Business Details
30 Years
experience
Trusted Marine Surveyors in Gumdale, QLD
Marine Matters was established in 1996 to provide expert marine surveying services for vessel owners, insurers, and regulators. Our team combines extensive practical experience in boat building and repair with formal accreditation from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). We specialise in condition assessments, valuations, and compliance inspections for commercial and recreational vessels under 45 metres. Our surveyors utilise advanced techniques like thermal imaging and non-destructive testing to deliver accurate, actionable reports. With a network of industry professionals and a commitment to ongoing training, we ensure clients receive technically rigorous and legally compliant advice.Our services span all Australian states and territories, supporting clients from pre-purchase inspections to dispute resolution. We maintain strict independence, refusing commissions to guarantee impartial assessments. Over 25 years, we've built a reputation for technical excellence and client-focused service, adapting to evolving maritime regulations while maintaining core standards of professionalism. Our reports incorporate photographic evidence and practical recommendations, avoiding generic templates in favour of tailored insights. We actively contribute to industry standards through membership in professional associations and mentoring emerging surveyors.
Services
Marine Surveying
Vessel Valuations
Domestic Commercial Vessel Surveys
Consultancy
New Build Progress Reports
Maintenance Scope of Work
Condition Reports
Expert Witness Reports
Positive Floatation Testing
Dispute Resolution
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of specialist marine surveying experience since 1996
- Our surveyors hold current AMSA accreditation for multiple construction materials
- We combine shipwright expertise with advanced inspection technologies
- Our reports include photographic evidence and practical repair recommendations
- We serve all Australian states and territories with a proven professional network
Associations and certifications
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
Services
Marine Surveying
Our marine surveying service provides comprehensive assessments of vessel condition and compliance. Using non-destructive testing methods and thermal imaging, we identify structural issues, safety concerns, and regulatory compliance status. Our AMSA-accredited surveyors deliver detailed reports with photographic evidence to support informed decision-making for buyers, insurers, and vessel operators.
Vessel Valuations
We offer accurate vessel valuation services for financial institutions, insurers, and private clients. Our valuers consider market trends, construction quality, and maintenance history to determine fair market value, forced sale value, and insurance-agreed values. Reports incorporate comparative analysis and photographic documentation to support valuation conclusions for both commercial and recreational vessels.
Domestic Commercial Vessel Surveys
Specialising in AMSA-certified inspections for commercial vessels under 45m, we ensure compliance with National System requirements. Our surveyors assess structural integrity, safety equipment, and operational standards to support Certificate of Survey and Certificate of Operation applications across Queensland and Australia.
Consultancy
Our consultancy service supports vessel construction projects through staged progress certification and compliance advice. We work with builders and financiers to develop payment schedules tied to construction milestones, verifying quality standards and regulatory compliance throughout the building process for commercial and custom vessels.
Expert Witness Reports
We prepare expert reports for maritime dispute resolution, combining technical expertise with legal compliance requirements. Our surveyors provide substantiated opinions on vessel condition, construction quality, and regulatory compliance to support court proceedings or insurance claims with defensible technical evidence.
People
Russ Behan
Founder
With 50+ years in the marine industry, Russ Behan established Marine Matters in 1996. A qualified shipwright and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Marine Surveyors, he pioneered small vessel surveying standards in Australia. He continues mentoring new surveyors while maintaining hands-on involvement in complex cases.
Questions
What types of vessels do you survey?
We survey all commercial and recreational vessels under 45 metres including boats, yachts, pontoons, and tankers, constructed from steel, aluminium, or composite materials.
Are your surveyors AMSA accredited?
All our surveyors hold current AMSA accreditation for domestic commercial vessel inspections across multiple construction disciplines including structural, mechanical, and electrical systems.
Do you provide services outside Queensland?
Yes, we operate nationwide across all Australian states and territories, with a network of trusted professionals supporting inspections in remote locations.
What valuation methods do you use?
We combine comparative market analysis, construction cost evaluation, and depreciation calculations to deliver accurate valuations supported by photographic evidence and maintenance records review.
Can you assist with new vessel construction?
Yes, we offer progress payment certification and compliance monitoring services for new builds, working with builders and financiers to ensure quality standards and regulatory compliance throughout construction.
