What is a Loss of Hire Survey?

A Loss of Hire Survey monitors a vessel's repair progress to accurately determine the period during which the vessel is off-hire — i.e. unable to earn revenue. Our surveyor tracks the technical progress of repairs and validates the time claimed under a Loss of Hire insurance policy.

Why is a Loss of Hire Survey conducted in parallel with an H&M Survey?

Because the same repair event triggers both claims simultaneously. The H&M surveyor assesses the damage and supervises repairs, while the Loss of Hire surveyor monitors how long those repairs take. Having both conducted by the same firm ensures consistent, coordinated reporting with no gaps or contradictions between the two claims.

Who commissions a Loss of Hire Survey?

Loss of Hire surveys are typically commissioned by Loss of Hire underwriters or by H&M underwriters when a Loss of Hire policy is in place. Shipowners may also request them to document and support their time-off-hire claim.

What counts as time on hire for a Loss of Hire claim?

Time on hire refers to the period during which the vessel is actively undergoing repairs directly related to the insured incident. Our surveyor distinguishes between time attributable to the covered damage and any concurrent maintenance, delays, or unrelated works that would not qualify under the policy.

How is repair progress tracked during a Loss of Hire Survey?

Our surveyor attends the shipyard regularly throughout the repair period, reviewing daily repair logs, workshop reports, and progress records. We verify that the work being carried out is directly related to the insured damage and provide regular updates to the underwriter throughout the claim.

Can delays caused by the shipyard affect the Loss of Hire claim?

Yes. Avoidable shipyard delays, material procurement issues, or periods of inactivity that are not directly linked to the repair of insured damage may not be recoverable under a Loss of Hire policy. Our surveyor identifies and documents these periods clearly in our report, providing the underwriter with the evidence needed to assess the valid claim period.

Do you operate worldwide for Loss of Hire Surveys?

Yes. We are available for Loss of Hire survey assignments worldwide 24/7. Based in Nantes, France, with access to an international airport, we can typically mobilise within 24 to 48 hours.

Our Services

Loss of Hire Surveys

Accurate, independent tracking of repair progress and time on hire — ensuring your Loss of Hire claim is supported by clear, defensible evidence.

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When a vessel is taken out of service for repairs, every day off-hire represents a direct financial loss. Loss of Hire surveys provide the independent oversight needed to accurately establish the valid claim period — distinguishing time genuinely attributable to insured repairs from delays, concurrent maintenance, or unrelated works. Conducted in parallel with H&M surveys, our Loss of Hire assignments deliver consistent, coordinated reporting from a single trusted source.

Our Loss of Hire Survey Services

Repair Progress Monitoring

Our surveyor attends the shipyard throughout the repair period to track progress against the agreed repair programme. We review daily logs, workshop records and contractor reports, verifying that the work being carried out is directly related to the insured damage and that the place of repairs is appropriate and efficient.

Time on Hire Determination

Accurately establishing the insured period is the core of a Loss of Hire claim. We identify and document the precise dates on which the vessel went off-hire and returned to service, separating covered repair time from periods that fall outside the policy — including avoidable delays, dry-docking for unrelated works, and concurrent maintenance.

Coordination with H&M Surveys

Loss of Hire surveys are most effective when conducted in tandem with the H&M assignment. West Marine Survey shares on-site presence, technical findings and repair supervision data, producing a unified and consistent record that supports both claims simultaneously and eliminates the risk of contradictory reporting.

Regular Reporting to Underwriters

Throughout the repair period, we provide regular written updates to the Loss of Hire underwriter — summarising repair progress, identifying any issues affecting the schedule, and flagging any periods that may not be recoverable under the policy. Our final report provides a complete, evidenced account of the off-hire period.

How We Work

01
Rapid Mobilisation
We deploy to the vessel or shipyard as soon as repairs begin — coordinating with the H&M surveyor where both assignments run in parallel.
02
Repair Programme Review
We review the approved repair scope and programme to establish the baseline against which actual progress will be tracked and the valid claim period assessed.
03
Ongoing Progress Tracking
Regular shipyard attendance to monitor works, document progress, identify delays, and provide interim reports to the underwriter throughout the off-hire period.
04
Final Off-Hire Report
A detailed report confirming the valid off-hire period, with full documentation of repair progress, any deductions applied, and the evidential basis for the claim.

Who We Work With

Loss of Hire surveys are most commonly commissioned by Loss of Hire underwriters seeking independent verification of the off-hire period claimed. H&M underwriters also engage us when a Loss of Hire policy runs alongside the H&M cover, ensuring both claims are handled by a single coordinated source. Shipowners may request Loss of Hire surveys to document their claim and demonstrate that the repair period was managed efficiently. In all cases, our role is to provide an impartial, evidence-based account of the time genuinely attributable to the insured repairs.

We conduct Loss of Hire surveys across all vessel types: tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, RoRo vessels, offshore units, general cargo vessels, and passenger ships.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Loss of Hire Survey?: A Loss of Hire Survey monitors a vessel's repair progress to accurately determine the period during which the vessel is off-hire — i.e. unable to earn revenue. Our surveyor tracks the technical progress of repairs and validates the time claimed under a Loss of Hire insurance policy.
Why is a Loss of Hire Survey conducted in parallel with an H&M Survey?: Because the same repair event triggers both claims simultaneously. The H&M surveyor assesses the damage and supervises repairs, while the Loss of Hire surveyor monitors how long those repairs take. Having both conducted by the same firm ensures consistent, coordinated reporting with no gaps or contradictions between the two claims.
Who commissions a Loss of Hire Survey?: Loss of Hire surveys are typically commissioned by Loss of Hire underwriters or by H&M underwriters when a Loss of Hire policy is in place. Shipowners may also request them to document and support their time-off-hire claim.
What counts as valid time on hire for a Loss of Hire claim?: Time on hire refers to the period during which the vessel is actively undergoing repairs directly related to the insured incident. Our surveyor distinguishes between time attributable to the covered damage and any concurrent maintenance, delays, or unrelated works that would not qualify under the policy.
How is repair progress tracked during a Loss of Hire Survey?: Our surveyor attends the shipyard regularly throughout the repair period, reviewing daily repair logs, workshop reports, and progress records. We verify that the work being carried out is directly related to the insured damage and provide regular updates to the underwriter throughout the claim.
Can shipyard delays affect the Loss of Hire claim?: Yes. Avoidable shipyard delays, material procurement issues, or periods of inactivity not directly linked to the repair of insured damage may not be recoverable under a Loss of Hire policy. Our surveyor identifies and documents these periods clearly, providing the underwriter with the evidence needed to assess the valid claim period.
Do you operate worldwide for Loss of Hire Surveys?: Yes. We are available worldwide 24/7. Based in Nantes, France, with access to an international airport, we can typically mobilise within 24 to 48 hours of your instruction.

Geographic Coverage

French Atlantic Coast.
Available Worldwide.

Based in Nantes and served by an international airport, our primary service area covers the French Atlantic seaboard from Brest to Bayonne. We deploy worldwide 24/7 upon request.