small Craft Surveying -

This was attained via practical training, assessment and examination in Ipswich, UK, under tutelage of MSA (Marine Survey Associates - previously the British Marine Surveyors Europe) senior surveyors. This practical training course is the only one of its kind in the UK and refines and hones the practical skills of professional yacht surveying, such as; a methodical approach, thorough examination, and conducting objective testing and assessments.

Sail Yacht Design course completed with the educational provider NavalApp

Surveying Yacht and Small Craft Engines course completed with the educational provider the Maritime Training Academy

Surveying Yacht and Small Craft Systems course completed with the educational provider the Maritime Training Academy

Marine Incident Investigation course with the online educational provider the Maritime Training Academy.

Full and active member of the ABYC and have completed the following online courses and seminars.

Installing Lithium Ion Systems
Lithium Ion Battery Basics
Propeller Selection and Sizing
Surveying Electrical Systems
Understanding and Mitigating Marine Corrosion
Common Mistakes In Fiberglass Repair
WEST SYSTEM Repair Webinar
Marine Risk Solutions
and more....

I am an affiliate member of the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA), affiliate member of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), and associate member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA), and continue to undertake further training courses, as well as setting time aside to reading a library of related publications.

Personal Experience

I have been working in the marine industry for over 17 years to date with extensive past experience in the instruction and coaching of sailing in dinghies and keelboats, and operation of power boats. This moved into the sphere of racing sailing yachts, and crewing on coastal, offshore, and blue water yacht deliveries. Consequently I qualified as an RYA Yacht Master. My interests were then drawn towards the construction, maintenance and overhauling/improvement of yachts, and I worked at boatyards and boatbuilders over several years while holistically restoring his own classic offshore racing yacht. With this experience I was accepted on the practical marine surveying training course hitherto mentioned. This is the only complete practical yacht and craft surveying course of its kind, not a correspondence course that qualify many a surveyor. The course was completed with a merit grade with positive feedback from the senior surveyors.

Since qualifying as a Yacht and Small Craft Surveyor, I have built a reputable business based on passion for boating which values thoroughness, honesty, experience, and continued learning. The success of the business is reflected in the very positive feedback received for my services. See the Testimonials, and the reviews on Google Maps for more information.

Originally I set up my business in the UK but in 2022 I sailed my restored classic Van de Stadt yacht from Falmouth in Cornwall to the Mediterranean, and set up shop in Malaga where I deliver various yacht and craft surveys throughout Spain. Getting attacked by orca whales was not part of the plan but undertaking the repairs myself gave me another opportunity to learn, as well as vastly improving my understanding of something that presents a serious danger to Atlantic sailors.

My ambition as a yacht surveyor is to provide objective, expert insight to every part of a vessel to keep vessel's seaworthy and those aboard safe. This derives from a passion for sailing and the marine environment, and a commitment to improve safety aboard and in the industry as a whole.